Wow, I can't believe I went a month plus and didn't add any updates to the blog--there is a bunch of backlogged updates so let me first start with a race report from what will be my only triathlon of the 2020 season...
So, on July 18th in this year of Covid, we were actually able to race a legit, real world triathlon. It was a bit different than the normal Jersey sprint in that it was a time trial event where each competitor went off in 30 second intervals, only 2 bikes per rack (not really enforced), masks in transition and until just before you jumped in the water, no pre-race meeting, no awards ceremony, etc. But hey, it was racing!
I signed up for the Sprint race which entailed a 0.25 mile swim/9 mile bike/1.5 mile run. As it turned out there were 88 people entered and in my 60-64 YO Age Group, there were 5 who actually raced. As an aside Mickey Syrop, was also entered and I was hopeful we would have a great race given the extensive competitive history we have over the years but alas, he did not make it. The other 4 guys in my Age Group I didn't know anything about and in any event, with the TT format, it was impossible to know how I was doing competitively at any point....but it was time to race again!
Weather wise it was typical Jersey July--modest wind, around 85 degrees when we finished and very humid. Not the best racing conditions but the shortness of the race made this pretty much a non-issue.
The Swim
Lake Lenape is a typical Jersey Pine Barrens lake with plenty of cedar in the lake and very low visibility. It's a race venue I've raced at many times through the years and one where I've enjoyed some success at (including the top overall bike in a 350+ competitor field). This year's edition had us swimming in a different location than prior years but the bike course was very similar (albeit, a bit shorter) and the run was entirely different as well.
Midge was first in the water at 8:00am. I was given the 8:15-8:30 slot, so I did the math and got in line (6 feet apart) at the appropriate spot. At about 8:24 it was my turn to jump in. The water was a pleasant 73 degrees (a bit warm, but not an issue given the short duration of this swim). It was a simple counter clock-wise box swim, which favors me as I breathe on my left. With the TT start most of the swim was solo and I swam a solid but not red-lined effort.
I exited the water in 7:23 (1:41/100 yds), in what would turn out to be 16th best overall (83.0 %-tile). I was a bit faster than Midge and Tim, two friends that I'm a comparable swimmer with, so overall, I'm pretty satisfied with this effort. I had the fastest time in my Age Group by a considerable margin and here was were we stood after the swim:
RC -------
Green +3:05
Nolan +3:21
Transition One
As I ran up the steep hill by the lake I felt something wet and heavy around my neck--my buff, which I had used in transition earlier and forgot to take off when I wore the disposable mask while waiting in line! I laughed out loud--a bit rusty I guess--and I must confess, I was pretty slow moving through transition. My T1 time was 2:48, which was a middling 42nd Overall (53.4 %-tile). I was also middle of the pack in my Age Group with the 3rd Fastest T1. Despite this, I still had a sizable lead as I hopped on my bike:
RC -------
Green +2:11
Nolan +3:41
The Bike
I felt like I was still in reasonably good bike shape, despite shutting down my normal IM build training due to CoVid. I rode a solid ride and began upping my effort as the race progressed. I finished the bike in 25:26, which if the course was accurately measured would have been an average of 21.2 mph. It felt faster than that and indeed I did have the 2nd fastest bike split OA (98.9 %-tile). I also put some significant time on my Age Group competitors, effectively sealing the Age Group victory:
RC -------
Green +8:57
Nolan +14:55
Transition Two
T2 went much more quickly and smoothly than T1. I completed the bike/run transition in 1:13, which was good enough for 13th OA (86.4 %-tile). I had the second fastest T2 in my Age Group but further widened my lead on my Age Group:
RC -------
Green +10:43
Nolan +14:48
The Run
I had not really run in 6 weeks so even though it was a short run, I took it easy. The course was mostly on paths/dirt roads through the woods. One section had a tough little hill on very loose sand--not so good for my knee! Anyways, I persevered and finished the run in 15:16, which is a very slow 10:16/mile. Overall, I had the 43rd fastest run (52.3 %-tile) and was second in my Age Group. Here is how my Age Group stacked up at the finish:
RC -------
Nolan +12:29
Green +14:36
My Overall time was 52:06, which was good enough for 11th (88.6 %-tile). This was my 159th triathlon through the years and my 51st Age Group victory (32.1%). Short and sweet and unfortunately, the only time I'll get to do a Tri in 2020....first year I've ever gone undefeated 😐....
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