Here it is, friends. The UBC TriDu (Triathlon Duathlon) 2012 is now over but my journey in triathlon is certainly not. This was my first triathlon (ever) of a few more this season to prepare me for my road to
Ironman in the summer of 2013. What follows is my race report. So, if you're interested, keep on reading....and if not, no hard feelings, look at the pics and hit the snooze button and we'll see ya next time.
The swim pattern is a 50 meter, down and back pattern that zigzags the entire pool. So, you do one 800 meter set, get out of the water and return to the beginning for another 700 meter set. I was first out of the water in my heat.
Here is a really boring video of me swimming. Watching swimmers is a bit like watching a bad silent movie. You've been warned.
The bike route was hilly but very scenic. It was chilly (not cold), at 6 degrees Celsius. But really, we are in Canada in March....we get used to it. Really glad I used a cycling wind vest.
Heidi, Elizabeth, and Josiah came out to celebrate the day and take iphone photos :) Thanks for the support, guys! After Heidi watched the race she said...next time it's my turn. She was so inspired by all the athletes there she decided that she wants to try it too! You go girl!
No sprint finish for me....just kept my pace right through the finish line.
After the announcer said my name, "Well done, Joseph White, on finishing your first Olympic distance triathlon" I felt a real sense of accomplishment and wondered if the others I plan on doing will feel like this one.
After the triathlon our friends invited us over for a steak dinner, with potatoes and beer to celebrate. I was a guilt free eater that night....and today, my body is thanking me!! Thanks guys!!
My times were:
Swimming - 1500 meters - 32 minutes
Biking - 40 km (25miles)- 1:20
Running - 10km (6.2miles) - 55 minutes
For each individual discipline I placed:
52/180 on the swim
33/180 on the bike
120/180 on the run
Which resulted in:
58th place of 180 Olympic distance competitors (top 32%)
Here is what I learned doing my first triathlon:
- I didn't push it very hard during the swim because I didn't know how much energy I would need to conserve for the remainder of the race. I think I could swim close to a 30 minute 1500 next time.
- My transitions (T1 and T2) went fairly well. I kept them simple and I didn't have to think much. Getting my race shirts on my wet body was tough, but I imagine that was hard for everyone.
- My cycling went fairly well. The 32 racers ahead of me mostly were using tri bikes with aero bars (example, here). Wondering if that would have helped increase speed....but I'm not that worried about it. Not sure I could have shaved much more time here with my set-up on this hilly course.
- My running is SLOW. I have always known that but it's my biggest weakness. For me to be in a consistent top 30-32% in running, as I was in swimming and biking, I need to bring my running time down to the 48 minute range. Right now, my pace is an 8 minute 51 second mile (5:30km). I need to get down to a 7 minute 53 second (4:54km) pace for a 49 minute 10km. Doable? I think so, but probably need some training/coaching partners to get more technically sound and more fit as a runner.
Well, that's all folks!
Thanks blog readers for supporting this blog and following this journey. We do very much appreciate it and enjoy your comments and support via here and on facebook.
