I can't say enough good things about this event. Needless to say, it was a blast. I had been disappointed in my performance last year and really had been focusing on improving my time and maybe getting a podium spot for my age group. The race is a Sprint tri with a 400 meter Swim, 20K (12 mile) bike and a 5K (3.1 mile) run. With this in mind, I worked on my bike and run speed as I figured I am not likely to get any faster in the water. Also, practiced transitions and dismounting off the bike. I also had done the Socorro, New Mexico triathlon as a practice event and felt good with my progress one month out. After 4 years of doing triathlon, I have been able to have steady improvements which has made for a great journey. My first was the Girl Scout triathlon at the Ascarate pool which was a reverse tri which they called F1 format with 1.5 mile run, 6 mile bike, 1.5 mile run, another 6 mile bike and then an 800 meter swim at the end. On that Labor day weekend, I was 2nd to the last participant and took me 2 hours to complete. (Bobby G. did it in a little less than 1 hour). On this Sunday, I was thrilled to have come away with 3rd place in my age group (45-49) with a time of 1:08:52. For those who are still with me and interested in more details, I will gave my race report.
The organizers improved several things from last year and one of those is to organize a package pick up on the west side of El Paso at the Coney Island Restaurant on the Thursday before the race. On Sunday AM headed out to the Tigua Indian Reservation recreation center at 0500 and was there by 0530 setting up my transition. After that, got body marked and picked up the timing chip for the left ankle. At 0700 we had a pre-race instructions and they started at 0730 with the first 50 people and as I was 190, I got ready to line up. There was a little bit of a wait as they allowed 10 seconds between athletes to jump in the pool. I talked to Rob L. (188) and Flip L. with his captain america swim trunks. Before I knew it, it was my turn to jump in and there I went.
The Swim 400 meters 9:06
I started as fast as I could but had to slow down a bit because I felt a little winded. I also got some water in my goggles and had to readjust. The pool is 50 meters so you swim one length and change lanes for a total of 8 lengths. I passed a few people along the way but there was plenty of room. Last year, my swim time was 9:24 so I improved very slightly. This is the portion of the triathlon where I could really use some improvement.
T1 0:56.8
I exited the pool and ran to T1, not jogged but ran. I had practiced this before and knew I could do it without passing out. Got to transition and put on the race belt, next shoes, helmet, and last sunglasses in that order. Off the start of the bike. My bike was next to the start as I had arrived early so that helped. This year, I did not bother with any shirts and significantly cut my T1 time from last years abysmal 2:30. Looking over the top 10 male finishers, their T1s were between 0:45 (Bobby G.) and 1:10.
The Bike 20K 32:57 Avg. speed 23mph
I clipped in and started out cautiously as there was a 90 degree sharp turn as you head out on Socorro road. I felt really rested and recovered which allowed me to take off faster in the beginning. I passed several people and was looking at their numbers and calves for age. I had to be careful not to draft as there was a good size group riding in front of me. There was great crowd support and a HS band was playing. The road was closed to traffic but there was 1 loose dog that could have caused an accident. I caught up to Rob. but I couldn't pass him for a while. I made a move but he passed me again just before the turn around. At the turnaround as I slowed down, I ate a gu and drank from my brand new water bottle which sits on the aero bars. Really cool little gadget. On the way back there was a slight tail wind so I again sped up and caught up to Rob and passed him again. I began to loose speed towards the end and got passed again. At this point I figured I best save some energy for the run and so I focused on increasing my cadence and easing the gears to wash off lactic acid before the run. (I read about that somewhere). Finished the gatorade as I arrived to T2. Last year, I raced the same course in 36:10, so a big improvement which was reflected in my total time.
T2 0:49.9
I had a great dismount off the bike leaving my shoes on the pedals. Carried my bike as I ran barefoot to my transition area. Got the helmet off, then cap on and put the Spira XLTs with elastic laces on. Grabbed a Gatorade bottle and ran with it to the start of the run. The top 10 athlete's T2 times were 0:36 to 0:57 so that is pretty good.
The Run 5K 25:02 Avg pace 8:05 min/mile
I started the run and tried to keep my pace around 8 min/mile. The crowd support was great and I specially enjoyed the kids with the water guns who sprayed us. They were very polite and asked first, if you wanted to be sprayed. The course is flat around the nearby neighborhood. I paced behind someone who passed me and was able to keep the pace. I sprinted the last half mile as I didn't want to leave anything behind. If I was going to miss a podium slot, I was not going to have any regrets. I crossed the finish and heard my name called. Got a finishing medal and picked up a delicious chocolate milk.
This was by far my best triathlon finish ever and I feel really happy to have come this far. In my age group, I was 3rd out of 22 and overall, I was 28 out of 205 finishers. The event is well organized and I got to see a lot of friends as this is my home town race. I really wish we could have more of them. For now my focus is on Nov. 6 when I will get to participate for the first time in the New York Marathon. After 4 times being denied entry via the lottery, I finally got an automatic acceptance.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
2011 Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon
With the focus now being the Eagle in the Sun Triathlon in September, I decided pretty close to the last minute to sign up for the Socorro triathlon. It took place August 6 and its an event I highly recommend. More info at http://www.chileharvesttri.com/ The distances are the same as the upcoming El Paso Tri (400 m swim, 12 mile bike, and 5 K run), and I considered it a good training event to get ready for a sprint tri. The focus now is on speed and not so much pacing and endurance as in the longer events.
Left Friday afternoon from west El Paso for the 183 mile drive to Socorro, NM. Got there at 8 pm just in time to pick up the packet at the race venue and then checked in at the Holiday Inn Express which is half a mile away from the starting point. Had a late pasta dinner in a restaurant next door and then got ready for the next days event.
Woke up at 0500 for the 0700 start and grabbed a bite to eat at the hotel. Rob Lovett was there and we finally met in person after following each others blogs. We walked to the venue instead of driving and some people were riding in. Arrived at 0600 got body marked, picked up timing chip, and set up my transition. At 0630 there was a pre-race briefing and then we were instructed to line up according to bib numbers which were based on our estimated 400 meter swim times. They allowed groups of 60 into the pool area and it was there that I met some guys lining up with me. 162 Michael from Socorro and 165 Adolfo from El Paso and 167 Lowry also from El Paso.
The Swim 400 meters 9:32
As my turn arrived, I was instructed to jump in the pool (no cannon balls) and wait for the start. The outdoor pool was around 77 F, wet suit legal according to the official. They separated each swimmer by 10 seconds, a little long in my view, I think 5 seconds is good enough. Felt good to be swimming and passed two people and 1 guy passed me. Not very crowded for me and it was 50 meters out and change lanes for 8 lengths of the pool. Saw Blanca on the side of the pool towards the end and gave her a wave. There was good crowd support and I reached the end feeling pretty good.
T1 1:11
There was a seemingly long run to the transition from the pool. The bike racks had letters on the side, mine was F, and I made what felt like a pretty smooth transition. Shoes first, no socks as I had put baby powder inside to soak up the moisture which I recommend. I did not put on a top to save time for the first time. Helmet, glasses, and then off to the mounting line.
I have been practicing T1 but would really like to improve, the top 10 finisher's T1 ranged from a screaming 38 seconds to 1:42, so I am in the middle of that fast pack.
The Bike 12 miles, 36:04, 20.79 mph average
One thing that I did not know was that the bike course is hilly in Socorro. The first portion has a 90 degree turns and then it is straight up hill for half a mile at 4-5% grade. It levels out a bit but it's still up hill with 2 out and backs where you can see who is in front and behind you. From mile 5 to 8 its out up hill 2-3% grade then the last 4 miles is down hill for the most part with some short inclines. At the turn around point from the second out and back, I had a chocolate GU and Gatorade then went for it the last 4 miles. My speed was up to 30 mph during this portion except for the two 90 degree turns. So the bottom line is expect hills for this event and make up for it on the return. As I arriving to T2, finished my Gatorade and got ready for the run.
T2 0:56
I had dismounted by leaving the shoes in the clips, so I ran to my transition spot and mounted bike, helmet off, cap on, and then slipped on my Spira XLTs for the run. I use no shoe laces and no socks. The top 10 finisher's T2 range was 42" to 52" so not too bad there for me.
The Run 5K/3.1 miles 24:30 pace7:54 min/mile
Felt good starting the run. My goal was to keep my pace at 8:00 min/mile which I found in training I could maintain. The run is flat and after the first mile you run on gravel next to an irrigation canal. It was getting hot by this time but there were some large trees providing shade. At the half way point, I was passed by Michael who was 162 and I had met on the swim line up. He was running faster at 07:30 min/miles. I saw his calf and his age was 47 and so I realized we were in the same age group. I jokingly told him I thought I was going to be second in our age group but now I would have to settle for third. Since he had started the swim ahead of me, all I had to do to beat him was finish close to him, even if he was ahead. I used him to pace me the rest of the run and completed the event pretty satisfied with my time and performance.
Total time was 1:12:13. I was 9th in my age group (45-59) out of 19 men and 65th overall out of 254 finishers. The winner in my age group had a time of 58:14 a 49 year old from Los Alamos. The competition in this event is very strong as the athletes from Albuquerque and Northern, NM are quite fit.
Left Friday afternoon from west El Paso for the 183 mile drive to Socorro, NM. Got there at 8 pm just in time to pick up the packet at the race venue and then checked in at the Holiday Inn Express which is half a mile away from the starting point. Had a late pasta dinner in a restaurant next door and then got ready for the next days event.
Woke up at 0500 for the 0700 start and grabbed a bite to eat at the hotel. Rob Lovett was there and we finally met in person after following each others blogs. We walked to the venue instead of driving and some people were riding in. Arrived at 0600 got body marked, picked up timing chip, and set up my transition. At 0630 there was a pre-race briefing and then we were instructed to line up according to bib numbers which were based on our estimated 400 meter swim times. They allowed groups of 60 into the pool area and it was there that I met some guys lining up with me. 162 Michael from Socorro and 165 Adolfo from El Paso and 167 Lowry also from El Paso.
The Swim 400 meters 9:32
As my turn arrived, I was instructed to jump in the pool (no cannon balls) and wait for the start. The outdoor pool was around 77 F, wet suit legal according to the official. They separated each swimmer by 10 seconds, a little long in my view, I think 5 seconds is good enough. Felt good to be swimming and passed two people and 1 guy passed me. Not very crowded for me and it was 50 meters out and change lanes for 8 lengths of the pool. Saw Blanca on the side of the pool towards the end and gave her a wave. There was good crowd support and I reached the end feeling pretty good.
T1 1:11
There was a seemingly long run to the transition from the pool. The bike racks had letters on the side, mine was F, and I made what felt like a pretty smooth transition. Shoes first, no socks as I had put baby powder inside to soak up the moisture which I recommend. I did not put on a top to save time for the first time. Helmet, glasses, and then off to the mounting line.
I have been practicing T1 but would really like to improve, the top 10 finisher's T1 ranged from a screaming 38 seconds to 1:42, so I am in the middle of that fast pack.
The Bike 12 miles, 36:04, 20.79 mph average
One thing that I did not know was that the bike course is hilly in Socorro. The first portion has a 90 degree turns and then it is straight up hill for half a mile at 4-5% grade. It levels out a bit but it's still up hill with 2 out and backs where you can see who is in front and behind you. From mile 5 to 8 its out up hill 2-3% grade then the last 4 miles is down hill for the most part with some short inclines. At the turn around point from the second out and back, I had a chocolate GU and Gatorade then went for it the last 4 miles. My speed was up to 30 mph during this portion except for the two 90 degree turns. So the bottom line is expect hills for this event and make up for it on the return. As I arriving to T2, finished my Gatorade and got ready for the run.
T2 0:56
I had dismounted by leaving the shoes in the clips, so I ran to my transition spot and mounted bike, helmet off, cap on, and then slipped on my Spira XLTs for the run. I use no shoe laces and no socks. The top 10 finisher's T2 range was 42" to 52" so not too bad there for me.
Felt good starting the run. My goal was to keep my pace at 8:00 min/mile which I found in training I could maintain. The run is flat and after the first mile you run on gravel next to an irrigation canal. It was getting hot by this time but there were some large trees providing shade. At the half way point, I was passed by Michael who was 162 and I had met on the swim line up. He was running faster at 07:30 min/miles. I saw his calf and his age was 47 and so I realized we were in the same age group. I jokingly told him I thought I was going to be second in our age group but now I would have to settle for third. Since he had started the swim ahead of me, all I had to do to beat him was finish close to him, even if he was ahead. I used him to pace me the rest of the run and completed the event pretty satisfied with my time and performance.
Total time was 1:12:13. I was 9th in my age group (45-59) out of 19 men and 65th overall out of 254 finishers. The winner in my age group had a time of 58:14 a 49 year old from Los Alamos. The competition in this event is very strong as the athletes from Albuquerque and Northern, NM are quite fit.
Post Script
Last year at Eagle in the Sun my time was 1:14:28 in what I consider an easier bike course. With more training, I should be able to improve the T1 time and hopefully the bike and swim. All I need is more motivation on the run. I agree with what Brooks V wrote on his blog, that these events with the chip timing and the swim first (in a pool instead of open water) only amount to a time trial. You never know where your place is along the way to push you to compete.
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