BFAST triathlon race report
mlapke
Date: May 18th, 2002
Location: Hanna Park, Jacksonville, Florida
Distances: .25 mile swim / 10 mile bike / 3 (?) mile run
Weather: clear skies and temps in the upper 70s (mid 80s by end of
race)
water temp was 79 degrees with 3-4 foot waves
Discussion:
This was my 1st tri ever and it was pretty sweet. What an experience!
I must admit that my sociological observations are a bit darker than
my experiences at running races (runners are just too cool) but it was
still was overwhelmingly a positive experience in the pure essence of
the race. I guess I'll start with the bad, get to the good, and end
with the ugly.
The "bad" began way before I even got to the event. On the way to
Hanna Park, where the tri was to be held, I got cut off by several
other tri particpants on their way to the staging area (I could see
the bike's strapped to the cars) and one guy almost drove me off the
road. I couldn't believe what jerkoffs those tri people were acting
like. Most of the pure runners I had encountered in my "newbie"
experience are quite mellow by comparison. I've only been running for
a few months and have done three road races in that time period. All
of the people I had encountered in those races were really cool. My
mood continued to darken once I arrived at the event. In the
transition area, some more idiots decided to fill up the reserved bike
racks out of order. My assigned rack happened to be the closest to the
road so I'm guessing they wanted the slight advantage. I didn't know
what would happen if I put my bike in an unassigned rack so I just
squeezed the bikes together and delicately eased mine within
millimeters of the two on either side. One other interesting thing I
noticed up to this point: not one of the participants had smiled.
Everyone just seemed pissed off!
Lining up at the water, the "good" finally started to filter in. I
was in the novice division and the nervous anticipation as we waited
for our last heat to start was palpable. We cautiously grinned at each
other and quietly wished "good luck" to one another as we waited. The
starting horn fired and we all rushed into the ocean. The image of
being surrounded by fellow triathletes bounding through the whitewater
will be with me forever. The waves were quite high that day (for
Jacksonville) and it was quite difficult to battle through the
crashing waves to the first buoy. Once I reached it, I slowed down as
I was completely out of breath.
The swim wasn't too bad and actually seemed to end all of a sudden. It
was only a quarter mile and the race promoters set it up so we could
swim with the ocean current. I ran up the beach to the transition
area. My once overflowing bike rack was now reduced to two bikes
including mine. Yeah, it really sucked being in the last heat. I
constantly feared I was in dead last place. The TA was barren. I
didn't realize it at the time but apparantly I was in no hurry
what-so-ever in my first transition. My wife said she was watching me
from a ways away and felt like yelling at me to hurry the hell up. I
think my instinct kicked in and my subconcious thought I was coming in
from a surf session. I usually chill after surfing and relax in the
pleasent feeling of having been in the ocean.
Anyway, the bike portion finally got underway. That is *definitely*
my weakest link in a triathlon. For one, I've never been much of a
biker. Swimming and running are my two passions. Furthermore, I
don't even have a road bike... I huffed it on a fat tire mountain
bike. This led to speeds of 12-13 mph into the strong headwind
starting out. I was dying just maintaining that slow pace! A couple
of people passed me (pretty friendly too :-) and then I was alone for
the rest of the way. The way back gave a tailwind and my speed average
increased to about 16-18 mph. There was a really long straight
stretch of road around the half way point and I looked back and saw no
one. I dreaded the thought of actually being last in a race.
After the 10 miles of the bike road race, I re-entered the TA. This
time, there was not too much to do besides dropping off the bike so I
managed to get in and out pretty quick. My legs had no juice at all
and I almost collapsed. The run was supposed to be 3 miles but there
is widespread skepticism about that. There were times in the 11
minute range and even my time was 5-7 minutes faster than I have ever
run 3 miles. My guess is that it was 2.3-2.5 miles in reality.
After about an hour and a half of killing myself, I finally finished
and happily took my novice medal. I was so stoked that I had really
finished. I saw my friend Layne a few minutes after I crossed the
finish line and walked over to say hi. We chatted for a while and
then he held up his forearm. I thought he wanted to compare tans so I
held up mine and looked quizzically at him. My wife pointed out the
huge area of swelling. This is where the "ugly" portion kicked in. I
saw what looked like a tennis ball shoved into his forearm and thought
for sure he had broken it. He apparantly had fallen on a slick
portion of the bike course and collided with a pole. He decided to
finish the race anyway and got it checked out after finishing.
Thankfully, the medics told him it was just a hematoma and not a
fracture.
The results of the race were posted that night and I didn't come in
last but it was pretty darn close :-) Immediately I started thinking
of ways I could shave time off. Of course the lackadaisacle 1st
transition came to mind. Also, I never put more than 80% effort into
any one part. I was too worried I would never finish. Now that that
monkey is off my back, I can put in 100% effort next time. Despite a
relatively negative start, I really had a great time overall and look
forward to my next tri (only 30 days away!).
-Mike
Mike Tennent
Hi Mike,
Sorry your first tri had some bad spots in it.
I can't speak to triathletes being bad drivers - I've never had any
problems, but I usually arrive pretty early before most cars. Maybe
you had some folks who thought they were late.
<snip>
>
> In the
>transition area, some more idiots decided to fill up the reserved bike
>racks out of order. My assigned rack happened to be the closest to the
>road so I'm guessing they wanted the slight advantage.
OK. This one makes me mad. Improperly racking your bike is a serious
(up to DQ) violation. What you should have done was walk back over to
registration, find an official, and lodge a complaint. Insist that
they walk back with you to verify it and remove the offending bikes so
you have room. Next time, do it. It's YOUR rack.
(Don't move an offending bike on your own. Have an official do it.)
<snip>
> One other interesting thing I
>noticed up to this point: not one of the participants had smiled.
>Everyone just seemed pissed off!
>
Hmm, well, if I'd been there, you'd have seen me smiling. <g> The
BFATS is a pretty competitive race and it was the first of the season,
so maybe that was some of it. But some folks do tend to take these
things too seriously.
I admit I probably make a nuisance of myself joking around with folks,
but I honestly don't think a sprint tri is a life and death
experience. I like doing them 'cause they're fun. I go hard, but it
ain't the end of the world.
Ironically, the longer the race, the less "posing" you'll see.
<snip>
>The waves were quite high that day (for
>Jacksonville) and it was quite difficult to battle through the
>crashing waves to the first buoy. Once I reached it, I slowed down as
>I was completely out of breath.
>
Yeah, that's a common mistake. It takes a conscious effort not to get
into that anaerobic state if the waves are bad. With experience, you
learn to stop fighting the waves and take what's there until you clear
the surf zone.
<snip>
> My once overflowing bike rack was now reduced to two bikes
>including mine. Yeah, it really sucked being in the last heat.
Yeah, but at least you can find your bike easily. <g> I'm usually in
the last wave, too. It's tough cause you're at the back, even though
your standing is in relation to those in the same wave as you.
But it also isn't fun if they switch things around and send the older
waves out first. Then you get to be passed by a seemingly endless wave
of youngsters...
<snip>
> Furthermore, I
>don't even have a road bike... I huffed it on a fat tire mountain
>bike. This led to speeds of 12-13 mph into the strong headwind
>starting out.
At least you weren't the only one. Usually there's quite a few at that
series. But it's definitely a disadvantage because the wind is a real
factor on that course, as you found out. You might look at competing
in the fat tire category.
<snip>
> The run was supposed to be 3 miles but there
>is widespread skepticism about that. There were times in the 11
>minute range and even my time was 5-7 minutes faster than I have ever
>run 3 miles. My guess is that it was 2.3-2.5 miles in reality.
Sounds like someone screwed up. I checked the results for the guys in
our club who did it and it was definitely a short course. Or they both
got PRs for a 5K by a good 5 minutes.
>
>After about an hour and a half of killing myself, I finally finished
>and happily took my novice medal. I was so stoked that I had really
>finished.
Cool! Way to go!
I almost died on my first tri, but that was because the swim was last.
I remember crawling out of the water like a drowned rat, laying down,
and having people anxiously ask if I was OK. I was, and after I
recovered briefly, I was hooked on tris.
> I saw my friend Layne a few minutes after I crossed the
>finish line and walked over to say hi. We chatted for a while and
>then he held up his forearm. I thought he wanted to compare tans so I
>held up mine and looked quizzically at him. My wife pointed out the
>huge area of swelling. This is where the "ugly" portion kicked in. I
>saw what looked like a tennis ball shoved into his forearm and thought
>for sure he had broken it. He apparantly had fallen on a slick
>portion of the bike course and collided with a pole. He decided to
>finish the race anyway and got it checked out after finishing.
>Thankfully, the medics told him it was just a hematoma and not a
>fracture.
>
Ouch. I'm sure we'll hear about it. <HINT TO LAYNE>
>The results of the race were posted that night and I didn't come in
>last but it was pretty darn close :-)
> Immediately I started thinking
>of ways I could shave time off.
LOL. Hey, Mike C. Looks like we got another one.
>Of course the lackadaisacle 1st
>transition came to mind.
Yeah, in a sprint, it really does make a difference. If you don't have
velcro on your bike shoes and elastic laces with lace locks on your
running shoes, you lose time because your small motor skills are shot
to hell. You just can't tie your shoes. <g>
>Also, I never put more than 80% effort into
>any one part. I was too worried I would never finish. Now that that
>monkey is off my back, I can put in 100% effort next time.
The key to a tri is the run, but that's set up on the bike. You gotta
go as fast as you can BUT still be able to run. If you totally trash
your legs on the bike, you're dead meat on the run. Experience is the
only way you find that combination. Everybody hurts, but it's how you
balance the hurt that counts.
> Despite a
>relatively negative start, I really had a great time overall and look
>forward to my next tri (only 30 days away!).
>
>-Mike
Hey, I'll see you there. I'll be doing June and July's.
Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"
Ironman USA, 68 days & counting
File Manager
Not to excuse anyone's bad behavior, but most everyone will be a
little more stressed at the beginning of a triathlon than a run-only
race. That's probably because there are more unknowns and more things
that can go wrong (how well can I run after a ?? M swim + a ?? mile
bike?, are my bike tires aired up?, did I remember my swim goggles,
water bottle?, etc.). For a run-only event, I bet most of the
experienced runners can predict their times to +- 3%.
>
>Lining up at the water, the "good" finally started to filter in. I
>was in the novice division and the nervous anticipation as we waited
>for our last heat to start was palpable. We cautiously grinned at each
>other and quietly wished "good luck" to one another as we waited. The
>starting horn fired and we all rushed into the ocean. The image of
>being surrounded by fellow triathletes bounding through the whitewater
>will be with me forever. The waves were quite high that day (for
>Jacksonville) and it was quite difficult to battle through the
>crashing waves to the first buoy. Once I reached it, I slowed down as
>I was completely out of breath.
>
>The swim wasn't too bad and actually seemed to end all of a sudden. It
>was only a quarter mile and the race promoters set it up so we could
>swim with the ocean current. I ran up the beach to the transition
>area. My once overflowing bike rack was now reduced to two bikes
>including mine. Yeah, it really sucked being in the last heat. I
>constantly feared I was in dead last place. The TA was barren. I
>didn't realize it at the time but apparantly I was in no hurry
>what-so-ever in my first transition. My wife said she was watching me
>from a ways away and felt like yelling at me to hurry the hell up. I
>think my instinct kicked in and my subconcious thought I was coming in
>from a surf session. I usually chill after surfing and relax in the
>pleasent feeling of having been in the ocean.
I must say, I've seldom been in, or anywhere near the ocean without a
surfboard. The current is strong enough on the east coast of FL, that
I often walk 1/4 mile or so along the beach against it before I even
go surfing.
Congratulations on finishing and good luck in the future.
mlapke
>
> I can't speak to triathletes being bad drivers - I've never had any
> problems, but I usually arrive pretty early before most cars. Maybe
> you had some folks who thought they were late.
The bad spots really were quite minor... come to think of it, I was a
bit grumpy having gotten up at 5:30 in the morning :-)
> OK. This one makes me mad. Improperly racking your bike is a serious
> (up to DQ) violation. What you should have done was walk back over to
> registration, find an official, and lodge a complaint. Insist that
> they walk back with you to verify it and remove the offending bikes so
> you have room. Next time, do it. It's YOUR rack.
Actually, a race official did come by and take a look. He didn't seem
to concerned and did say that there was nothing he could do. Again,
not really a huge deal to me as I did manage to squeeze my bike in.
> Hmm, well, if I'd been there, you'd have seen me smiling. <g> The
> BFATS is a pretty competitive race and it was the first of the season,
> so maybe that was some of it. But some folks do tend to take these
> things too seriously.
Maybe I'll see you there... I think it must have been a combination of
the "gettin' up too early syndrome" combined with apprehension (esp
the newbies) and finally add a dash of bad-assed competative drive.
Anyway, people did seem to lighten up once we finally lined up.
> Ironically, the longer the race, the less "posing" you'll see.
Well, next year I would like to try an olympic distance tri...
> Yeah, that's a common mistake. It takes a conscious effort not to get
> into that anaerobic state if the waves are bad. With experience, you
> learn to stop fighting the waves and take what's there until you clear
> the surf zone.
I didn't actually fight too hard. I just got totally pumped and went
out at a very fast pace. I was able to duck-dive the waves with
relative ease but I was going at a 50 Meter sprint pace. I had to
backstroke for a while once I reached the 1st buoy to catch my breath.
> Cool! Way to go!
Thanks! Appreciate it...
> I almost died on my first tri, but that was because the swim was last.
> I remember crawling out of the water like a drowned rat, laying down,
> and having people anxiously ask if I was OK. I was, and after I
> recovered briefly, I was hooked on tris.
Ouch... can't imagine the swim being last. I would be more than a
little concerned about having to grab a buoy for a while.
> Yeah, in a sprint, it really does make a difference. If you don't have
> velcro on your bike shoes and elastic laces with lace locks on your
> running shoes, you lose time because your small motor skills are shot
> to hell. You just can't tie your shoes. <g>
Hmmm, I never would have thought of velcro/lace locks. I just have
the old-school lace-em-up running shoes that I used for both bike and
run. I may have to invest in some new toys :-)
> The key to a tri is the run, but that's set up on the bike. You gotta
> go as fast as you can BUT still be able to run. If you totally trash
> your legs on the bike, you're dead meat on the run. Experience is the
> only way you find that combination. Everybody hurts, but it's how you
> balance the hurt that counts.
Yeah, I really shouldn't get too carried away. I don't think I can
take too much time off the bike or swim. I could have definitely
pumped the run a lot harder and plan on it for the June race.
> Hey, I'll see you there. I'll be doing June and July's.
Look forward to it! Thanks for all of your insight and feedback!
-Mike
mlapke
>
> Congratulations on completing your first tri!
Thanks!
>
> Go get 'em ;)
>
> Dot
Will do... I'm really excited about the next event.
MrRobotTow
>bit grumpy
That bike seat thing again? It's ok, that's gotta hurt, even I can have
sympathy for you.
"Make no mistake about it! Without humor, freedom would drive you insane."
Bill
I am so cool, that sheep count ME before they go to sleep.
http://hometown.aol.com/mrrobottow/
Mike Tennent
>
>Actually, a race official did come by and take a look. He didn't seem
>to concerned and did say that there was nothing he could do. Again,
>not really a huge deal to me as I did manage to squeeze my bike in.
>
Oh, man. If there were bikes on that rack that were not supposed to be
there, then he was just incompetent.
Maybe I'll drop them a little note reminding them that since they are
supposedly a USAT sanctioned event, they do have to enforce the rules.
Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"
Ironman USA, 67 days & counting
bikin'
hooked. Before that, I'd only done 2 5K's. Both just 1 month previous.
And had never even run a 3-miler in training before that! So my only goal
in the tri was just to finish. It was a 1K swim, 20K bike and 5K bike.
Like you, I also noticed a difference in attitudes among the racers. Much
more serious, and some even arrogant. But I tend to believe most runners
are very mellow and friendly. And most serious bikers are arrogant and
stand-offish. (And I'm more a biker now than a runner, but I've held on to
my mellowness!).
I raced on a Huffy mountain bike in that first tri. I made it, but it was a
tough 2 hours.
About a month before my second sprint tri last year, I bought a road bike-
low end, not real expensive. But a road bike just the same. (Giant OCR 3).
Made a HUGE difference in the race. And riding has also improved my VO2 Max
and endurance. Did the same race again this year (on a new, improved and
vastly more expensive Trek 5200) and beat my time by a considerable amount.
If you're really getting into tris, Mike, I'd suggest looking into a road
bike. It'll change your training and your tri experience. You don't have
to spend a fortune. You can go with a new bike for as low as 550-600
dollars, or used for a bit less. BTW- Olympic distance tris RULE!!! But
they also leave you writhing on the ground in pain :)
Best of luck,
Brian
"mlapke" <ru2bz...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:38961b1a.02051...@posting.google.com...
: Race: Beaches Fine Arts Series Triathlon
bikin'
"bikin'" <bikeme@-spamsucks-cox.net> wrote in message
news:CTrG8.52550$eD2.1...@news2.east.cox.net...
: Thanks for the report, Mike. I did my first sprint tri 2 years ago and
:
:
MrRobotTow
>hooked.
Threesomes are fun! Was it two girls or guys?
Mike Tennent
>Like you, I also noticed a difference in attitudes among the racers. Much
>more serious, and some even arrogant. But I tend to believe most runners
>are very mellow and friendly.
I'm wondering if part of this may be because there's so much more to
do before a tri which requires a degree of concentration. You have to
find your rack, set up and lay out all your equipment, etc. At a run,
all you need is to make sure you have your shoes on. <g>
Couple this with the fact that there are probably more inexperienced
athletes at a sprint, and the anxiety level goes on up the scale.
Or maybe I've done enough of both that any difference just doesn't
register on me anymore. I'll have to pay more attention.
MrRobotTow
>do before a tri which requires a degree of concentration. You have to
>find your rack, set up and lay out all your equipment, etc.
Don't forget the lube on the bicycle seat post.
You have to
>find your rack,
My 'ol lady keeps my rack with her (they're attached to her, not sure about
yours, but I'm scared just wondering) and I let her do the "laying out of my
equipment" herself.
>all you need is to make sure you have your shoes on.
Been there done that! High heels, red garter belts...
bikin'
And we've noticed a marked difference between runners- who are generally
very friendly, mellow, good people, and bikers. After riding with bike club
members and running across a few while out on the bike, we've seen the
differences. The arrogance, snobbery and rudeness of many "posers" out
there in their $3000 bikes and full kits. (Then again, my bike was
expensive and I do wear Castelli's. So- pot calling the kettle...). But
the difference is pretty easy to see.
"Mike Tennent" <iron...@darientel.net> wrote in message
news:600B8E8A00A3D21E.DC5F0AFA...@lp.airnews.net...
File Manager
arse.....
On Tue, 21 May 2002 21:16:18 GMT, "bikin'" <bikeme@-spamsucks-cox.net>
wrote:
bikin'
"File Manager" <jimsm...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:8j1meu4oqunjpkkc1...@4ax.com...
: So then, it's not the swimmers or the runners who are the pains in the
: >
:
MrRobotTow
I still say it's those bike seats that make 'em so pissed off...
Mike Lapke
> hooked. Before that, I'd only done 2 5K's. Both just 1 month previous.
> And had never even run a 3-miler in training before that! So my only goal
> in the tri was just to finish. It was a 1K swim, 20K bike and 5K bike.
> Like you, I also noticed a difference in attitudes among the racers. Much
> more serious, and some even arrogant. But I tend to believe most runners
> are very mellow and friendly. And most serious bikers are arrogant and
> stand-offish. (And I'm more a biker now than a runner, but I've held on to
> my mellowness!).
Yeah, I would definitely agree with that. Although, it is not a
sweeping rule... I still did meet some really cool people. Just in
general, there seemed to be a lot more seriousness going around.
> I raced on a Huffy mountain bike in that first tri. I made it, but it was a
> tough 2 hours.
:-) Well, I do actually have a pretty nice mountain bike. Still, a
mountain bike is no road bike...
> If you're really getting into tris, Mike, I'd suggest looking into a road
> bike. It'll change your training and your tri experience. You don't have
> to spend a fortune. You can go with a new bike for as low as 550-600
> dollars, or used for a bit less. BTW- Olympic distance tris RULE!!! But
> they also leave you writhing on the ground in pain :)
I've already started saving my pennies for a road bike :-). I already
looked around and haven't seen any "real" road bikes for under $800
though. A few used ones in the 600 range but that's as low as I've
seen here in Jacksonville. There's an off-road triathlon coming up
soon that I'm going to do. Ocean swim, off road bike trail, and
x-country run trail. At least I won't be at such a disadvantage with
my mountain bike.
> Best of luck,
> Brian
Thanks, and likewise to you.