NJ State Sprint
522
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231 days
jsk85 posted 5 weeks ago.
Very well done, congrats on a successful first season...solid progress
308
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178 days
diva_mom posted 5 weeks ago.
nice job, socket.
Don't be so easy on yourself 'cause this one might be all that you have left
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1557 days
kylie posted 5 weeks ago.
awesome! Congrats on a good day (an avoiding the van).
Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV
56
Member
513 days
jperubog posted 5 weeks ago.
Congrats Socket, I was there on sunday doing the Olympic distance, the water was great(82 degrees), the bike was flat, and the run was hot, how did you like those nice cold wet towels they were handing out? Even though my race experience is limited, the CGI people know how to put on a great race.
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1638 days
beads1985 posted 5 weeks ago.
Congrats!! Since it is local I might consider doing this next year.
''Nothing to it, but to do it''
http://beads1985.trifuel.net/
469
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468 days
Socket posted 5 weeks ago.
The ice cold towels on the run were amazing, as was the ice cold water. I think my brain went into thermal shock a few times when applied to my head.
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38 days
genec posted 5 weeks ago.
Congrats on your time. I was there too. Ran the sprint last year (it was my first tri) and did OK. Spent 12 solid weeks training for this year's and knocked 15 minutes off my time. It's a great course for the "newbie" - can't wait to sign up for next year (my legs should recover by then).
4
Member
38 days
Monkey Deathcar posted 5 weeks ago.
I did this same race (wave 3 as well). It was my first in 9 years (I was 18 at the time). I did quite well considering events didn't allow for me to train as hard as I wanted. I finished 64th in the field thanks to somebody getting a penalty.
The race was very organized. I was pleasantly surprised. There's nothing to complain about for me.
Swim 7:44
The swim was good, although the water was warmer than I like it. I grew up on a much larger lake with the same water color so that didn't really bother me, also 14 years of swim team didn't hurt. It's a dark bottom lake with poor viability which can freak some people out. I hate to discourage people from doing something like this, but poor swimmers should not do this race. I should be able to do this in under 7 minutes.
Transition 1 2:58
Transition setup was large but easy, the only problem was my time. Forget the shirt, build callouses on the feet so I don't need socks.
Bike 34:04
The bike was flat. I need to pick this up but as an ex-swimmer and runner I knew this was the case before I races. Any advise?... I'm thinking weight training to improve the bike and the swim. Not much to else say. I think I can do this in about 30 minutes if I work on it.
Transition 2 1:58
It's a long run in bike shoes. Get velcro running shoes? Again forget the shirt.
Run 20:43
Flat, had wet towels which was good although I didn't really need them yesterday. Plenty of water along the way. I developed a sidache 2/3 of the way through the run which I've been getting lately. I need to figure out how to make them stop as I never got them when I was youger. I need to continue to lift weights and develop a stretching program to counter my knee problems inherited from distance running until my first year of college. I should be able do this in under 19 minutes with more speed training (i.e. soccer) and bricks.
Finish
Next year if I do the sprint I want to be under an hour (get that bike time down). This year 1:07:25
BIG BONUS
I'm glad pre-race check in was the day before. It helped relieve stress although driving 1 hour up twice in two days hurt the wallet a bit.
For those that don't know there was a drowning. As an ex-lifeguard I don't see how they could have seen him go down in that water. There was plenty of staff, but people have to be responsible for themselves. There were plenty of people that couldn't swim (well) at this event. People that I wouldn't let in the "deep end" when I was a lifeguard.
469
Member
468 days
Socket posted 5 weeks ago.
It's a shame. My fiance found out through her mother who lives in the next town over from the race and asked me why every time somebody dies at a triathlon it's in the water. I told her it's because if you have issues on the bike and run, you just fall down.
It's true that there were more than a couple people taking 25+ minutes for the sprint swim out there, but we can't assume he was just a poor swimmer. I had a close call almost getting kicked in the head by a frantic kicker; he could just as easily have been kicked and knocked out. Suck in some water while unconscious, sink just a foot or two and you're invisible to the life guards. I could have gone shirtless like so many others, but that's the one reason I decided to keep on my bright red tri-top. You never know.
*edit*
Nice times! Maybe next year I'll be doing better than my 9:xx minute miles :-)
381
Member
107 days
jtrimom posted 5 weeks ago.
okay, I have to say, Socket, that I am not a big fan of open water race starts as it is, or the whole open water swimming experience. I just sort of do it b/c I like the triathlon experience, but now, after your whole "possible explanation" scenario, I'm kind of freaked out. Only b/c it can happen to anyone- good swimmer or not. Just get behind a strong kicker and ...great, that's what I want in my head at the swim start :P
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468 days
Socket posted 5 weeks ago.
Sorry. All the more reason to swim faster so you don't get stuck behind someone! ;-P
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38 days
Monkey Deathcar posted 5 weeks ago.
I agree the man who died wasn't necessarily a poor swimmer. I was trying to be more general with that comment, but probably worded it poorly. I feel bad for his fiance, children, friends and everybody else (including the lifeguards). The point I was trying to make is with any open water swim people need to be responsible and realize they're a poor swimmer and get lessons (best option because people should try these types of things) or not compete. An open water swim is worth the risks involved though, I forgot what it was like to be in shape.
Enough seriousness and thanks for the compliment. I want to do an olympic in the spring somewhere and try to break the top 10 next year in the sprint. I would do the olympic but with the later start and longer race I wouldn't be able to take the likely 90+ degree heat. Maybe I'll do a HIM after that if I can get on the bike more.
469
Member
468 days
Socket posted 5 weeks ago.
As was posted in the "NY Times" tri-death thread, it was apparently a heart attack that did the poor guy in. Wasn't it also a heart attack for the guy at Spudman, and possibly the one at the NYC tri?
That reminds me, I haven't had a physical in a couple years...
Back to the living:
Don't know if I'll ever shoot for Top 10, I'd be happy with "upper 25%" :-)
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Member
38 days
Monkey Deathcar posted 5 weeks ago.
Sounded like he was an avid biker as well so I doubt anything was suspected or known about his condition beforehand.
Top 10 is a goal right now for me, but goals can change. The math checks out, but I need to do a better job training.
I think top 25% is a doable goal for anybody with determination. Judging by the fact that you had a PR in all events (impressive), it seems to be a good goal to set for your next triathlon.
This was my last scheduled race of the season and the one I was determined to do the best in. I had no idea how huge this race was going to be; 1023 people in just the sprint!? Wow. Ok then.
Swim:
The lake was bathwater warm compared to my other races, so no wetsuit! I like wetsuits and all, but the free feeling is awesome. I was in the third wave which was M25-29 and M60-65 (I think) which was an odd combo, but it's cool. It was an in-water start and some numb-nut in my wave missed the part about waiting for the horn and just started going, but was way off course anyway. *shrug* That's why you listen to directions and watch the people in front of you.
3-2-1 and we're off. The sun was in the perfect position for me to use as a sighting instrument so I actually went in a straight line! Apparently I swim just a bit faster than I thought and caught up to a lot of people so I had a few close calls with people frantically kicking their feet. 'Round the buoy and over to the ramp, and I'm out of the water with no backstroke!
500m in 12:01 - PR!
T1 was uneventful thankfully, had to run 200 yards to get to my stuff, but it was a giant transition area. Socks, shoes, glasses, helmet, and off I go.
Bike:
Wow was it flat. I probably should have pushed just a bit harder throughout but I was a little paranoid about blowing the run. The only incident here was towards the end when a minivan got on the course. Yeah, not good. I was about 50 yards behind it for a while and when it stopped at a light; I figured the cop there would hold it or re-route it. Nope, just let it through right as I was passing it. The cones narrowed the lane and I started yelling as it almost pushed me into a curb and I had to do some emergency braking. I blew by that jerk as soon as I could. After that I was so pissed off I ran out of gears to drop in to. Back to the park, dismount, and into T1.
11.5 miles in 35:42 - just shy of a PR
T2 was real easy: helmet off, swap shoes, slug some water and out.
Run:
The run was nice and mostly flat. I got a cramp in my side that cost me a minute and unexpectedly ran out of gas about half way through. After the turn around I was walking up the tiny 8' hills and jogging along. Once I knew the finish was close it all went away and pulled some real speed out of nowhere. Crossed the line and out my fiance and her family who came to watch.
3.1 miles in 30:01 - PR!
Total time: 1:24:08 - 513/1023 (2 places shy of dead center MOP) PR!!
I am totally doing this one again next year. It was the most well organized race I've been to, had the best food and atmosphere, and the conditions were great.
Not bad for my first year of Triathlon. Went 6th from dead last to literally middle of the pack and I don't know if I could have done it without all the knowledge and encouragement from you guys. I'm all in for next year where I think I'll do more olympic distances, but now I take a day off and then start training for a half marathon or two.