TL;DR
Official Times:
- Total - 1:03:57
- Swim - 6:36
- T1 - 2:41
- Bike - 31:00
- T2 - 1:32
- Run - 22:09
Race Report
It was my first time doing the Azalea Triathlon, the season-opening race in the Setup Events Triathlon series here in NC. The Azalea was down in good ol' Wilmington, NC.
 |
| The enthusiasm of Market St. |
The morning of the race I woke up at about 6:30, packed up what I needed, then headed off to fill my morning race routine; coffee with hazelnut creamer and some plain oatmeal with cinnamon and sugar. More on that later. It was a little chilly that morning but it was mainly the wind that made it slightly miserable. Strong gusts of wind that went right through what I was wearing. I debated wearing a long sleeve winter sports shirt but decided against it. since that's one more thing to put on and take off. (I carried it in my bag anyways because I'm a baby and over prepare) I arrived at UNCW and rolled my bike to the usual checkpoints: timing chip, body markings, transition area, and start time board. One thing I wish more volunteers would realize is not everyone is a veteran. A lot of people don't know what to do next in terms of checking in and what to do next, but since race organizers do, they don't think like noobs. For example, body marking was inside but there was no actual reason to go in there, so if I hadn't of already known that it was a requirement I would have totally skipped it not realizing it was a step. Check in should point you to the next area to visit. This isn't always a problem for most places but it probably had a lot to do with how segmented the stations were.
Into the transition area to set up my spot. I had an outside stage so that was really convenient not having to worry about people on both sides of me and had quick access to the runways.
I noticed a lot of people were placing towels near the pool exit, probably to dry off from the wind. I thought about it and decided I would wait until I got to transition. Not only did I not feel like stopping after the pool, but I didn't want to run with a towel either. So, I placed it neatly with my things. Little did I know I wasn't even going to use it.
On the start. I entered the pool area at the UNCW natatorium. Muggy and humid but not too bad. There were a lot of people packed in there but it was running exceptionally smooth. Kudos to the organizers here. The racers were interval starting in one side of the pool and the other was open to warm-up and practice. I swam a couple laps to get the feel for the water then got up and waited for my start. This was another area in which they could have been noob-friendly. This was my first pool tri and I had no idea what to do for the swim part. Luckily another bearded brethren chatted me up and told me what was going on, which was everyone gets in line by their race number and has a interval start. So, into the line I go waiting for my turn at a swim.
 |
| What would happen if I just jumped in now? |
Time ticks on and finally I'm in the pool, ready to go. Guy in front of me gets ready-the race official starts, "5. 4. 3. 2. 1. GO!" and now I'm up. Goggles on, ear plugs in. "5. 4. 3. 2. 1. GO!" I push off the wall, gliding through the water with my head beaming the way like a dolphin glistening in the ocean. My dorsal fin guiding my way as I try to regulate my stokes, allowing my blowhole to surface for air at the right time. Now this is where it got a little tricky.
See, swimmers go up a lane, turn around, and go down the next lane--turn around and go back up the same lane. Then on to the next. So each lane gets 2 laps. There was anywhere from 5-6 people in one lane at a time. I ended up gaining on the female ahead of me and since there were so many people, I was unable to pass by swimming around. This caused a line to build up behind me as well. Finally, she tells me to pass when she gets to the wall but I'm off-breath and a little too far from the wall. I hurry and touch it and push off to the next lane and now I'm extremely out of breath. Now the line is behind me and I'm definitely starting to slow down. I'm kicking fools in the face as they start nipping at my feet. I let one guy pass at the wall but that's all. The others will have to suffer as I pass 2 more people. I finally get to the end and climb the ladder - a tad disoriented from being out of rhythm. Now to run down a flight of stairs. |
| My estimated 100 yd time was 2:00. Not bad. |
Down the stairs and outside finally. Ahh the sun, it burns us precious! No worries, some people stop to pick up their town and some stop to put on some clothes almost like a pre-transition.
 |
| Happy Feet |
I keep on going, and into the transition area. My feet pitter-pattering on the ground like little duck feet. I love that sound. I said forget that towel business and just put on my cycling shoes, jersey, helmet, and during a momentary lapse, looked around for a second to find the bike start. Unload my bike from the rack and run over to the start.
 |
| T1 time of 2:42 |
I hop on the 'ol steed and start peddling while buckling then tightening as I go. My ears are hurting as the wind freezes my wet ear canals and my throat is killing me for the same reasons. My heart rate is trying to recover from both the adrenaline and the physical exertion from the "all-of-a-sudden we're doing things".
The bike goes well. Well... All except the part where I ate a Gel and was drinking my water bottle during the first few miles and didn't dock it correctly to my bike. I watched it fall on the ground as I let out a "nooooooo" and watched that son-of-a-bitch sliding on the ground going the same speed I am. I watch it. There's nothing I can do but bid it farewell as I continue on. Pretty much flat the whole way but very windy. The aero guys had a big advantage here. Finishing up the bike I loosen my shoes and pull my feet out (something I need to work on more) so I don't have to worry about unclipping and taking off my bike shoes in T2. As I roll in I catch up to a lot of folks that are slowing down way to early on their approach. I tried to keep it fast until the last second of dismount, and then fling myself off like a rodeo. |
| Notice the time toward the end dive as I try to un-sheath my feet. |
Into T2 was a breeze. Smash my finger somehow, propped my bike, then threw my shoes on. Took a sip of water from the extra bottle I had and then peaced out toward the run start.
 |
| Putting on Vibram FF |
The run started slow and my heart was starting to clam down. The run is my strongest area with my 5k PR being 18:50. Running for me is all about getting into the right rhythm.
 |
| Dat outside forefoot strike |
It started a little rough as I adjusted my sea legs to bike legs, and then to run legs. To top it all off I had that thick Skittle-spit--you know, after you eat some Skittles you have that spit that just bounces back at you? Without much water and that Gel sitting in me, I really had some spit coming. I gathered my saliva and got ready to purge the pallet and off it went! Or. So I thought. It sure enough Spider-maned me and came back onto my shoulder. Now I have an awesome string of web from my mouth and beard to my shoulder. I tried to grab it and get it off me but now I just had a crusty shoulder and a web hand. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuu! I was able to get most of it off and got into a good pace on my running.
 |
| Training Effort is 5/5. Never hit that one before. |
I started getting faster as I approached near the end, but I didn't realize how quick it came. The last part of the run ran through the swim transition, so there was some dodging required. If I had of known it was around the corner I would have given it a little extra in the last 1/4 mile.
Anyways, I finished in 1:03 and was overall a really good race. The overall winner was 43 min. The last tri I did was in 2010 and on a mountain bike, so this is definitely good practice for me to get back into the game. Hopefully doing Beach 2 Battleship in October. I'll keep you posted. :)
