I'm a little behind on this race report (sorry) but I really do like the Staten Island Triathlon for several reasons. It's low key, easy swim, flat course and not on everyone's radar. I'm not sure if it was my imagination, but the race felt a bit less intense this year compared to last year. I did meet a couple of triathletes who were using this race as a final tune up for upcoming Ironman events. Plus, my brother did the duathlon and it's always fun to race with other family members. So here we go:
Although I picked my packet up on race day, they did offer a packet pickup the evening before. Packet pickup the evening before wasn't convenient for me, so race day pick up was perfect and appreciated.
The transition area didn't have enough bike racks for everyone, so we were a bit crammed in. The other strange thing was that there were no designated bike racks. We were able to rack our bikes anywhere we wanted to. I found an empty rack close to the corner, and that was where I set myself up.
THE SWIM:
Once again, the swim took place on Midland Beach. The water was extremely calm and it was low tide. The buoys were set out for the 1/4 mile swim and we were allowed to take a practice swim. I got in and swam out to the first buoy and boom, I was able to stand up. This is my kind of triathlon! The water depth was to my chest. I had never done a triathlon where walking the swim course was an option.
Because I had signed up for the race last minute, I was in the last swim wave and there 3 minutes in between each heat. The first 3 swim heats got in and now it was our turn. The horn blew and in we went. Not too many of us, maybe 40 people at most. I found myself swimming with a group of younger people (teenagers) and they seemed to be having fun. They told me on the beach that they were runners and not swimmers, but they were all doing great out there. Plus, they made me smile.
Once the herd thinned out, I took it slow. I haven't been practicing swimming that much since Tom's diagnosis. Eventually I found my own personal space (and groove) and just kept swimming until the end. And if lifeguard support turns you on, this swim is for you! Lots of lifeguards in the water. The water was super calm. No waves, no chop, just lovely. It was one of the easiest swims I had ever done.
T1:
I came out of the water, ran up the beach and over the sand dune (built since hurricane Sandy). I ran into the transition area and what do I hear? The DJ is playing Enter Sandman by Metallica. Strangely enough, I had just downloaded that song earlier in the week! I had to tell myself to stop singing and get going.
Threw my sunglasses and bicycle helmet on, then my socks and cycling shoes. I didn't bother to wipe my feet down. One strange thing about this triathlon is that you have to wear your racing bib during the bicycle portion, even though your bicycle has a number attached to it. Anyway, I made sure to have my bib belt on. I grabbed Lexa and ran for the exit.
THE BIKE:
The bicycle portion of the race takes place on Father Capodanno Blvd. It's a flat, fast 3 loop course. On the way out you have a bit of wind in your face (as you head towards the Verrazano Bridge) but you have the wind at your back (at least a tiny bit) after the turn around. So that's where you need to take advantage of speed. The bicycle course is completely closed to traffic and the road conditions were pretty good. No major potholes to worry about. This year I didn't witness anyone falling off their bike, nor did I see any turkeys crossing the road either. It was pretty uneventful. I must have improved at bicycling because it felt easier to me this year. I rode the entire course in aero position and simply found a rhythm and kept on pedaling.
T2:
Dismounted the bike and ran into the transition area. Racked Lexa, took off my helmet, ripped my cycling shoes off and slipped my running shoes on. Grabbed my hat and ran out of transition. Since I was already wearing my bib, it was one less thing to think about. I was out on the run before I knew it and had my fastest T2 time.
THE RUN:
The run portion of the race takes place on pavers along the beach and leads up to the boardwalk area where you run for a while before the turn around point. The course is very similar to the Egan Run which we do every June. Its simply a 3 mile run in complete sun and no shade. There was one water station at the start of the course, and one in the middle.I purposely decided to start my run a bit slower because I keep getting nasty side stitches, which become quite painful. I grabbed a quick cup of water and settled into a comfortable pace that was just on the edge of "pushing it". I decided when I got to the turnaround (half way point) I would start picking my pace up for the remainder of the race, if I could.
I managed to remain true to my plan and did exactly what I had wanted to do. Slower and steady for the fist half, picked it up for the second half. This worked out perfectly for me because I wasn't in pain early on and I didn't have to worry about fighting the urge to walk. I was easily able to run the entire 3 miles and I felt good crossing the finish line. Plus, I don't tolerate running in direct sunlight very well, so that was another reason why I had to make sure to pace myself properly.
THE FINISH:I crossed the finish line and was genuinely happy with my overall performance. I knew I had worked hard without hurting myself. Did I leave anything on the table? That's hard to say. I think as triathletes it is in our nature to believe we could have done more or better. You know, maybe I could have pushed it more on the run because running is my strength yet I purposely held back a bit. But maybe pushing it would have burned me out, especially in the sun. I like to believe that I ran "MY" race and my personal best. I didn't allow myself to get sucked into anyone else's race pace that day.
They had a nice little after party and they didn't dilly-dally with the awards ceremony. They get right down to it and move everything along.
And...tada! I won 2nd place female for my age group. After going back and looking at the results, the first place age group finisher (female 45-49) beat on the bike. So I have something to work on as an area of improvement. And yes, my swim needs help too obviously. But all in all I had a good, solid race and I am always grateful to be able to physically take on the challenge. It was a good day!
MY TIME OVERALL:
Swim: 11:03
T1: 1:42
Bike: 37:57
T2: 0:51
Run: 25:26
TOTAL: 1:17:00
89 out of 194 participants
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