2nd Sprint Triathlon

My second triathlon is also a Sprint distance event, organized by HP, called the HP Tri-Factor. It was held on 3rd Oct 2010. This is about 5 months after my 1st attempt.

Some things had changed. I got a brand new racer fitted to my tall body, a one-of-a-kind, hard-to-find, incredibly large size helmet for my very un-aerodynamic head and also 5 extra months of training (not full time of course). Not forgetting all the experience that i have gained from my 1st attempt, i would say i am better prepared for this one.

What I've learned from my last experience include (in no order of importance):

1) After the horn sound, there is no need to rush out because YOUR timing starts when YOU run pass the sensor mat, not when the horn sounds. You can start rushing after you pass the sensor mat.

2) Sight often during the swim to avoid "taking the path less traveled" (aka swim off course)

3) It's OK to swim breast-stroke. Nobody has the time or energy to laugh at you...and there is no aerial photograph

4) Running to T1 can be a dangerous affair, beware of where i'm stepping

5) Tuck in the shoe laces to prevent it from getting caught in the chains

6) Be careful when handling gels or bottles while on the bike. If I drop it, its not just littering

7) Running will be tough.

Like a truly seasoned, sun-baked, sand-washed, sea-salted and chlorine-bleached triathlete i feel confident and prepared for this one. Ready to do a sub 1:30min.

On the day itself, there was a morning rain. The entire race was pushed back by 30mins. The ground was all muddy and wet. As i walk around to survey the transition area, my feet sank 2 inches into the mud. The bike having skinny tyres, sank even deeper. I decided to carried it to my berth.

As I try to visualize how the swim in and bike out would be, i decided that i will have to carry the bike out to prevent the wheels from being covered in mud. As for the shoes, i can still wear them first, as i see that along the 2 sides of the bike out path, there is not much mud, i can walk on that. This is a mistake because i failed to consider how things can change, and usually when they do, its for the worse.

The swim out to the first buoy has taken double effort due to the big waves coming it. I took my time, changing to breast stroke until the first turn. I completed the swim feeling pretty OK, not out of breath and not in debt... but as i check the time, 20mins!!! The moderated effort plus the wave condition took an extra 5mins from my targeted time. Damn....

I ran to T1, luckily with no incident this time (previously i got 3 cut on the foot). Took off the goggles and swim cap, wipe down my face and feet. I put on the socks and shoes, congratulating myself for remembering to tuck in the shoe laces this time. Then it's helmet on, race belt on, gel check and....damn got to carry the bike out...

As i half run/ half walk to bike out area, i realized my mistake to wear the shoe to soon. The little side path is by now as muddy as ...muddy mud. Having to carry the bike make my feet sink even deeper with each step. I slowed to a walk, careful not to fall, it took me almost 1 minutes to get out of this sticky situation.

The cycling was generally uneventful, except for numerous humps along the route. I remembered to aim for a cadence of 85rpm, chanting 1-2-3, 1-2-3 periodically to keep pace.

The gel was consumed with no incident. Being extra careful this time not to drop is. The intense sweetness of the substance made my throat a bit sore after swallowing.

T2 went reasonably smooth. I can't remember i carried the bike or roll it back. But judging by the state of the wheels after the race, i guess i carried it.

Thanks to the morning rain, the sky is still somewhat overcast. It's almost noon but its not hot, there's even a small breeze going. At the U-turn point (2.5km mark) my knees start to hurt. It's a aching pain that got better when i stop to stretch. But due to this, i have to make frequent pauses to manage the pain.

Finish the race in a moderate pace. Not worn out at all after the race, not out of breath and not in debt. Not feeling the urge to lie down, and not feeling the urge to throw up. This is good, but the timing could have been better.

I did a 1:37, which is about 4 mins faster than my first attempt.

Noted that the sea was choppy, the ground was muddy, the shoe was weighty for the run and i have to nurse a aching knee...these are unfavorable factors.

But i've got a better bike, and more training and experience and the better physical state upon finishing, i would say that, all things considered, this race is somewhat a good one for me.

Again, it showed me that triathlon racing is a very dynamic event. With 3 different disciplines all rolled into one, throw in the transition stage, a lot of things can go wrong. As such, i think any plans or strategies made needs to be able to address these uncontrollable variables. Maybe with contingency plans, or even to be more prudence in the planning will help. That's half the fun!

Looking ahead, maybe one more Sprint, and i should be aiming to do a OD. But judging by my time schedules ahead, this may not be a given. Nobody would want to rush in a race unprepared, and preparation takes time and effort and discipline. I'm not certain that i can manage all these.