Race Result

Racer:	Keith Jacobson
Race:	Reston Sprint Triathlon
Date:	Sunday, June 1, 2008
Location:	Reston, VA
Race Type:	Triathlon - Sprint
Time:	(DNF)
Comment:	My First Race Report and my First DNF

Race Report:

2007 was my first year with 2 sprints and 2 olys. 2008 started with a DNF :-(.

I was simply not prepared. Many long stories short, I was
not prepared mentally, physically, or emotionally from
a personal perspective. I went into the race with the
idea of enjoying myself and not going for any PRs.

Swim.
Lot of No-Shows and I had a 2 minute window ahead of
me. Started strong and reminded myself to work on
stroke. However, after the first 100, I just was not
hitting my stroke. I stopped at the wall at 200 and
let 2 swimmers behind me pass (and to catch my
breath). I breast stroked 350 and worked on a strong
400 finish.

T1
Decided to catch my breath and take my time. Smooth
enough transition, but my bike mount may have had some
folks giggling - yikes :-).

Bike
Tried to keep a cadence and get my act together after
the swim. Hydrate and gel blocks. On Lap 2 I saw my
wife and 2 girls. THAT WAS GREAT. Put some life into
my pedaling. Really hit the 2nd lap well and maxed out at
33MPH on big downhill on Baron Cameron (a PR!). 3rd
lap was fine and the approach to transition was
uneventful. Definitely was tired on this lap.

T2
A little sloppy and not feeling well. But girls were
there - so bonus! Ran out of transition area and one
of the volunteers reminded me about my #. Hmmm,
several mental lapses. . .

Run
Out of shoot I got 2 cups of water. Dumped the 1st on
my head - ooops, accelerade or something - looking
forward to a sticky 3 miles. Right calf started
cramping right away. Stretched it out and started the
run. Then my triathlon nightmare kicked in. I began
loosing my vision - one of 1st indicators of a
migraine onset. Began walking and determined this was
for real and decided to turn back and get home ASAP.

Thanks to all the volunteers that I could hear
encouraging me as I walked back (sorry I could barely
see you). I tried to cower to the side of the trail
not impede any racers. I mentioned to Race Official I
need to end for medical and DNF. He told me to walk
through the finish line. Obviously I did not hit the
far timing mats - won't that screw up and I will look
like I cheated and not that I DNF'd - but whatever, I
needed to get home. [I looked on the race
results page and see that I am listed as a top 20
finisher. I sent an urgent email over to the email
address on the web page - hope this gets sorted out
ASAP.]

Special thanks to Keith B. for taking care of me at
finish and letting me use his cell as he was trying to
manage the incoming runners.

I hooked up with my wife and girls and we got home,
took some medicine and slept it off.

To the volunteers and spectators - THANK YOU. Even
after I turned back on the run, they were still
cheering. I had to look like a mess, but they were
giving great encouragement.

To the Police - THANK YOU. To the officer at the
intersection of Center Harbor Road and Reston Parkway,
WAY TO KEEP YOUR COOL. I was coming down the road with a few other racers gapped out and there was some guy SCREAMING at you with his hand raised, motioning, and telling you what to do. By the time, I passed I realized he was a motorist and was 'being inconvenienced' by the race. Kudos to you and the rest of the folks on the course.