Race Report - Lifetime Fitness Indoor Tri, Bloomingdale IL
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Sunday, February 28, 2010
Lifetime Fitness Indoor Triathlon
As my followers know I always focus on long course events, in fact I have only done one triathlon shorter than a half ironman in the last 3 years and I've only done one sprint in my life. The reason … my swim sucks and in the short races I don't have enough time to catch up. I have been working on my swim for a while now (well over a year) and it is continuing to get better, so I decided to give a short race a try.
I signed up for a Lifetime Fitness Indoor Triathlon and figured I would be competitive on the bike and run, and just hoped my new swim skills would keep me from losing too much ground on the swim.
When I got to the race I was expecting it to be really low key with a few people that look like serious competitors and mostly people trying to get in shape. Well, I was wrong. I pulled into the parking lot and saw multiple Ironman license plates and stickers. While registering, I found out that there were a bunch of guys from the Northern Illinois University Triathlon Team there, and on the way to the pool, two guys were putting on speed suits.
I quickly realized this was not just going to be an easy workout.
On a side note, I felt like a tri geek wearing my race kit to a small local race, but I felt better after seeing the speed suits and compression socks others had on. Triathletes (myself included) sure are an interesting bunch.
Swim (637.5 M in 10' – 1:34 / 100 M – 2nd OA)
I started the swim comfortably hard and the women in the lane next to me put about 5 meters on my in the first length. I quickly realized again it was time to push, so I did and finally caught her about 3 laps later. The rest of the swim was pretty uneventful, I just focused on my technique the whole time. Looks like all the drills and swim lessons are paying off.
Bike (18.5 Miles in 30' – 3rd OA)
The bike was on a spin cycle with a computer that measured the speed of the flywheel. Therefore the higher your cadence the more points you get. I settled in at about 125 rpm and just stayed there for 30'. I tried to go faster but I would start to bounce and since this was my first time on a spin bike I was really nervous about hurting a knee because of the fixed gear/flywheel I wasn't used to.
Run (3.53 Miles in 20' – 1st OA)
My goal was to set the treadmill to my 5k PR pace and see what happens. I found out what happens at 15 minutes in when I started to feel like I was going to throw up and couldn't keep my eyes open. To save myself from completely blowing up I brought it down to 10 mph for two minute and then tried to start working back up. I'm disappointed I couldn't hold 11 mph the entire time, but I'm still pleased with holding a 5:40 pace for 20 minutes off the bike and after just returning to running about 6 weeks ago (from a 6 week break due to injury). This was also the first race I've used my Zoot Ultra TT shoes in, and they were awesome, very light and felt great. I can't wait to get a pair on the new Zoot Ultra Speeds to try seeing as they are over 2 ounces lighter!
Summary
I ended up with 201 points and 1st overall, my first overall win ever! I've had a number of age group wins but never been able to crack first overall. Hopefully this is a sign of good things this season. I had a ton of fun at the race and think I might even do another one (who knows maybe I'll even race something shorter than a half ironman this year.
It was interesting that my bike was the weakest split, last year I always did the best on the bike. I'm thrilled with the improvement in my swim though.
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Comments
125 rpm on the bike, wow, that's spinning!
At that speed on the treadmill I can't imagine closing my eyes for more than the time it takes to blink. I would have flown off the back. Congrats on the 1st OA!
tom
Nice job, Matt! I love how pro you manage to look on the spin bike -- not an easy feat.
Nice job Matt!! Looks like your swim is coming around nicely and the bike thing, well holding 125rpm for that long would have did me in for the run I think. The shoes will help you more than you think. I just got a pair of the Asics Paranhas (3.8oz..) and they are a huge difference in my intervals.
Oh, and remember doing shorter races can be a good thing to help you get better in the swim. Also if you are behind in the races you will push that much harder in the bike and run and always get a far better workout than you ever could any other way. I've always been the same way, thinking how could I ever get a win overall with my slow swim, but I just put that aside now and just use it as a whip to get me better.
Great way to start your season. I'm sure it is a sign of good things to come for the year for you.
@Trent, great point. There is no way I would have pushed myself that hard in the pool or on the treadmill on my own. Plus, I'm sore today so it had to be a decent workout. There are a few more in the area, so I may have to do another.
Great job Matt!! Yeah I have to say 11 mph on the treadmill would have me across the room in no time! Sounds like a lot of fun, glad you are doing so well!
Great job! Way to represent!
Yes. Tri Geeks are indeed different...
Running on the boardwalk yesterday in Santa Monica and saw 3 different "guys" running fully kitted up in their respective colors. Tri-shorts, race top, etc. WTF...no race, no contest. Got to where I was turning around and there was another guy fully kitted out on close to $10,000 bike pedaling through the crowd (sunday and sunny) with outrageous sun glasses and not helmet!
GEEKS
Nice Job Matt.
1:34/100M is awesome!
For many people (myself included), running on treadmill is slower than running outside so I wouldn't get too worried about it.
To add to the short distance point, I like to start the season with a duathlon or sprint as it helps me to reduce the anxiety before the important event.
Excellent job Matt! On the bike split being your "weakest", from what I read, you weren't really measuring your biking ability, as much as how fast you can pedal with little-to-no resistance. Thats the challenge of the indoor tri - how to get comparable data on a stationary bike!
Congrats on a great effort!!