Login
Reston Area Triathletes RATS.net Logo

Race Result

Racer: Kevin Shaw
Race: Reston Sprint Triathlon
Date: Sunday, May 20, 2007
Location: Reston, VA
Race Type: Triathlon - Sprint
Age Group: Male 45 - 49
Time: 1:08:27
Overall Place: 22 / 130
Age Group Place: 4 / 18
Comment: First Tri!



Race Report:



I arrived at Lake Newport Pool at 6:00 and was surprised to be the second bike in the transition area. I stowed the bike and went to body marking. Temps wer in the mid 50sF and there wer a cuple of passing showers.

Wit a whole bunch of time to spare, my wife was begging for a coffee fix. So we headed across the street for some coffee, I just had a small cup.

I set up my transition area and it looked like everything was good to go. The skies seemed to start clearing and it looked like it would be a perfect race day!

I met fellow Reston Runner EllenM and my "coach" from my Tri Newbie class. At 7:15 we headed over to hear the final briefing and then a last minute potty break before getting into my wetsuit. Bib #97 DannieleL. gave me a tip about putting baby powder in my socks which I did and Ellen gave me a tip about putting on the wetsuit which worked well (turn it inside-out and then kinda rolling it up).

I headed out on deck to watch the first swimmers exit out of the water where I met fellow Rat Shawn who was there taking pictures. We had a few no shows until bib #100 (I was 101) so there was a brief wait but soon enough it was time to jump into the pool and before I knew it I was off and swimming. My right goggle seemed to be filling quickly with water and since I was wearing contact, I didn't want to loose one so I side stroked a couple of strokes while I dumped and rest, problem was reduced but not corrected so I took a couple of second at the first turn to get things secured. I caught up to #100 on the second length and then passed a few more at the third, id did have to breast stroke just before the turn as I caught them near the end and couldn't pass, this happened a few times but not really enough to be annoying. I could hear a few people calling out my name (namely my coach, JR, and Tri classmates Judi, Zelalem, and Naomi) which really helped! It seemed like a really quick 400 as I was now powering down the last length and passing a bunch of people. Man I love the wetsuit!! Swim time: 6:53, ranked #1 in my age group, wow that was nice!

I flopped out of the pool and sprinted to T1 where I got the wetsuit off fairly easily but had to sit to get my socks on. I saw my wife and Judith the mount point. T1 time: 2:02 Rank #4

The bike was really fun, three loops around Rest. On the second loop #100 (John) passed me but I was having none of that, I decided to hammer it and re-passed him and a couple of more. I did get passed by a couple of very low bib numbers but since I was doing a fair share of passing my "type A" side was not really bothered. I saw Shawn taking pictures and of course my wife. Here I must say that the volunteers were fantastic, very positive and very helpful! On the third loop I was having so much fun that I might have goggled out loud. Man what a sport, I kept thinking, what in the heck took me so long to find this? The course was challenging with some nice grade especially on Baron Cameron Drive, but the down-hills more than made up just needed to take it easy on the turns! I saw JimA and company from RR's while on the ride. Ride time: 34:45, Rank #8

John (bib #100) was right on my heels and came cruising into our T rack and since he didn't need to change shoes, he cruised right back out. I heard someone shout "Your bib #, where's your bib#" and he stopped and turned around, so I grabbed my bib # belt and blasted out of T2 ahead of him. T2 time: 1:02 rank #2.

I tried to grab a cup of water out of T2 and spilled most of it as I crossed the timing mats, we were directed onto the grass which was a surprise as I thought we were supposed to stay on the black macadam path but I took a quick left onto the path and we were told to stay to the left for the first part. That was different as I naturally want to stay to the right. I looked down to check my pace on my Garmin and realized it was still sitting on my bike, merrily counting my T2 time. Oh well, no problem I'm going to run as fast as I am capable anyway. The Reston paths are usually pretty hilly and this one was no exception! I continued to pick off runners but I could feel the run taking it's toll on my as my breath was starting to get labored. The volunteers, again, were fantastic and very encouraging. At about 3/4 of a mile into the run, I was crossing a street and rolled my left ankle. The pain was not too sharp or intense, but I did let out a bit of a yelp. I decided I could continue at the same pace and tried to keep up my pace. After the water stop there was a steep up-hill and I was able to pass two runners going up. The course then seemed to keep going up as we went through a neighborhood. We turned along Whiele Ave and back to the water stop and underneath Whiele Ave. Crossing Center Habor, I ran into (pun intended) some Reston runners that I actually knew (Maria being one) The cheered me on (and up) and I actually made a wrong turn, it didn't coast me any place but did probably eat up about 15 seconds as I figured out my error. I saw two more shirts to catch, so I spent the last .5 miles reeling them in.

Finally I saw the pool through the trees and new it was time for my final kick, if I had one left. turns lout I did, we turned onto the grass and I saw the Blue finish arch where I really kicked it in and passed the two shirts I was focused on.

Run time: 23:47, not blistering fast but below my 24:00 goal!

Total First Tri time of 1:08:27. Man, am I happy, I was hoping for 1:30:00.

Overall a total blast, and I am definitely hooked on this multi-sport thing!!! I even won a $25.00 Potomac runner's Gift certificate as a door prize and also a tech t-shirt because my birthday is in May!