John Tanner Race Report

John Tanner Sprint Triathlon
Date of Race: 24/04/2010
Total Race Time = 1h 29m 24s
Overall Place = 377/492
Age Group = Men Novice
Age Group Place = 24/45
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Pre-race: I actually slept well. The alarm went off at 4:30. I got up, let the dog out, and took a shower. I had lain out and packed up everything the night before, so getting ready was a snap. While I feed the dog I posted on facebook that I was headed out to my very first triathlon.

Breakfast was a Mix 1 shake and a Clif bar.

The ride in was awful. It rained, and rained hard. I kept wondering what they would do. Would it be canceled, or delayed. It wasn’t.

I got to the park at about the same time as everyone else. By the time I got registered, chipped, marked, set up my transition area, used the rest room, and put on my wet suit it was less than 10 minutes to start.

Warm-up: With less than 10 minutes to start, I didn’t have a chance to do much of anything. I did stretch my arms as I waited for my group (last group) to go.
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Swim: Last week during the OWS practice I was so out of breath that the thought of the swim started panicking me. But, a friend took me out swimming the Wednesday before the race and had me swim easy, and roll on my back and float to catch my breath that I became less nervous.

I wasn’t too nervous at the start of the swim. I started near the back of my wave, but not last. I felt good and was sighting well. By the first buoy the pack had separated and I was stroking well. I was passing red and silver caps. After the last buoy I did what Coach Jim told us to do. Start kicking hard to get blood to your legs. It sort of worked, my legs felt good, and I wasn’t too dizzy, but my heart rate was spiked and I was tired.

Swim Time: 13m:41s

T1: I jogged up the hill from the lake to the transition area. At the top of the hill I started walking, until I told myself I can catch my breath at transition. I started jogging again.

T1 was bad. Trying to get my wetsuit off I almost fell. Trying to put on my wet socks I almost fell twice. Putting on my shoes I almost fell. By then I decided to sit my ass down on the ground (my butt was already wet). Once on the ground I almost got run over a couple of times.

This was not a good transition. I need to do better.

T1 Time: Due to technical difficulties, unknown. (Long)

Bike: The bike ride went well. I was passing a lot of people (even a few ATC members). The rain made a lot of people slow down real slow on the turns, but I took the turns wide, and kept my speed up. On climbs I rocked. I climbed like a Norse god (not a cool Norse god like Thor God of Thunder or Odin Father of Gods, a small Norse god like Bob God of Virgin Wool (Patron of Ugly Sheep))(hey climbing like a Norse god, even a small one, is still climbing like a Norse god). I barley stayed to the right because I was always passing.

Bike Time: Due to technical difficulties, unknown. Felt great.

T2: T2 was not much better than T1, just less “almost falling”. The night before the race I was going to install a set of Yankz on my shoes, but couldn’t remember where I put them. When I put my shoes on I had to tie them (I don’t know how they became un-tied).

On my way out of the transition area, the number on my race belt ripped, and I slowed to fix it.

T2 Time: Due to technical difficulties, unknown. (Long)

Run: I do not run. I trudge with purpose. The run course was hilly and everyone that I passed on the ride passed me before the first mile. By the time I got to the hills I knew I would finish my first triathlon. I was in a good mood. I yelled “Go ATC” at every green uniform I saw passing me, or coming down the hill.

At the end of the run Coach Sharon was yelling at me encouragements, so I sprinted the last 50 yards

Run Time: 33m:25s
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Post Race: My girlfriend met me at the end of the race and gave me a congratulations kiss. It was nice having someone there. After, she went to visit friends in Carrollton, and I stayed to support my fellow ATC members. The group had a number of members place.

Rate your overall experience with this race: I had a great time. I had more nervous energy after the race than before the race. The whole thing went great for me. It was a great first triathlon. My goal was to finish in 1 hr 30 min or better, and I did. I would recommend Tri the Park to my fellow triathletes (isn’t this cool, I can call myself a triathlete).

I plan on doing all the Tri the Park series this year.

I want to also thank everyone at ATC (coaches and members). I don’t think I could have done it without everyone assistance and encouragement.