Middle Tyger YMCA Sprint Triathlon Info
Difficulty: Moderate for a sprint triathlon.
Race Vibe: Bustling, energetic, friendly.
Food: The usual post-race snacks plus subs.
Terrain: Swim: Really nice 50 meter pool with one-way swimming in each lane. Bike: Rural two-lane roads with good pavement. A lollipop, out-and-back course with a couple significant climbs near the finish. Run: Begins on a shaded trail behind the Y, some grass then rolling neighborhood roads. There are two aid stations with water.
Race Preparation: If you’ve done a few triathlons you are good to go. If you’re new to the sport be sure you can cover the distances involved and have practiced transitions. Click on the link for my post on training for your first triathlon with links to articles and books.
Newbie Friendly: Yes.
When I arrived at Middle Tyger YMCA Sprint Triathlon a bit after 6:00 am, preparations were in progress and at full roar with participants completing pre-race setup and tasks with attitudes that ranged from bored competence to nervous uncertainty. After a quick and smooth passage through packet pickup, body marking and chip pickup, I found my assigned rack position in transition and set up my gear.
In the midst of the confusion and chaos, I ran into a couple of friends which always takes the nervous energy down a notch and incrementally increases my confidence.
Proper Prior Preparation
I took an extra minute to put baby powder in my shoes to lessen the chance of blisters since I wouldn’t be wearing socks. Then I made sure my bike was in the little ring and a low gear. Nothing like trying to ride off in the big ring and a big cog.
A quick walk in through from the swim exit to acquire a couple landmarks to be certain I could find my bike with race nerves running at full throttle, and I went into the Y for what I consider the two most important race prep items: a bathroom break and a couple pre-race swim laps.
I learned long ago if you jump into the pool/lake/river/ocean with zero prep, the shock of the cold water will make you forget where your bike is, what your name is and sometimes how to swim.
Splash Off!
Time wound down, nerves frayed, pre-race announcements were given, the national anthem played, the line started and suddenly the pool was full of swimmers. My turn came and I jumped in feet first as instructed, put my head down and started across the pool. Mid swim I had a couple bad moments like I always seem to in pool swims but I sorted them out and kept moving. Finally I was at the ladder out of the pool and trotting toward transition.
In transition I realized I had somehow failed to start my Garmin before jumping into the pool and spent a minute fiddling with it. When it and I both agreed that we were in T1, I donned helmet, sunglasses, shoes and headed for the bike exit and mount line.
Clipping in I heard the familiar voice of Triathlon Coach, Katie Malone, giving me one last word of advice. It was reassuring especially given her recent bike crash. I had worried that she wouldn’t be able to make the race. I should have known better.
Cold Comfort & Cadence
Then I was in motion across the highway and pedaling rapidly into a downhill stretch of road. Soaking wet, I found the 60-something degree, beautiful June morning quite brisk and willed myself to pedal harder so I would airdry faster. The course went fast and the first two 5-mile splits surprised me. I was on pace for a bike PR.
The third split was a bit slower due to some climbing and fatigue. I held on as best I could. Knowing that the bike PR was on the table. The course was extremely well marked. Law enforcement and volunteers were evident at every intersection or major turn.
Then I was back across the highway, turning into the Y and dismounting. I ran my bike into transition holding it by the saddle the way I had learned to a half dozen years ago in Tennessee. I racked my bike, chucked my glasses and helmet and bent down to remove my bike shoes.
My hamstrings seized. I managed to trade my bike shoes for running shoes and reach low enough to grab my NC State ball cap and race belt. I made a vow to stretch, floss, meditate and rotate my tires at the next oil change,
Rehabbing The Run
I hobbled out onto the run course. I was glad for the bike-run brick workouts I’d done in the weeks before the race. These workouts prepared me for the familiar stiff shuffle gait that comes from running off the bike. Jogging down the trail trying to loosen my legs up and increase my run cadence, I noticed that someone had painted the roots on the trail white to reduce the odds of one of us doing a face plant. Thank you.
By the time I made it out of the woods and onto the grass I had what could charitably be called a running stride going. Out on the pavement I began to run with a purpose. I felt a great sense of relief. I had been dreading the run. I’ve been working through a bad case of peroneal tendonitis since last season. Most of my recent running workouts had been run/walk intervals specified by Katie.
I would have much rather shuffled my way over hill and dale to chalk up more miles. But while that would have been more emotionally satisfying, the objective was to run better not to run longer. The walk breaks improved the quality of the run intervals. I didn’t have to enjoy the run/walk training. I just had to do it.
The run was going better than I had expected. I came to the aid station, thanked the volunteers and poured the water over my head. Here the run course took an out and back on a rolling neighborhood road that seemed so long I expected to hear the roller coasters at Carowinds before I found the volunteers, cone and turnaround.
I passed the aid station again. Another left took me to and through a school parking lot. Then I was heading back with one last hill between me and to the finish. Over the hill, around the cones and a sprint across the finish line brought the race to a conclusion. It had been a long year between triathlon finishes. It was good to be back out there. Stumble onward.
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Enjoyed this post!! Well-done!!
Thanks for the kind words. Always a pleasure to race with you.