Race Day: San Javier Sprint Triathlon

SUN 4th OCT. Swim 750m @ 18.22; T1 @ 2.25: bike 24 km @ 47.58; T2 @ 2.06; run 5 km @ 29.06. Total time 1 hr 40 min. 

A rookie mistake at the start caught me stuck behind the girls sprint line-up, which probably cost me half a minute. Got a puncture on the last 100 metres off the bike ride and nearly came off on the last bend, then dismounted and ran with the bike for the final 50 metres into T2. Felt those jelly legs going into the run, but was able to pick up the pace during the second half, with a little sprint finish.

Swimming was the biggest area of improvement. Bike was good but average speed needs to be faster. Running needs work to improve my pace coming off the bike. Transition times can still be improved also.

Overall, I am very happy with today's performance. Roll on next season.

Let's hear it for the old guy!

Race Day at Torrevieja

 

 

Swim: 00:23:05 - T1: 00:02:44 - Bike: 00:35:02 - T2: 00:02:47 - Run: 00:39:36 - Time: 01:43:14

Google+ Slide Show

Official Video - TriWhite Cup at Pilar de Horadada

TriWhite Cup in Torrevieja on Sunday 21st June

REST DAY and time to reflect on yesterday's event. The thought was always in the back of my mind that if Pilar de Horadada went well I would sign up for Torrevieja the following week. So, I have now registered for my second sprint triathlon with White Events Goforit TriWhite Cup on Sunday 21st June.

The event mainly takes place on the pier side of the Torrevieja International Marina at La Bocana, cable ski site. The water should be calm and the bike and run route is completely flat. It should prove to be a fast course.

Swimming will be the discipline I will concentrate on over the next few days to try improve my poor performance at Pilar de Horadada. Plus better transitions times. Get those right and I'll knock 10 minutes plus of my race time.

swim 750 metres (1 lap)

bike 20 kilometres (3 laps)

run 5 kilometres (2 laps)

Click to view more information about the event

Race Day at Pilar de Hradada ... my first triathlon

UP AT 05:30 for my banana-vanilla protein oatmeal breakfast, then it was off to the races for the Pilar de Horadada leg of the TriWhite Cup... so, how did I do ...

The 750 m swim... one word, "struggled". The sea at Playa de la Villas was breezy and choppy which proved to be a very different experience from swimming in the Torrevieja Marina where I did the majority of my swim training. I wore my wet suit to help with buoyancy, but the waves made sighting difficult, which caused me to drift off course several times. Just past the second buoy I got cramp in my calves. Once the pain subsided, the swim back to shore was better and I began to find some rhythm in my stroke, but I had lost a lot of time and fallen to the back of the field (swim time 31:01).

Transition 1... I opted to put my cycling shoes on by the bike stand rather than do the elastic band thingy. I thought it best to put bike gloves on, because of the heat, but that added on more extra time. Then getting Strava started on my iPhone made it feel like I was in the transition area for an eternity. To finally get out of there and get going on the bike was a welcome relief (T1 time 4:19).

The 20 km bike ride... a much improved performance on the swim. The bike ride eased the calf muscles somewhat, as I managed to spin away a lot of the muscle ache. I began to feel my strength return and pushed hard. Average pace was good at 28.64 km/hr (bike time 39:48).

Transition 2... a lot easier transition than T1. In and out without any problems but it felt slow (T2 time 3:03).

The 5 km run... 5:49 km/hr (run time 29:07)... video of me crossing the finishing line (thanks to Andy Ward)

Summary...
Swim: 00:31:01 - T1: 00:04:19 - Bike: 00:39:48 - T2: 00:03:03 - Run: 00:29:07 - Time: 01:47:18

View 5k run on Nike+

Total duration: 1:47:18.

Conclusion... the swim was a disappointment, but all things considered, it was my first sprint triathlon so I shouldn't be too hard on myself. Besides, there is major room for improvement and I now have a bench mark to improve upon. 

The triathlon was a great experience and a lot of fun, I especially enjoyed the camaraderie with mi amigos Dave Tait (1:17:11), Andy Ward (1:33:47), and Wally Walton (no times), along with the families and friends that joined us, including my niece Helen who flew in from the UK. Afterwards, we all shared our tales over a fine lunch in the Pirate Bar on the beach. This is one of the best days I've had in Spain since arriving over 14 years ago .

... no mas rookie triathlete!

Click to view Andy Ward's review

#OLYMPICDAY

TriWhite Cup 2015 in Pilar de Horadada

Day #35, Week #5: Rest Day / TriWhite Cup 2015

ROUND 2 of the TriWhite Cup 2015 in Alicante today, so I rescheduled my training in order to spectate and try to pick up a few tips. I arrived in time for the start of sprint triathlon and waded in to the sea for a quick video shoot >>>

My first impression of the event was how it appeared to be organised chaos with participants, spectators and tourists everywhere. However, as White Events are very experienced in organising these events it soon became apparent everything was under control and the triathletes all got underway on schedule in the there respective events. Note to self is to arrive early, get registered and avoid the hassle, though I expect the Pilar de Horadada event to be less busy.

It's clearly a good idea to stick to the outside at the start of the swim to stay out of harms way... unless you're Michael Phelps out front going for gold.

I also noticed how a lot of the participants struggled with the first transition, from swim to bike, getting their feet into their cycle shoes on the bike pedals, Some even came to a complete stand still for what seemed an eternity while they faffed around with the pedals. Practice, practice, practice... it's free time!

Day #21, Week #3: Swim Day / TriWhite Cup 2015

THE TRIWITE Cup 2015 season kicked off today in Benidorm, the first of seven triathlon events along the Costa Blanca organised by White-Events Goforit. Next on the schedule is Alicante on Sunday 3rd May, which I'll be spectating to see what tips I can pick up. Pilar de Horadada is the fourth event on the circuit.

It was an open water swim session for me this morning. The water temperature is currently 16°C / 61°F and gradually rising. Drilled with my new Arena powerfins.

I'm a little tied after yesterday's BRICK session, so the weekends scheduled strength training workouts will be carried over to next week

Video Presentation of the TriWhite Cup