2006 Kirkland Triathlon Race Report

I completed my first triathlon, the Kirkland Triathlon in Kirkland, Wash., on Sunday, September 17. It was a sprint distance race, which includes a half-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and 5K run. I started training for the race in early July immediately after completing my first 10K. I worked on the three events in fits and starts over that 10-week period and, looking back, I see what was helpful and what wasn’t. Here’s my write-up of the various race segments and transitions plus my lessons learned.

Pre-race

It was a chilly morning and dark when I got out of bed at 4:30. I hadn’t slept all that well dreaming about different parts of the race while dealing with nerves. I went downstairs to stretch and have a light breakfast. I loosened up and ate my half bagel while watching an episode of The Crocodile Hunter.

Mugs got out of bed around 5 to get ready for a morning filled with wild bouts of cheering separated by long stretches of standing and waiting for me to finish a leg. She’s a trooper that wife of mine and her support was outstanding. Thanks buddy.

It was dark as I set-up my transition. I kept going back over it to make sure everything was there in the right order. I kept telling myself, “Just get dressed as fast as you did when that girl’s Mom came home and you’ll be fine.” I settled down and got read for my swim.

Swim leg – 00:18:49

It says a lot about the air temperature when you put your feet in the lake and actually find it to be warm. The morning wasn’t actually cold but it wasn’t summertime either. I was one of the few who did not wear a wetsuit and I would soon be regretting it.

We did a water start meaning you wade out with the others in your wave and stand there for five minutes until they blow the start horn. Five minutes it isn’t really a long time, unless you’re standing waist deep in a cold lake at 7:30 in the morning wondering if it’s too late to back out. It is of course so I dunk my head to get acclimated to the water and wait. When the horn sounds, I’m off with about 60 other men and women swimming on all sides of me.

A wetsuit provides two advantages in a swim race. It adds buoyancy allowing for faster, smoother swimming on the top of the water and it also insulates against the cold. Having neither of these advantages I did the half-mile cold and dragging ending up well behind the others and even getting caught by the leaders of the following wave. While being slowest isn’t fun, the positive byproduct is not having to swim in the crowd the whole time. I’ll spend more training for the swim next time. And I’m getting a wet suit.

I reach the shore, stumble out over the rocks and lumber on too the bike.

Transition 1 – 00:03:53

Ok, in order I now have to gather my senses, remove my cap and goggles, find my stuff, dry my feet, put on socks, put on my shoes, put on my shirt/bib, sunglasses, gloves, helmet, grab the bike and I’m off. I considered bringing shorts but they weren’t necessary. The swimsuit worked out very well. I think I can take at least a minute off of this time in the next race. Possibly more.

Bike – 00:48:13

I’d ridden the course several times in the weeks leading up to the race. The beginning is two miles of flat which I was thankful for. Coming out of the water, all of the blood was in my upper body meaning my legs were not ready to be cranking away on my bike. They’re surprised at the sudden change of activity and I’m paying for it. I feel like a slug struggling to pedal and get some speed. There are hills coming and I’ve got to get going.

The first hill is fine and I make the left heading along the ridge overlooking the lake. I passed a few people on this flat stretch and downshifted for a short but steep hill coming. My legs were feeling better at this point but I was crawling up the hill. I wasn’t alone thankfully. The next seven miles or so are like this with short stretches of flat or downhill sections leading into turns that head up. The first substantial hill was the only other time (aside from the swim start) I questioned the wisdom of entering the race. I didn’t dwell on it long as I was distracted by the sound of a tire deflating. It wasn’t mine thankfully but that of the guy immediately in front of me. I’m not sure what happened but he went from fine to zero air pressure in about three seconds. If he hit something it was a one shot deal. No mechanical problems for me on this leg.

The course ends with a few loooong straight aways into a few miles of downhill back to the transition. I’m getting better at staying low and cranking into the downhills but I still ride the brakes a bit. It’s better than it used to be but it needs to stop if I want to get a better time.

Looking back on the ride, I realize I was having a lot of fun. Getting a bike that fits me better will probably only enhance the experience.

Transition 2 – 00:01:07

Rack bike, remove helmet and gloves, run away.

5K – 00:26:11

The run is my strongest event and what I’ve done the most of this year. I was feeling pretty good about my prospects on the run coming into the tri having finished a 5K the week before in a personal best 00:22:24. I was understandably running slower this morning and suffered a bit from not doing any bike-to-run training. I found a comfortable pace about a half mile into the mercifully flat course. I knew there was no way I could repeat my 22 min performance but I was doing ok. I would be happier if I had come closer to an 8 min mile but considering the two preceding events, I think I did ok.

Total time – 01:38:13

My goal coming into the race was to be under 1:45:00 and I accomplished that with time to spare. I see the value of training for all aspects of the race, including transitions and the physical demands of quick change from one event to another on my body. My goal for the 2007 race is at or under 01:30:00.