So, i accidently purchased some new goodies for my bike and races in general... in addition to getting my bike completely overhauled. I mean, it HAD been 1,500 miles since any tune up had been done!
The tune up was first... and when i went out on it afterwards, it felt like a completely new bike. Smooth, accurate shifting and fast fast fast. Not even a week later, i went in and pulled the trigger on getting new pedals, cycling shoes, and aerobars. I won't say how much everything cost in total, but lets just say i wouldn't have made the investment if i didn't intend on competing for years to come.
Lesser purchases over the past week included a tri-belt to attach my bib number so transitions go faster, various HAMMER Nutrition products... including tri shorts, and YANKZ elastic laces for my shoes to help slide them on faster. Back to those later...
So i took out my bike after purchasing the bars, pedals and shoes and it was unbelievable the difference they made. The power i gained from the shoes and pedals put me at almost 5 mph above what i usually rode, and the aerobars made flat rides and down hills far more comfortable and easy.
Now for the REAL story... RACE DAY!!!
Yesterday was finally the Finger Lakes Triathlon that we've been waiting so long for... but race weekend really got started on Saturday with the arrival of the out-of-town athletes! Eric, Adam, and family arrived early in the afternoon and we met by the lake to pick up our packets. Shortly thereafter, Jenny Scott, who is one of my good friends from Italy, came in from Grand Rapids, Michigan. We loaded into the convertible, picked up Eric and Adam, and i showed them the bike route for the following days race. Then i showed them what the course WOULD have been had they not changed it. Needless to say, they were very happy not to have to deal with the massive hill previously on the route.
We then went on a little driving tour around town and then back to my house for a pre-race bbq / dinner / fire. After a delicious dinner of salad, lasagna, grilled chicken and various other Mama Rychlik culinary delights, Adam and Eric went back to their hotel suite and we settled in for the evening, prepping for the day to follow.
Nates Race Day Check List -
- 3 Packs of HAMMER Gel
- 1 Pack of HAMMER Revcoverite
- Bottle of Water
- 2 Bike Water Bottles
- Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Timing Chip
- Speedo / Tri-Shorts
- Stop Watch
- Goggles
- Swim Cap
- Cycling Shoes
- Running Shoes
- 2 Towels
- Chapstick
- Bib & Bib Belt
- Socks
- Bucket
- Bike
- Banana
The day started at 5am, getting hydrated, and making sure everything was packed and in working order before the race. Shortly before 6am Jenny and i loaded up our bikes onto the bike race and headed off to the race site.
After Jenny registered, we headed to the transition area, got body marked, and headed to set up our transition spots. There we met up with Eric and Adam who had already been there for some time.
7:15am - Transition area closes and everyone is corralled to the swim area for last minute instructions and prep for the first race waves. Between 7:30 and 8:15, the Olympic distance races took off on their swim in the nippy waters of Canandaigua Lake. The air temperature was in the low to mid 50's and the water temperature was a brisk 64. Unfortunately, we had about an hour to stand around before our wave was to take off. Plenty of time to stretch, relax, and psych yourself out before the race!
Shortly before 8:15am the first wave of the Sprint race was herded into the water. There we stood for a good 10 minutes. The most conversation starter was "God bless you that you're not wearing a wetsuit. You're either really hardcore, or just insane!" Frankly, at a distance this short (half a mile,) it's not worth it for me to struggle with a suit when i'm only going to be in the water for 15 minutes at most.
The countdown began. 30 seconds. One last pee in the lake. A few last "good lucks" all around. 10 seconds. Finally splashing my body with water in preparation. 5 seconds. The adrenaline starts flowing. GO! We take off.
After a couple minutes we all found our place in the group. A select few Michael Phelps-esque swimmers separate themselves, I found myself just after the lead group with one other swimmer, and the main group further behind me. It was surprising how easy i found the swim this year... well, i guess compared to two years ago, anything would be easier. I didn't train for the swim at all in the previous race, and hadn't swam in about 5 years, since high school... and my time of 19:25 was reflective of that. THIS year however, with nearly 50,000 yards of training under my belt, i felt fast and comfortable (not to mention, numb) in the frigid water. This time around my time was much better. I was top 10 out of the water in my heat in a time of 14:43.
Swim Time 2006 - 19:25
Swim Time 2008 - 14:43
Next came the bike. Out of the water, running to transition was probably my least favorite part of the race. Running barefoot on a jagged cinder walkway on water adjusted numb legs is NOT easy or fun.
Got on my cycling shoes, helmet, sunglasses, Tri-belt and took off. I only got passed once on an uphill climb where the cyclist promptly scolded me, saying "don't get out of the saddle! You'll only waste energy and lose speed!" D'oh! I passed a lot of people and refused to slow down around corners that had signs saying "SLOW DOWN." I ended up hammering into the transition area with a time far better than 2 years ago!
Bike Time 2006 - 46:56
Bike Time 2008 - 40:37
AVG MPH 2006 - 17.0
AVG MPH 2008 - 20.8
My T2 was too long and frustrating. I got off my bike and to my spot fine, but i couldn't for the life of me get my left shoe on. Even WITH the YANKZ, the sole kept sliding to the toe... a testament to me not wearing socks. Damn. So in a transition where i was able to get in and get out in 40 seconds two years ago, it took me 2 minutes this time around. Definitely frustrating.
The run started off alright... it seemed as though my legs would easily make the transition from biking to running, but at about the half mile mark, i started to cramp and my stride was noticeably shorter and less free than usual. This went on until a little after the first mile and then the cramp went away and my muscles started to get accustomed to running. My stride opened up and the remainder of the 5k felt good. I came in with a time literally a mile faster than my time 2 years ago. I had a great kick to the finish.
5k Time 2006 - 28:12
5k Time 2008 - 22:08
Overall, the race was a success for me i think. I didn't finish top 10 overall like i had hoped, but i got through without feeling short of energy and learned a lot about training and proper fueling. I know that i still have a lot of room for improvement and i think i can easily drop 10 + minutes for next years race... putting me in the top 5 overall.
Triathlon Time 2006 - 1:40:16
Triathlon Time 2008 - 1:22:39
My finish this year was good enough for 31st out of 455 and 3rd out of 32 in my age group. I even got a nifty 3rd place plaque!
Afterwards i was waiting for the other three to enter transition, but saw the massage table and opted to get my hamstrings worked on instead. After an after race meal, i planted myself at the chiropractic booth and got my back fixed. From there i went to the awards ceremony.
Jenny did great, coming in 8th in her age group and Eric and Adam both did superb, finishing below 2 hours. This was the first real triathlon for all three of them and i think it's safe to say they have the bug now. Just look at me... i am the face of triathlon addiction. Now i have 3 others that share my "pain." haha.
Next year can't come soon enough and this is going to be a long winter of training without outdoor races. I'll have swim meets, and i still have 2 marathons on the agenda... but it's just not the same.
The next big triathlon on the schedule right now is Ironman Lake Placid... but i'm sure that i'll partake in some before hand as well.
Great job everyone, i'm proud you all made it through after all your training!
Now... let the training continue!
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