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Race Result
| Racer: |
Fabrice Guillaume |
| Race: |
Patriot's Half |
| Date: |
Saturday, September 12, 2009 |
| Location: |
Jamestown Beach Campground - Williamsburg, VA |
| Race Type: |
Triathlon - Half Ironman |
| Age Group: |
Male 30 - 34 |
| Time: |
5:02:48 |
| Overall Place: |
23 / 290 |
| Age Group Place: |
5 / 45 |
| Comment: |
Flat and scenic race |
Race Report:
This was my last 2009 Tri race before I focus on running races.
Leading to the race, I focused on all 3 sports, especially after Luray where I had a very average race (bad swim and run).
My goal was to set a PR and have a fast bike on this quite flat race. I had also kindly received from Craig his 808 Zipp wheels and from Scott his aero helmet.
This would be my very first time I would race with racing wheels and helmet.
Swim: 41:27 16/45
The swim was a rectangle shape, in the reverse order as planned. This was because of the tide. I was in the first wave and I was quite happy to swim in it without too much chaos (still remembering the 2500 mass swim start from IM France…).
The first part was hard to keep a straight line because of strong currents (or the tide).
The 2nd and 3rd parts were hard because we were facing the sun and spotting the bouyes was quite a difficult task. The only thing I could see was a few swimmers ahead of me that I just followed.
I felt quite good the entire swim segment. I just wished I had been able to spot better and swim straight lines. My time is definitely not good and I think I probably put an extra 200m with the zig zag swim...
T1: 4:03 12/45
I was happy that the transition was actually shorter this year (because again of the swim that was inverse). However it was still quite a stretch to get to the bikes...
Bike: 2:32:03 2/45
The bike was quite flat with a few rollers. We also had a bit of wind but overall great conditions for a fast bike. I was feeling good and I tried to keep some for the run. I remember staring at my computer trying to guess if I was pushing too hard or not as my speed was averaging 23 mph which I am not accustomed to on this distance. I think that combining the 3 factors (IM training / flat race / wheels + aero helmet) helped with this.
T2: 1:12 4/45
Run: 1:44:04 6/45
The run course was a new one this year.
I could have gone faster as my legs were fine. But I dealt with stomach cramps the first 3 miles. And I also did not hydrate well. The middle of the run was definitely slower, but I finished my last 4 miles with negative splits (thank to a gel at mile 9). When I finished the race and I saw 5:02 at the clock, I was very happy to set a new PR from my 5:25:59 at Morgantown last year although my swim was slower.
I recommend this race to any FeXY/RATS wanting to race not to far from DC (3 hours drive) and in a pretty good set up (flat bike, some shade on the new run course compared to previous years).
And Congrats to the other FeXY/RATS racers that raced this WE too at IM Wisconsin and Reston!
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