Race Result

Racer:	Jamie Campbell
Race:	To The Point Triathlon
Date:	Sunday, October 3, 2004
Location:	Point Lookout, MD
Race Type:	Triathlon - International Distance
Age Group:	Male 30 - 34
Time:	2:55:06
Overall Place:	96 / 157
Comment:	Getting better with each race

Race Report:

Pre Race:

Made it up to the packet pickup without incident on Saturday afternoon. I checked into the hotel and got a good night sleep. Woke up in the morning and had some fruit and a bagel around 5:30am. I did one more check and made sure I had everything and left for the race. Got to the park at 7:15am and set up transition area.

Swim 27:27

The swim was a out and back course. We had to swim straight out from the beach to a buoy, take a right and swim parrallel with the beach and then back. After hearing the race coordinator explain 3 times that the current was really strong and we would have a tough swim out, I have to say I was a little nervous. Started the swim in middle of everyone else. Got kicked, punched and all that fun stuff but eventually found plenty of room. When I finished and looked at my watch I have to say I was pleased with the swim because my Reson time was almost 7 minutes slower. Transition time at Reston was 7 minutes but this one was around 2:30 so I was happy with that.

Bike 1:32:06

My goal on the bike was to keep my cadence up between 80-90 rpm and keep the effort level down so I would feel good for the run. The bike started out into the wind so I concentrated on effort level and just tried to keep my goal in mind. I felt good for the ride and passed quite a few people even though I was still keeping the effort level down. Overall I was very pleased with the bike ride and staying focused on what I was trying to accomplish.

Run 53:53

Well, off the bike and running straight into the wind. I was paying very close attention to my legs and waiting to loosen up after the bike. My first mile was a 10 minute mile but then I started to feel better. The next 4 miles I ran at a nice easy 9 minute pace and felt confident that I had plenty of legs left to maybe pick up the pace for the last 1.2 miles. Just after crossing the 5 mile mark my left knee started hurting. I have battled with this all year but usually can walk it off. I kept walking then trying to run but I couldn't shake off the pain. I tried to stretch out my stride and that seemed to help. For the last .75 miles I basically went all out with long strides and was able to cross the finish line running and not walking.

Overall, I was happy with the race and the fact that I had a goal and stuck with it during the race. I'm working on the knee issue and hopefully I can rest and heal over the off season. This is my first year doing Triathlons and have to say I am hooked. I did Riverwatch, Reston and this race and had so much fun I have already signed up for Eagleman next year. Hopefully I can stay healthy while training and compleete that distance in June.