Lions Spring Sprint
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674 days
jsk85 posted 26 weeks ago.
Congrats and welcome to the club..."officially".
Unfortunately, inconsiderate people tend to hang around in transition at races where it's not policed well. They just stand in the way and discuss thier race from what I've seen. Happened at my race this weekend. I was in wave 1, so it didn't effect me, but it bothered me nonetheless. Just be as mean as you need to so they get out of your way...if they're not currently racing, they have no right to effect your race.
either way, sounds like you had a solid first race.
1117
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1087 days
Ironmom posted 26 weeks ago.
Congrats on your first race, sounds like all in all it went very well for you!
I would think about mentioning the transition area issues to the race director, politely of course! The sprint I did this weekend had a volunteer posted at the Transition area making sure that folks were keeping out of the way of the competitors, which was really helpful. But generally, transition areas do tend to have congestion and dealing with that is just part of racing. Some transition areas like those of the Seattle Danskin races have almost 5,000 bikes, many of them belonging to first-time competitors who have their stuff sprawled around the aisles, are sitting in the way changing clothes, etc. It's just something you have to figure out how to work around or through in a positive way. Other races with a greater proportion of fast and/or seasoned competitors tend to be much more organized and people more aware of keeping their area neat and keeping out of everyone's way.
Again, congrats and welcome to the wonderful wacky world of Tri!
Blue Skies, -Robin-
http://ironmom.blogspot.com/
5318
Member
1999 days
kylie posted 26 weeks ago.
Congrats on the first race! Like Robin said, TAs are just congested sometimes. I hate when non-racers are allowed in. But at the same time, I understand the desire to get in when done and get your stuff out. As a racer, I try to be very very aware of others still racing once I'm done -- and in fact have been thanked for getting my stuff out of TA before since it freed up space for others who were not yet done (making it easier to rack their bikes, etc). But I don't think that as a racer there is a need to be polite to people not racing and in your way ;) It takes too much energy and your mind should be focused on other things. A loud "heads up" or "coming through" or "watch for racers" should do it.
Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV
Lions Spring sprint in Marlboro, Ma. First ever triathlon so I was super nervous. More the fear of the unknown with the swim and transitions made me really nervous. Plus as always it seems everyone else knows what they are doing when in actuality there are a ton of first timers at these early season sprints.
It was a 250yd pool swim, serpentine style at a local swim and racquet club. The race started at 8am and I think I finally got in the water at 850 so tons of waiting but also nice to be able to see others doin the swim and others strugglin too. First 3 laps Went smooth as far as good stroke and breathing, then I just kinda got ahead of myself. Ended up passing two people and got stuck behind one lady for a few seconds. Total time was 5:23.
T-1 went alright but spectators were floating around the transition area (at this point the race leaders were on the end of their run) and had to yell at one lady to get out of my way. Question-is there a polite way to yell at someone who is clearly in the way during a race, particularly transition? Anyway got it pretty quick but in hindsight should have dried my feet better before putting my socks on for the bike.
Bike was a very hilly 9.3 miles through rural roads. There were some really big hills but that allowed the oppurtunity to fly down the other side. I had a hard time catching my breath on the bike but once I did I had my gu packet and really made sure to finish my water bottle. Finally bike time was 34:19 but this race did not have mats to factor in transition time (maybe this is common). So from the end of my swim, through t-1, and the bike was 34:19. Not great but right about where my training is.
T-2 had more of the same shananigans. As I dismount and am jogging to my area a fellow competitor hanging out (he had already finished) got in my way again. So again had to yell coming through again. He apologized but it made it tough because it just was a unneeded distraction for my first time. Other than that moved quick and got a great jump out of T-2.
The run was a standard 5k which like the bike was a gradual uphill but made for some great downhills. About a 1/4 way through I got a nasty stitch in my side. I have never really gotten one this bad or really at all so it made for a tough challenge. I ran through it and in hindsight think I may have had too much water for such a short race. Despite that I passed alot of people and finished super strong. Finally time was 26:29 and again this included T-2. My times are usually are around 23:00 so I was probally only a minute and a half off of my normal race pace.
Overall great experience and yes I am hooked. The challenges of 3 sports is both exciting and maddening. I realized I have a ways to go but in sprint distance, with a year or so experience I can really make a push for some AG awards. Tough thing for me is that I am new to all these sports and I am in the 30-34 Mens so these are usually your best competitors. Anyways this is the begining and I see no end. Thinking Ironman in 2011 when I can get some experience and I can set aside a year to focus in on what is my ultimate goal. Also to cap off the day I got tickets to game 7 Celtics/Orlando. Unfortunately they lost and really did not play a good game. Oh well I am now a triathlete. :)