Race Report – Hagerstown Sprint Triathlon 7/26/09
Hi again Tri Race fans! “Race Report” Dave here with another thrilling account of my multisport endeavors during the 2009 season. And this time it’s the popular Hagerstown Sprint Triathlon hosted by Racine MultiSports with club member Ken Racine calling the shots as race director. For those of you unfamiliar with this race, it takes place just off I-70, exit 28, route 632 in Martin L Snook park. So, it’s real close to the Frederick area. The course consists of a 300m pool swim (12 lengths), 11.5 mile bike on mostly lightly rolling terrain, and a 5K run through the park which has no significant hills. So, this course is a fast one for the experienced triathlete and just right in my opinion for beginner triathletes and folks looking to complete their first triathlon. Hence why this event has gained such popularity in the short 3 years it’s been held.
Now before I continue, I should also say for you parents of young kids who want them to transition in your tri footsteps that there’s usually a Kids Tri the day before the regular Sprint Tri and this year was no exception. So I had volunteered to help at the Kids Tri the evening prior and it’s always a blast seeing these kids “tri”ing their hearts out on their bikes. I often wonder whether the flower basket or streamers on my bars would do anything for my overall performance 
Anyway, something to consider for your budding triathlete.
In addition to the Kids Triathlon, packet pickup for the Sprint Tri was also available at the same time. This worked out well as I don’t think it was available the first year. So, that was one less thing I had to be concerned with the next day.
Okay, back to the main event. Now because of it’s increase in popularity and limited number of entries, one should register for this event fairly early and I signed up in January to ensure a slot. Since I had signed up so early, I found I was in one of the early swim start time blocks, 6:30 – 7:30 AM. This meant that I had to get up at around 3:40 AM so that I could get there with plenty of time to grab a spot in transition since it was first come, first serve. Well, roll with it and adjust as necessary as usual.
Of great concern during the week was the weather. As many of you know, I’ve had my share of weather extremes the last couple of years, from downpouring rain, thunderstorms, and high wind to blazing heat and humidity. So, this is always a concern. And of course, I couldn’t go the entire season without some sort of rainy event, huh? Looking at the weather model output, it was looking like this was the one. Forecast consistently called for showers, though with the heavier weather in the afternoon. At least it wouldn’t be too hot and starting early meant no real wind during the bike. And in some ways, I do much better on the run if it’s cloudy with showers. So, maybe this wasn’t a bad thing after all. At least it would be short. The one thing that could really put a damper on it was a thunderstorm during the pool swim. Didn’t look like that would be the case, though.
Before this event, I also prepared for the bike-to-run transition with a double brick the week prior. This turned out to be a good way to prepare I think as I also got more familiar with the run course as it had changed since I ran it a couple of years ago. It also told me just what I was capable of as well during the second brick where I went pretty much at race pace.
Okay, it’s race morning now and looking at the radar, it’s lightly raining (sigh). And even heavier showers are moving in from the southwest. Well, deal with it and get going. Prepare my usual pre-race breakfast: protein drink, whole wheat bagel with organic peanut butter and raspberries, and coffee. Yum! Then I had to pack a bit more due to lack of time the night before. Get my racing clothes on which helps me mentally to prepare for the race. Out the door a bit later than I wanted but I got there in plenty of time.
At the event parking area, it is dark and lightly raining. Dang. But, I get my gear and bike and move over to transition. Club member Dave Warner is there waiting to filter folks into transition. We chat for a moment and I find the spot near the Bike In/Out area of transition. I have found if I can pick the spot, I’d rather be near this part as it gives me a better T1 time and I find that I warm up my legs better running through most of transition and they’re much better to go when I actually get on the run course. After racking my bike, make my way over to body marking, come back to lay out gear, half fill aero container, and pump tires. Now for this race, I was going very minimal: no socks, no sunglasses, no hat, no gel, and no headband. I only needed the very basics for this distance as it’s more about speed than endurance. And since it was cloudy and rainy, I didn’t need a lot that I would usually have on a longer race with better weather. In addition, I only took 2 Clif Blocks in my bento box on my bike and planned on taking both of these at the 1/2 mile out and back on Industrial Lane as that would allow the sodium and caffeine to kick in during the run. Pretty much done by around 6-ish. And the rain continues to fall.
As other folks filter in, club member Julian Coiner shows up and he’s on the end of my rack. We chat then for a bit. Not sure in what order, but I get to chat also with George Corbi, Jason Senuta, Kip Jawish, Bernie Sellers, Chris Hall, and Elite Herb Spicer while we’re all waiting for things to get going. This is George’s first real tri and we did the double brick together the week prior. So, I’ve been offering tips that I found useful to him, but really up to him to see what works. Find out that since there’s no Clydesdale category, Kip is in my AG as well. I also know there’s a strong cyclist by the name Robert Gramm who’s in my AG and attempting his first tri. So, there’s competition now in my new AG this year. I thought this should be interesting.
Ken Racine holds the prerace meeting and answers questions from the racers as the rain continues to fall. Unfortunately, the race is delayed a bit due to some unforeseen difficulties but Ken assures us we’ll get going as soon as we can.
Not too long after, the first group of folks in the swim line up and I get out of their way while waiting for my group of numbers. The rain really starts to come down in spurts and many folks are trying to find shelter here and there. And it’s starting to make an impact on many of us as we start to shiver in the cool rain. I tried to lightened the mood a bit here and there by telling some of my own crazy weather tri stories which people seem to appreciate.
At last, it’s time for me to line up for the swim portion (in the pouring rain again mind you). This is a pool swim of 328 yards (300m), 12 lengths/6 laps. In order to get folks out on the course as quickly as possible, this year’s swim format was different than the first year I did it. That year, groups of 12 went in and the next group wouldn’t start until that group was completely done. This year was more of a continuous swim where when a person in a lane was done, the next person on deck would get in the water and a 30 sec countdown commenced from a given time on the race clock. While in line, Meredith Roark is there (though I was embarassed to say that I didn’t recognize her in her tri/swim outfit). So we talked about the season and then wished each other well as we got on deck. Just then, the rain seems to be lightening up quite a bit (halleluyah!). And so, it’s my turn. Get in the water and my lane volunteer starts the countdown…30 sec….20 sec (start my stopwatch)…15 sec….10 sec…5..4..3..2..(go underwater and count 1…)…GO! Now, I’m not the fastest swimmer out there as many of you know. But, I can push off the walls with a lot of power so I do this with every turn today. The first couple of laps I think I’m actually moving fairly well for me but the wall pushoffs help a great deal too. At the 5th lap, I’m getting a bit tired but continue to press as best I can. I see the kickboard in the water at the end of the lane indicating this is the last lap and now start to go anaerobic with my stroke trying to put a sprint in, especially for the last length. Hit the wall and popup out of the water, trying to ensure I don’t injure myself in the process. And I’m running out of the pool area, down the steps, and into transition.
There were no split times so estimate my pool swim at 5:45. May have been faster because I think I might have been moving better with the powerful wall pushoffs.
Go to my gear, get my helmet on, and have some difficulty getting my wet biking shoes on. Takes me just a little bit longer than I would’ve liked to do this but get them on and jog with my bike to the mount area which is right there. Dave Warner yells well wishes and luck to me and I’m off on the bike course.
T1 estimate 1:33
Now, the rain had really let up thank goodness, but the roads were pretty wet. So, I just had to be careful about the turns. I’ve trained and ridden the course several times so knew pretty much what to expect. As I’m breathing with some effort, I know that I’m just below Lactate Threshold and try to relax just a bit so I can save something for the run. But, I find that I’m not too uncomfortable and just decide to go with this level of effort. After all, this is about speed and not really endurance. I come up on a cyclist ahead of me and pass by. Then another. And interestingly enough, I pass a guy I recognized – Kip! He doesn’t go until later but I was confused for a bit and later found out he was just warming up. As I make the second turn for Governor Lane Blvd, I see another person way up ahead and go into chase mode. Make the turn onto Industrial Lane for the short out and back and see several folks on this part of the course. I proceed to pass a few others and as I make the turn onto Edward Daub, pass a couple more. The only short hills in the course come up ahead and six folks are ahead of me but most are on hybrids or mountain bikes. Basically zoom past. After the turn on Sterling, there’s one person who is moving smartly on a road bike and I try to chase him down as well. Finally pass him after another turn. Wow, entering the park for the final leg and pass someone else. Pass by Julian who’s on the run course and he yells something like “Get going Lance!” Now, that might’ve been Kip as I passed him again right about here. That’s when the the final downhill appears and I’m hammering in the 53 x 11 for all its worth, passing two more folks in the process. I had practiced where to get out of my shoes and that point appears. Get out of my bike shoes but almost forget to swing my leg over and balance to the dismount. But, do that successfully again and hit the dismount line running to my rack area.
Bike time estimate 32 min
I very quickly rack my bike, take off my helmet, and slip on my shoes. They unfortunately are wet and I should’ve turned them over to prevent the rain from soaking the inside. I make sure real quick that I don’t have debris in them, slip them on (lock laces make all the difference in transition!), grab my race belt with my number, and head out to the run course. As I do so, I hear Ken on the loudspeaker say “There goes Dave Miller who’s burning up the course today” (or something like that). That actually gave me a bit of a boost to get going.
T2 estimated time 1 min. That might have been less as I only had to put on shoes today and headed out, putting my race belt on as I did so.
My legs feel just a little slow but not bad and I feel like I’m moving pretty well as I get onto the run course. From last week’s double brick, I estimated I ran the course at a 6:57 pace. So I knew what I was capable of. Chris Hall has already finished and is there at the pavillion after the first turnaround to wish me well and says I’m moving well. Julian comes back into view as he’s about to finish with me heading out and we exchange “fives”. Now not quite a mile into the run, I was thinking how nice it would be to just sit and rest a spell, but quickly shake that thought out of my head. Part of the run course took us out onto the grass for another turnaround and I thought this was kinda interesting. I almost ran into the tape because I didn’t see the “entrance” the grass part outline by the tape. I was a bit afraid of slipping too as it was still wet but the grass proved to be no problem. As I’m coming back onto the paved path, I see George and think that he’s going to catch me here as he’s a faster runner than me. So, I’m motivated to keep my legs going as I complete mile one and get onto the park road. Now I’m passing a good number of folks so I know I’m moving. And it becomes a bit difficult on mile two as we go up a slight hill to the next turn around. But, it doesn’t present any real problem as I know on the way back I’ll use gravity to my advantage. I then see George make the turn on the grass and I thought that he seems to have slowed as I would’ve thought he would be closer behind me. So, perhaps he isn’t going to catch me. Well, no time to think like that now and needed to continue my pace. I take one gulp from some water at the aid station near the final turn around and pour the rest on myself. I reach the turn around and start the last mile back to the finish. Interestingly, the sun is starting to come out and I can feel a bit more humidity at this point but that doesn’t seem to affect me too much. Now the same downhill I hammered on the bike is with me on this last part. I see George going up the hill here as I’m on this part and wish him well. I’m starting to breathe hard but using gravity to carry me along down the hill as fast as I’ll allow it. The hill ends and I turn going back up the path but then using a last downhill to carry me quickly to the last turn uphill to the finish. I’m up the hill, the Finish arch is in sight, and I charge forward giving everything in a final sprint! The announcer calls my name as I reach and pass under the arch to the waiting nice volunteers. They hand me some very apperciated cold water, take my number tag, and drape a finishing medal over my neck (which is a nice touch for everyone). Yea! My second Hagerstown Sprint Triathlon is complete.
I stopped my watch just after the finish and looked the time – 1:02:31. Since I started it 20 sec early, that would mean 1:02:11. Wow! That’s 3:30 under my time two years ago of 1:05:41. So at the least, I was pretty sure I PR’d for the course.
I stuck around the finish area and see George, Jason, and Herb finish. We all talked for some time and clapped for others finishing. Talk to Dan Pfeil who was here for support. I then walked over to the pool area as there were still many others who had yet to start the race. Checked out the numbers on folks and found a new friend I recently met online via BeginnerTriathlete.com. Her name is Linda (or online Terps421). It was great to again meet someone you just exchange messages with. From her logs, she’s a good distance runner, does weight training, and is improving her swim and cycling abilities. So, we discussed tris, the race, the Frederick Tri Club, cycling, and where she lived. Turns out Boonsboro, so we’ll have to get together for some rides as I have a few routes I like to do there. And looking post race at the BT website, which has a section devoted to discussing the race, others from BT realized who I was later on and had some comments for me.
Well, finally it was time to grab my wet gear out of transition and put it in the car. I really dislike when all the stuff gets wet like that. But, the sun was now out and I just put it all out to dry in the car. Decided to at least put on the race T-shirt and see about wishing other folks well. It was then I found that Kip was still waiting. I think it was near 10 by this time. He was in the last group to go into the pool and unfortunately he had a beginner in his lane who was having a hard time consistently doing freestyle. Now, mind you, I’m not putting this person down here. Anyone that attempts and completes a triathlon is far ahead of a lot of other folks out there, no matter their abilities. I was just feeling for Kip as he had been waiting quite a while already. But his turn did come. What was interesting is the guy next to Kip also took off quickly and Kip worked to catch up at the wall. But, then the guy paused and started to do breaststroke and you could just tell Kip was thinking “Where’d he go?”.
Well, meet back up with George and hung around the pavilion waiting for the last folks to come in and results to be tallied. Now because there’s no chip timing, this takes quite a long time. So much so, that Ken promised to have it next year. We cheer Kip as he passes by on his run and I jokingly stick my foot out to mimic tripping him up. And then about 15 min later, we see him finishing and go to discuss the race with him. Then back to the pavilion to wait some more. Take in a bit of food there as well which consisted of cookies, bagel chunks, fruit, and bars. Drink was water and Heed. Actually, I prefer that to pizza that they’ve had at some events. Can’t stomach that quite as well after an event.
While we’re waiting, Ken raffles off some prizes and I actually get a swim workout training book, which I may already have. If so, I’ll have to pass it along to someone else in the club that would like it.
So the big moment of awards finally arrives. In the Overall placings, Herb Spicer took 1st with a new course record and Jason Senuta took 2nd. George took 1st in M 45-59 (his first real tri), Kip took 1st in M 50-54, and Meta Hernandez took 1st in W 35-39. Linda, the gal from BT, took 2nd in W 45-49 and I congratulated her later.
Now, there was some intraclub rivalry going on before the race and emails flying back and forth on this. So, after Kip was announced as taking 1st in our division, Ken mentioned this rivalry and then called me to the podium. I came in 34 sec behind Kip and took 2nd in M 50-54! Final time – 1:02:03. That’s 3:38 under two years ago! I placed 12th out of 278 finishers. So I was very pleased with my performance as it really showed how much I’ve learned during the last couple of years. I had hoped a bit to get done under an hour, but perhaps another year.
During the awards ceremony, I realized that there were beginners taking AG awards who had not expected it. It was then I actually felt a bit guilty taking an AG award away from such a person. Now into my third season with several races under my belt including three Half Ironman distances, I believe I’m an experienced triathlete and probably at the intermediate level. So, the AG award doesn’t mean quite as much to me in this case. So, I suggested to Ken that for next year, perhaps have an Open Division. These would be the people who are experienced, faster, and would be akin to the pros in the larger races. These folks would go as a group in the swim and be separated from the true beginners, which for many, this is their first tri. People in the Open Division would expect to have finishing times under 1:05. But, folks would still have a choice whether they felt comfortable doing this and could still enter the AG division if not.
Well, that wraps up another successful event, tri race fans! Hope you enjoyed my account and that perhaps you’ll consider racing in this event in a future season.
Until next time…
“Race Report” Dave