West Point Triathlon
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007This marks the 5th year I have done this event. I consider it to be a benchmark event for me. Each time the event has had slightly different conditions(hot, cold, rainy,etc…)
Saturday I had a wedding reception to attend. The return drive was long. We got to crash at a friends house that was near the race start. I got to sleep by midnight. Five hours of rest before I have to get up and get ready to go. I was very sluggish at 5am. I had a bagel with peanut butter and some Naked Juice for breakfast. I loaded up the car and then we were off to West Point.
We arrived a little after 6am. I went over to packet pick up and got my goods and went back to the car. I got myself prepped, and checked the inflation on my tires. Gathering my stuff I went to the transition area got my body marked and set up. After a healthy lubing up with bodyglide I slipped on my wetsuit, zipped up and went to the beach to get a quick dip in the water before the race started. The water was cool but comfortable.
I got out as the Race Director made his anouncements. The Army crew at West Point runs a great event, very organized and timely. This means the first wave which was supposed to start at 8:00 am, started at 8:00 am. My wave was set to start at 8:06. Melissa wished me luck as my group was ushered into the corral, and over the timing mats. A multitude of beeps followed us from the beach into the water.
It was a treading water start so we had to swim out a few meters to the starting rope. I positioned myself in the middle of the group and behind a few people. I appreciate the swim in this lake because it is so clean. Kicking a little to stay afloat, I had my watch ready in chrono. The 30 second warning was given. Soon after they blew the horn and we began.
8:06 exactly.
I was among about 100 others in my wave so there was some bumping but not too bad. Within the first 50 meters the wave settled and spread out. I felt lethargic so I just settled into an easy pace. The first buoy came up and there was a little congestion from the previous 2 waves. The bumping and kicking returned as I made my way throught the line.
I saw the next buoy and it looked partially deflated, and I felt the rope floating near me. I had a feeling this would affect something and it did later. I made my way around the second buoy and turned toward the beach. As I was sighting in the beach seemed like it was coming up quickly. My hand touched the sand on the down stroke. I took 2 more strokes and stood up and quickly moved out of the water. Checking my watch I had started only a little over 10 minutes ago. Even on my best day have I swam 800 meters in 10 minutes. My heart rate is a little higher than normal too.
I had reached back and unzipped my wetsuit before my feet hit the sand. Amongst the cheering crowd my lone groupie called my name as I crossed the timing mat. I got a quick kiss and was on my way.
Swim 10:47(?)
I ran into the transition area and located my bike quickly. I stripped off my wetsuit, got on my helmet, sunglasses, socks, and bike shoes. I am feeling chily and congested. Grabbing my bike off the rack I ran out of transition so I could mount my bike.
T1 3:33
Outside the transition I got to the mount line and mouted my bike, one shoe clipped in right away. A few pedal strokes to give me some momentum and balance and I was able to click in to my other pedal. I was in a low gear to start so I upshifted a few gears and got moving. I still don’t feel like I have energy, my legs feel heavy.
The bike course starts on the driveway going out of Camp Buckner. When it leaves the course is on the very wide shoulders of a low traffic road(even slower on Sunday mornings).It is monitored by Army MP’s and race officials on Mororcycles. The cadets did a great job of clearing the course of debris too. The entrance to Camp Buckner came up and I made the hard right.
There was a slight incline. This slowly changed into the first hill, then a plateau, then the next longer hill. At my slowest I can see I am only doing about 11 mph. My 2 ring Cervelo tri bike is always a challenge on this course but it is a good workout, and I do get to fly on the downhills. The breeze on the bike makes me feel cold. Now that I have a chance I let a snot rocket fly, both sides and I feel like I expelled a large portion of my brain, though I feel a little less congested. At the top of the hill it starts to level out a bit, and then it approaches the turnaround, which is about 1/4 of the way.
The West Point MP has the little bit of traffic stopped as I move across from one wide shoulder to the other. Now I put it into high gear so I can crank it down the hill. I am down tight in my aero bars and I push the pedals, my cadence is 105 in my highest gear, and I am going 47 mph. The wind is whistling in my ears. The plateau comes again and I drop a few gears and my momentum caries me to the next short downhill. Once again it levels out and I downshift a little. The entrance to Camp Buckner is too my right and Melissa spots me and waves as I pass. Just about halfway now. The energy that I was lacking before is even less now. My heart rate is higher than what I perceive my effort to be but it is steady.
The course rolls slightly and there are a few smaller hills and plateaus. Then I reach the last big downhill and upshift and push it again.Only 41 mph this time. I need to slow it up before I hit the next turn around. Three quarters of the way now. The return goes into a long steady uphill. I feel like I have nothing left. I am down to 10 mph on this climb. When I reach the top know the worst is over.
The last couple of miles are rolling. I see the entrance coming up and make the quick right in. I get another supportive wave from Melissa. A few hundred meters and I see the transition area and slow down. I unclip and dismount slowly, I don’t want to take a spill now. I trot with my bike over the timing mat. 2 out of 3 down.
Bike 52:35 ;-P
Running with my bike thru transition I have my helmet off. I get to my row and rack my bike, and put my helmet on my aero bars. I slip off my bike shooes and slip into my running shoes, put on my knee brace, visor and take a quick swig of gatorade, and I am on my way out the gate.
T2 1:11(not too shabby)
The run is self contained on Camp Bucker and is well manned with cadets and volunteers for support and at the aide stations. My dead bike legs, try to switch over to be even deader run legs. There is a aide station right at the start and I take some water and HEED(?) before I climb up the first short hill. The run course doesn’t have any big hills but it is like a kids roller coaster. I get into my pace, periodically checking my HR which has been running higher than expected even though I don’t feel like I am pushing it. It remains steady, but climbs when I get to a hill. My pace stays consistant.
I grab a quick drink and thank the volunteers when I am at the aide stations. I pass the 1st mile marker. The second mile goes quickly, but I feel like I am on auto pilot. Another round of snot rockets empty my sinus cavity ,but my head is still stuffy. I get to the next mile marker just before I pass the transition area again. Less than a mile to go. I pass by the finish area for a last out an back that has a slight hill. I hit the turn around and up the hill. The last stretch rolls down and then up to the finish. I can’t wait to finish. I get under the clock and it is over. My body is shaking, and I have nothing left, my head is pounding.
1:35:15