Geelong Triathlon 2011

Geelong, Olympic distance, February 20, 2011 - website USMEvents

Accepted Entries results my result

My second Olympic distance race this season, and also my second Olympic distance race at Geelong. This race was the first of three qualification events for those 2011 Age Group Olympic distance Triathlon World Championships in Beijing.




Having completed most of My 6 week training program (based on my HIM program which was based on one from trinewbies.com), with only a 10 day gap in swimming about 3 weeks out (stitches in my chin), and a minor upper back strain (1 week out), I was hoping for an Olympic distance PB (as usual). However the weather really didn't help my cause, with strong winds (about 40-50km/h) affecting the mid part of the swim (heavy swell farthest from shore) and a very strong headwind on return leg of the bike. In the four races I have now done at Geelong, I have had, rain, hail (on the bike ouch, ohh, ouch), and shine (40 degree heat day after Black Saturday bushfires), and now gale force winds.

Overall my result was OK given conditions, 2:35:31 some 25 seconds better than my previous effort in Gatorade Race 3, especially considering my bike was almost 7 minutes slower this time out. Result "achievements"in a large field over this distance:

1. Highest overall position finish 355/821
   
2. Geelong Olympic distance PB 2:35:31 (previous 2:41:44 Challenge Series Apr/2009)
3. 3rd fastest Olympic distance time (behind 2:32:50 and 2:35:06 both at Sandy Jan 2010/2009 respectively)
4. Highest Category place 41/90 and proportional position (top 45%)
5. 2nd fastest swim time 32:56 (behind 27:27 which was downstream in a river)
   
6. Highest swim overall and category proportional position (top 65%) - yeah not that great ;)
7. Highest bike category proportional position (51%)
8. 2nd fastest 10km run off bike42:59 (behind 42:43 Sandy Jan/2010)
9. Highest overall run proportional position (top 25%) , and category position 18/90 (top 20%)

Other notes:

1. Actually swam pretty straight for once, sighting was OK until farthest from shore where swell was up to 1m.
2. Wet suit didn't rub on back of neck for once!
   
3. Somebody appeared to either grab onto my leg, or pull my timing band off during swim - weird.
4. Bike was again pretty awesome, hit 49km/h with a slight down hill and tail wind. Was averaging about 40km/h with the wind.
5. Felt pretty good on the run until about 3km to go where my abs started to scream!
6. Strong winds, bright sunshine, and then a touch of rain at the finish - just like Melbourne only some 100km from home.
7. I checked the bike in Saturday as prescribed, which meant a extra trip to Geelong (had to be back in Melbourne late Sat arvo). Not long after I checked in they "closed" registration due to the winds, and the remainder had to check-in on Sunday. Arrgghh.
   

Garmin Connect details: Swim T1 Bike T2 Run