Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon: A New Sprint PR

This is the event where my triathlon experience begin in 2009. And, here I am 4 years later Getting my fastest time at this event. Yeppee!

The Swim

Garmin Details

I jumped in the water and my googles started leaking, AGAIN. This time, I just ignored it and pushed on. They seem to seal after leaking briefly. After 100 yards or so, I had habituated to the water slosh on my eye and it didn't bother me anymore. The Garmin 910XT says I swam 492 yards instead of 400. I did take the long stretch too wide, but I wouldn't have expected that much additional distance.

Transition 1 (T1)

I came out of the swim feeling strong and immediately passed several people on the way to my bike. This was the first race where I intentionally didn't put socks on for the ride. This may have been my fastest ever T1 too. Feet in shoes, glasses on, helmut on, snap the clasp, and grab bike and run. John Hanna, my coach, had suggested that I run the bike right on past the mount line up the little hill at the start and mount at the intersection where the slope was downhill. He was right. I passed 5 people right there that I never saw again.

The Bike

Garmin Details

I love riding the route from the picnic area at Oak Mountain State Park to the "Fishing Lake" (see the Garmin results link for map, above). Good long rolling hills with long climbs and long descents. I played my usual cat and mouse with several riders where I pass them going downhill and they pass me going up hill. But, in general, I think I passed more riders than riders that passed me. The ride felt good from beginning to end.

T2

I put on socks that I heard another participant call "wicking" socks. They are very thin and extremely easy to put on. Shoes on and tied (next improvement needs to be an easy to secure string system), visor, downed a big gulp of water, and grabbed the gatorade energy gels John, my son, had given me the day before. Off to the run.

The Run

Garmin Details

John had also coached me to take it easy for the first part and kick it in for the later bits. Well, I did. Split paces (Garmin measured the distance as 2.89 miles):

1. 9:51
2. 9:20
3. 9:02

Like the bike, the run simply felt good and I felt strong the entire way. I saw my buddy Ken Harlass near the turn around. He volunteers at a lot of events and has such an encouraging, motivating aura as you get near him. Off to the finish line, several of my fellow Vulcan Triathletes club members were along the chute yelling encouragement. Behind me in the chute, there was another runner clearly trying to pass me. I yelled to my mates, "he is not passing me!" And, he didn't!

Results

June 8, 2013: Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon, Birmingham, AL | Sprint Time: 1:24:30  PR Age Group Place: 6 of 16
	Swim	Distance: 400 yds Time: 9:52
	Transition	Time: 2:23
	Cycle	Distance: 13 Miles Time: 43:02 Rate: 18.1
	Transition	Time: 2:04
	Run	Distance: 3 Miles Time: 27:12 Pace: 9:04
	Weather	Ha Temperature: 71.6° Humidity: 83%

History

Year	Time	Swim	T1	Bike	T2	Run
2009	1:25:43	11:07	4:13	42:36	2:11	25:38
2010	1:32:10	11:53	3:10	43:48	2:10	31:11
2012	1:27:09	10:02	2:31	42:23	3:13	29:02
2013	1:24:30	9:52	2:23	43:02	2:04	27:12

Fastest component in red.

Me after the event with Vulcan Triathletes:

Lake Guntersville Olympic Triathlon: I Shivered, but I Didn't Drown, Crash, or Walk

I completed the Lake Guntersville Olympic Triathlon on May 4th, 2013. The day began with a 4:10 am departure from my house. 42° and pouring rain, there is fun ahead!

So, after picking up my packet and setting up my transition area, I stood around in my wetsuit with the other competitors and we shivered a lot. When it was near to time for the swim, about 50 triathletes that were in the water. The swim starter announced over his bull horn that they would need to get out of the water in 3 minutes. The crowd declared, in unison, "What!". He said, "OK, you can stay there until your wave starts. Yes, the water was cold, but warmer than the air.

The swim was surprisingly fast since I had trouble starting, 8 minutes faster than last year, SURPRISE. My goggles leaked immediately. Note to self, tighter next time. In fact, when will I learn to get in the water and do a few strokes before the start! But, I got past it. Then, my swim cap started to come off. Tread water and fix that. Then, I got my rhythm and all was fine. Out of the water and into a super slow transition. I put on tights, bike show covers, compression shirt, jacket, and gloves. Off I went.

The ride was uneventful and felt smooth. The run seemed smooth as well and, in fact, I think it was longer than 6.2. My Garmin 910XT apparently only measured the distance in the water. I do NOT believe I ran 13 minute miles. But, I didn't walk. I had a fun exchange with a volunteer at the intersection to which we entered, turned left, turned around, passed, turned around, passed, turned around, and then exited. After returning from the first left and heading up hill, a volunteer said turn around at the cone at the top of the hill. Wanting to think positive (you know like thinking of a beach when you are cold), I said "the cone is at the bottom of the hill, right?" It was, but only after climbing, descending  and climbing and descending again. Yes, 2 hills and return from the bottom of the second.

I keep thinking that if I hang in there long enough that I am bound to become of one of the few in my age group and find a podium. But, judging by the examples of old fellows at this race, they are not fewer, but they are tougher. Maybe, when I'm 80.

Over the last 8 months, I seemed to have been plagued with injuries and illness (broken toe, minor tears in my the medial meniscus on both knees, and shingles). So, I was slow, but steady and pain free. Now, to start cranking it up.

Event Pictures (Thanks to Greg Gelmis and We Run Huntsville): Set 1 and Set 2

Results

May 4, 2013: Lake Guntersville State Park, AL Olympic Triathlon Time: 3:44:43
Nice Medal!	Swim	Distance: 1500 yds Time: 38:29 I measured 1696 yds 2012: 46:32
	Transition	Time: 7:42 2012: 3:15
	Cycle	Distance: 24 Miles Time: 1:33:21 Rate: 16.6 2012: 1:27:04
	Transition	Time: 4:35 2012: 1:19
	Run	Distance: 6.2 Miles Time: 1:20:36 Pace: 13:00 2012: 1:04:12
	Weather	Rain Temperature: 42.8° Humidity: 100% 2012: Overcast Temperature: 73° Humidity: 100%

Me during the event:

Note: I have decided that I should return to my habit of logging my race reports here. I regret not being able to look back an see them as I had in the past.

Update: the run was confirmed to be more like 7 miles by several folks with functional GPS. A little out -and-back was done 1 too many times.

September 25, 2011 Ironman 70.3 Augusta

I completed the Ironman 70.3 Augusta. The swim was surprisingly fast since I had trouble starting. I don't know what the issue was but I'm assuming it was the cold water. But, I couldn't get my breathing going in the first 50-100 yards. I had to turn over on to my back several times. Once I got going though, I was fine and swam faster than last year. I had dinner the night before with Dawn and Jon Cochran at one of my favorite places in Augusta called Rhineharts in Augusta. Betsy and I loved this place when she lived in Aiken in the '90s. It hasn't changed. Back to the room, lots of prep and early to sleep.

I picked Jon up at his hotel which was just down the road and off we went to transition. I forgot my waterbottles and had to head back to the car to get them after setting up my transition area. I took a picture of Jon along the way. Yeah, he's ready!

Got my water bottles situated and could not find Jon. So, I got on the bus for transition. The bus leaves and before traveling 100 yards guess who I see walking; yes, Jon. We did meet up at the swim start thanks to his watchful eye. I lost him several times. I think I was just so absorbed in the moment that I was scattered brained.

Augusta starts in waves based on age and gender. First the challenged participants, the elites, and those over 55. Then, the men in age groups from youngest to oldest followed by women youngest to oldest. Thus, I started just before the women since I'm in the 50-54 age group. A few miles into the ride, I saw Jon and started getting passed by women. In fact, a pack of women caught up to me and for awhile it was plain NUTS. Forget not drafting, it was like riding in a 4 bike wide pace line. One guy in front of me came out of the saddle, stopped peddling on flat road and may have hit his brakes. I had to hit my brakes hard. Some woman behind me yelled "you guys are dangerous." I can say it scared the living crap out of me. I was sure I was about to be hit from behind and all hell was about to break loose. But, it didn't.

The pack finally thinned and all began to flow like normal. I saw Sophia Lai along the way. She passed me while I was messing with a powerbar wrapper and "asked if I was alright". I said "yes, just messing with this damn wrapper." I passed her in a bit and continued on the ride. All good. Got on the run and started working on some new chews I was trying and their damn wrapper was proving to be difficult too. So, I started walking while I dealt  with it and guess what. Sophia comes up from behind me and says "Bob, are you alright?". I said "yes, dealing with another damn wrapper. If you see me slowed, I'm eating!". Part of my game plan, was to test my nutrition plan for my full Ironman in November, Ironman Cozumel. Thus, the focus on food. Lots of lessons learned. Forget those coke filled chew things. Power bars and sports beans need to be placed in convenient packaging.

I ate much more than I have in races in the past based on a formula that indicates I need to consume at least 200 calories per hour. I never ran out of energy, so my faith in the formula is good. I shaved off 15 minutes from last year and was faster in everything except T1 compared to last year. So, I'm quite pleased especially since I really was trying to treat it as a practice for Ironman distance and thus holding back.

Results

September 25, 2011: Augusta, GA Ironman 70.3 Augusta Time: 6:10:30
	Swim	Distance: 1.2 Miles Time: 32:33
	Transition	Time: 5:56
	Cycle	Distance: 56 Miles Time: 2:55:18 Rate: 19.17
	Transition	Time: 5:01
	Run	Distance: 13.1 Miles Time: 2:31:42 Pace: 11:34
	Weather	Overcast Temperature-73° Humidity-100%

On the way to transition

Transition

My bike ready to spend the night

The Run Out Line

The Swim course

The Swim Finish Line

Heading home with my medal

But, First off to Carrabas

To Eat

And, ate most of it

And ordered the most important part

Which was....

August 13, 2011: Mountain Lakes Tri

Third time at Mountain Lakes. Faster than last year by 3 minutes and 5 minutes faster than the first time in 2009. A nice progression that I can't complain about.

• Mountain Lakes Triathlon information
• Race results

August 13, 2011: Guntersville, AL Mountain Lakes Triathlon Time: 1:31:51
boo	Swim	Distance: 600 Yards Time: 14:25
	Transition	Time: 2:43
	Cycle	Distance: 16.2 Miles Time: 46:49 Rate: 20.76
	Transition	Time: 1:30
	Run	Distance: 3 Miles Time: 26:24 Pace: 8:48
	Weather	Clear Temperature-75° Humidity-83%

July 10, 2011: Chattanooga Waterfront Tri

This was my first participation in the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. I'm in Ironman training for Cozumel Ironman on November 2?. So, I had workouts scheduled for Friday and Saturday which I completed. I ran 7 miles when when arrived, 10:00 pm. Then, on Saturday, the day before the race, I rode  40 miles including climbing up past Ruby Falls. If you have been there you know that is a good climb. I ran 5 miles after the ride. All good so far. Betsy and John came along and that was awesome. I met them at the aquarium which we love. We met the Vulcan Tri group for dinner. We were late and we learned that the Vulcan Tri group are quite punctual. It felt awkward at first as the table was full, but they added spots and we joined the big table.

Up early and prepped for the race. The swim went great as did the ride. My bento box did come loose and I had to stop and resolve that. I have since added longer strips of velco, but it really doesn't work well on the tri bike. Now to the run. All I can say, is it is the slowest 10K I have ever run by a long shot. I died in the second half. It was really hot and I simply pooped out. But, all-in-all, I had a good experience and look forward to doing better next year.

• Chattanoogo Waterfront Triathlon information
• Race results

July 10, 2011: Chattonooga, TN Waterfront Triathlon Time: 3:24:36
	Swim	Distance: 1.5K, .93 miles Time: 33:27
	Transition	Time: 4:18
	Cycle	Distance: 42K, 26.1 Miles Time: 1:26:57 Rate: 18.01
	Transition	Time: 2:46
	Run	Distance: 10K, 6.2 Miles Time: 1:17:09 Pace: 12:26
	Weather	Mostly cloudy Temperature-76° Humidity-91% Heat index of 92 when I finished