Race Report: USTA National Championships Olympic Distance 9/14/2024 Atlantic City NJ
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Jim Gmail
Sep 14, 2024, 4:18:46 PM9/14/24
to Tricredibles, Robert Morrison, Mike A. Colombo
Competed in the USTA National Championships today in Atlantic City NJ. Best athletes from all 50 states showed up today to race to get on the USA National Team to represent the nation in Wollongong Australia in 2025. About 1400 athletes competed.
So, the 1500 meter swim leg was a time trial start with about 30 waves. I was in wave 10 due to start at 7:10am. The first wave started at 6:20 and about 8 waves went out, then a dense fog moved in over the water that was so dense that they had to delay the remaining starts by about 30 minutes so we could see the buoys. Race was wetsuit legal at 73 degrees, but I was one of the few that opted to go no wetsuit, which turned out to be fine. Anyway my swim took 47 minutes, which was near the slowest of my age group because those guys wore wetsuits, but I made up time in T1.
Jumped on the bike, with a goal to knock out the 24.8 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes. It was a 2 loop course with several turns and 4 turnarounds, plus a mild headwind both times we headed west. Anyway managed to turn the course in 1:19. Averaged 19 mph.
And now the run. The fog delay put us more in the heat on the run due to later start, but it was not too bad. Managed to trot through the 6.2 miles in 1:23. The sea breeze along the boardwalk was nice and refreshing, so no cramping and no walking for whole 6.2 miles.
So, managed to finish in 3:40 (as hoping for 3:30) which was good enough for 17th place out of 22 in age group. Yes, these old dudes were really fast old dudes. At pre registration there were 19 in my age group, so I went in thinking I needed to beat 1 guy to make the national team. Turned out with the late registration and age up that there were 22. Sometimes ignorance is bliss and less stressing.
Good news is that the top 18 age group finishers qualify for the National Team. Australia here we come, maybe.
Reality check: Those pesky 74 year old guys that aged up to 75-79 are tough. First place in age group finished in 2:36. Mike Colombo told me some years ago that some of these guys we compete against are superhuman from another planet, and I can certify that they are among us. Those dudes are still running 8 minute miles, insane.
Still out there toughing it out and representing Tricredibles and USA on the national scene, again maybe.
Still having fun(I think) out there grinding it out.
Y’all keep cranking it out, out there, and see you on the roads and at the races.
Jim
Sent from my iPad
So, the 1500 meter swim leg was a time trial start with about 30 waves. I was in wave 10 due to start at 7:10am. The first wave started at 6:20 and about 8 waves went out, then a dense fog moved in over the water that was so dense that they had to delay the remaining starts by about 30 minutes so we could see the buoys. Race was wetsuit legal at 73 degrees, but I was one of the few that opted to go no wetsuit, which turned out to be fine. Anyway my swim took 47 minutes, which was near the slowest of my age group because those guys wore wetsuits, but I made up time in T1.
Jumped on the bike, with a goal to knock out the 24.8 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes. It was a 2 loop course with several turns and 4 turnarounds, plus a mild headwind both times we headed west. Anyway managed to turn the course in 1:19. Averaged 19 mph.
And now the run. The fog delay put us more in the heat on the run due to later start, but it was not too bad. Managed to trot through the 6.2 miles in 1:23. The sea breeze along the boardwalk was nice and refreshing, so no cramping and no walking for whole 6.2 miles.
So, managed to finish in 3:40 (as hoping for 3:30) which was good enough for 17th place out of 22 in age group. Yes, these old dudes were really fast old dudes. At pre registration there were 19 in my age group, so I went in thinking I needed to beat 1 guy to make the national team. Turned out with the late registration and age up that there were 22. Sometimes ignorance is bliss and less stressing.
Good news is that the top 18 age group finishers qualify for the National Team. Australia here we come, maybe.
Reality check: Those pesky 74 year old guys that aged up to 75-79 are tough. First place in age group finished in 2:36. Mike Colombo told me some years ago that some of these guys we compete against are superhuman from another planet, and I can certify that they are among us. Those dudes are still running 8 minute miles, insane.
Still out there toughing it out and representing Tricredibles and USA on the national scene, again maybe.
Still having fun(I think) out there grinding it out.
Y’all keep cranking it out, out there, and see you on the roads and at the races.
Jim
Sent from my iPad
Jim Bullock
Sep 16, 2024, 9:21:39 AM9/16/24
to Tricredibles, Robert Morrison, Mike A. Colombo
Thanks Guys for all the replies and encouragement.
Just in case some of you guys need a bit of encouragement to stay motivated, there were 2 guys in the 85-89 olympic age group finishing 4:05 and 4:34 respectively. And on Sunday the Sprint distance (750 meter swim, 20k bike, 5k run) national championship was held. There was one competitor in the 90-94 age group. He finished in 2 hours 42 minutes, 3:45/100 avg. pace swim, 12.45 mph avg. pace bike, 16.39 min/mile run avg. pace. Well done Mr. Jim Farr. He's leading and showing us the way forward.
As I have matured, I have come to realize that the only way not to win in a triathlon event is to not show up.
Y'all lace um up and keep on trucking.
Jim
David Lovelace
Sep 16, 2024, 4:21:22 PM9/16/24
to Jim Bullock, Tricredibles, Robert Morrison, Mike A. Colombo
Great message Jim and love the stories. Keep on rockin it out there!
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