Metroplex sprint - Scott Ervin

Green member: Scott Ervin

Event: Metroplex Sprint Day 1

Location : joe pool

Class : 45-49

Results : 2nd AG , 41/243

Local knowledge and conditions : I've never raced this sprint that consists of a 400 meter open water swim, 11 mile bike and 2 mile run . This race wasn't on my schedule but Brent Mcilwain talked me into racing with him . Water was reported to be 83 degrees and the temp was 72 at race time with a 15-20 mile wind.

Pre-race strategy : should have warmed up in the lake before cause I haven't been swimming open water and my time reflected it , my strategy was to mentally just enjoy a glorified brick workout . I'm 15 -20 lbs heavier than this time last year due to a plantar issue I've been fighting since last December that really limits my willingness to run ---" just have fun on this" were my thoughts before the horn sounded .

Results : swim 10:04( terrible)
               T1- 1:26

               Bike 22.6 mph

                T2- :58

                Run- 8:09 pace

Lessons learned: this was a smoking bike course. There were 4 swim waves and started in the last wave . The good thing about starting in the final wave AND having a slow swim is that I enjoyed passing people on the bike . 

Funny : brent started 2 waves in front of me and so I was startled to see him waiting in T2 on me so " we could run together" Im not gonna give the particulars as to why he almost quit the race , he can do that , but let's just say I almost went anaerobic laughing as to why his race NEEDED to stop( buy a pair of tried shorts that are cut correctly next time ) !!

Dirty Rock RR --- Sara Gingrich

Green Member:  Sara Gingrich

Event: Dirty Rock 

Location:  Rockwall, TX

Class:  Female 20-24

Results:  1st AG, 15 OA, 2 Female OA

Local Knowledge and Conditions:  Thankfully, I went out and rode Squabble Creek on Friday. My mountain bike experience is fairly limited, so I  had a chance to figure out how to survive all the switchbacks and loopy-loos without the pressure of a race. The course was dry and hard-packed race morning and the weather was perfect!

 

Pre-Race Strategy & Warm-Up: I really wasn't sure how the 150yd pool swim and single track bike course was going to work out, so I had a hard time devising a race strategy. This is all I came up with: Get in/out of the water and onto my bike as quickly as possible, then not crash into any trees or eat it on a corner on my bike, and then run hard with a negative split on the 2 mile course. I did a little 10 min run to warm up and hopped in the pool. In hindsight, I wish I had spent that time on my bike and hitting the trail for a bit to get my confidence up on the bike.

Lessons Learned: #1: I love mountain biking!! This was my 2nd mtb race and I've only gotten to ride on a real courses a handful of times since I built up my bike this spring. I was embarrassingly timid on the course for the first 2 miles and pulled over to let a few people pass. Once I got comfortable, I had a blast and was able to push it a lot more. #2 I need to be more confident in my fitness, especially in these short races. I always hold back quite a bit until the end of the run thinking I won't have enough left in the tank.

Special Notes: It was great to see a bunch of other ProSoapers out there! I still haven't met a lot of y'all! Also, PlayTri did a great job! This was a really fun race. Plus it was well run and they had awards and results ready to go just in time for breakfast (not even brunch!)!

Metroplex & Dirty Rock ---- Brent McIlwain

Metroplex & Dirty Rock

 

Green Member:  Brent McIlwain

 

Event(s): Metroplex Sprint (Day 1)/Dirty Rock

 

Location: Lynn Creek Park/Rockwall

 

Class:  35-39

 

Results:            Metro: Reluctant Finisher

                        Dirty Rock: 22 Male Overall/7^th AG

 

Local Knowledge and Conditions: 

 

Metro: Competed last year and is the location of a number of other races, so I knew the course.  First open water swim of the year.  There was very little wind early, and predictably warm.  I was about as expected on swim.  The bike was out and back across the damn, and I felt pretty good going out, but on the turn I noticed some pain as a result of a "wardrobe malfunction" and so I slowed up to see if I could adjust.  I could not get comfortable in the aero position, and knowing that I was going to race the next day, I decided to pull up and soft pedal in.  I considered abandoning the race after the bike, but the "chaffing" did not seem as bad when running, so I waited on Ervin's to get to transition and ran with him.  I think my T2 was over 7 minutes.  Ervin killed the bike and had a great race…glad I got to run with him and didn't quit!

 

Dirty Rock: Rode Squabble Creek twice last week, but having never raced in an off-road event, and having limited experience on a mtb, I was not sure what to expect.  While I am not a beast on the bike like Hartley, I agree that the single track course made for some interesting experiences.  After clearing trails 1 and 2 with no problems, I ended up right behind a guy for what seemed like forever…there were no openings for passing and he was not about to pull over…finally saw my chance and began to pass only to be clipped by him, which sent me over the handle bars and into some brush—I clearly informed him I was passing…..  After that, I was a bit tentative, passing only when I had a clear path…loved the course though.

 

Pre-Race Strategy & Warm-Up:

 

Metro:  Wanted to kill it on the bike and run and beat last year's time, but didn't work out as planned….always next year.

 

Dirty Rock:      No strategy other than try not to crash…

 

Lessons Learned:

 

Metro:  Test equipment in race conditions.

 

Dirty Rock:      Extra care in passing on a single-track mtb course.

Tim Hartley - Dirty Rock Tri. 1st Clydesdale!

Green Member:  Tim Hartley

Event: Dirty Rock 

Location:  Rockwall, TX

Class:  Clydesdale 40 +

Results:  1st AG

Local Knowledge and Conditions:  Having ridden Squabble Creek certainly helped - I was able to "warn" the slow pokes ahead of me about obstacles and sharp turns in the hope they would go faster.  I finally quit because that wasn't working.  I thought it better to say nothing and hope that they would wipe out - THAT finally worked to some degree and I was able to ride "free" for a few minutes.  

 

Pre-Race Strategy & Warm-Up:  My goal was to win the "BIG BOY" age group but also to be in the top 10 overall.  Accomplished the first but not the latter.  I wanted to push it on the swim but not to the extent that I was gassed.  I planned on being a little conservative on trails 1 and 2 then opening it on on the rest of the course.  

 

Lessons Learned:  #1:  in this particular race, always put down a swim time faster that what you can do.  That way you don't get stuck behind slow bikers on the trail.  #2:  Either blow your witness because others won't let you pass or be kind and hope and pray for a few passing opportunities.  I chose the latter and actually was able to pass quite a few bikers without having them hate me for it.  (But, I estimate I lost 2-3 minutes of time on the trail because of the combo of my poor swim estimate and slow bikers.)   #3:  Went an-aerobic on the bike in the final mile because I was so peeved about dealing with so much trail traffic.  So, I started the run sucking air and didn't really get in a groove until the start of the second mile.  

 

Special Notes:  Playtri rocks a great race.  Do they "own" Rockwall?  Also, FANTASTIC job Team ProSoap!!