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Race Result
| Racer: |
Greg Bishop |
| Race: |
Diamond In The Rough |
| Date: |
Saturday, July 9, 2005 |
| Location: |
Perryville, MD |
| Race Type: |
Triathlon - International Distance |
| Age Group: |
Male 40 - 44 |
| Time: |
3:17:46 |
| Overall Place: |
608 / 688 |
| Age Group Place: |
46 / 50 |
| Comment: |
Great day to meet other RATS. |
Race Report:
2005 Diamond in the Rough Triathlon
Swim: 34:33
T1: 5:12
Bike: 1:38:37
T2: 2:45
Run: 56:41
Total: 3:17:46
I started the day at 4:00 and was driving by 4:30. The lines for check in, bike inspection and body marking were surprisingly long. I made it through the lines and was able to set-up in plenty of time.
For this event, I had to add a fourth goal to my usual three.
1) Be healthy.
2) Be happy.
3) Finish with an official time.
4) Stay on the bike going up the 7.5% grade (hills are definitely not my strength)
Swim: 34:33
While waiting in line to get my race packet, I overheard the head judge saying that he had measured the water temperature off of the dock at 79F, so after getting through all of the lines and setting up transition, I walked back to my car to put my wetsuit away. After it was announced that the official water temperature was 77.8F, I decided to go ahead and forgo the wetsuit, even though the race was wetsuit legal (remembering my wetsuit troubles at Columbia). I made it into the water for the swim start with no trouble and the swim went mostly uneventfully, other than being run over by a few competitors from later waves. The most difficult part of the swim in this race is definitely getting out of the water. Who know how long it would have taken without the wonderful exit volunteers.
T1: 5:12
Bike: 1:38: 37
This was my first time at Diamond in the Rough and the descriptions on the web site for the bike route almost caused me to no register for the event. 1 mile, 7.5% climbs are not my forte – I’m spending this year training for a long, flat course, not a short, hilly one. Heading through the light rollers at the beginning of the course, I was pas passed nearly continuously. I simply focused on trying to keep my output as constant as possible. Going down the first hill, I saw on biker down (but getting back on their bike and assuring the person in front of me that they were OK). I was fairly cautious in this descent, as I didn’t want to lose it on the sharp curves. On the flat going through town, I was again being frequently passed. I kept reminding myself to wait for the hill coming up and not push. We took the left turn and I see the grade. After starting the climb, I start having to increase output, but the going is steady. I start passing other competitors that recently passed me and start gaining confidence. As I cross the top of the climb and start trying to get my heart rate back under control, I realize that not only did I make it, but I passed about 20 people on the hill. I come to the descent and decide that on this descent, I would open it up and just let my bike roll. I tuck down and watch the road roll by. (After the race, I checked my bike computer and it turns out that I maxed out at 45.6mph.) After the climb and descent, the rest of the bike was fairly boring.
T2: 2:45
Run: 56:41
Coming off the bike, I’m ready for the flat run. My plan it to practice alternating running and walking to help prepare me for the long races planned for the fall. I met up with another competitor who had entirely given up on the run shortly after starting. We spent a good portion of the run talking and the miles went by almost without my noticing. We finished the run only about 1 minute slower than my race plan. During the run, I put to words one of my personal truths of triathlon: “I may be slow, but I keep going.”
Total: 3:17:46
I finished out the race meeting many RATS for the first time. By the time I get off the course at most triathlons, most of the field has already left, so it was a nice change of pace to be able to meet up and sit and talk with the group.
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