After completing eight triathlons over the past three years I offer the following thoughts entering the offseason.
I am not a good runner. Two examples illustrate this; the first is my performance in the Monticelloman Olympic distance triathlon. After the bike portion of the race, within the 35-39 age group, I was in fifth place out of 28. After the run I was 17th. The previous year I participated in the Claytor Lake sprint triathlon. Out of 98 participants my run time ranked 89th.
During this offseason I am hanging up the goggles and bicycle. The fitness efforts I make this winter will be solely focused on improving my run time. Reading books, increasing leg strength, core strength, and increasing running workout distance and intensity will be the priority. A subset of the increased fitness shall be a loss of weight. I've often thrown around the ratio of 2.3 pounds (weight) to inches (height) as a goal weight. For all 6 feet 3 inches of me that means 172.5 pounds. I am currently 215 pounds and believe that weight to be an unrealistic goal. I therefore make my goal weight 190 pounds by April 2014.
I will likely look for a couple of reasons to hop in the pool and go for a bicycle ride. I do not plan on having a workout that specifically includes those disciplines for a while.
While focusing on running/weight, I will establish a secondary goal of increasing overall muscle tone. My arms are flabby, legs weak, and belly soft. Jiggling across the finish line is no way to go through life! Enhancing muscle tone twice a week is already one million times more than I focus on muscle tone now. That frequency sounds about right, and I reserve the right to adjust as I go.
I've spent about one thousand dollars on gear and entry fees. For the most part I've bought on the cheap and I have showed up to all the races I've entered. If I make another purchase it will likely be a bike. Tri bikes are expensive and I still want to ensure an investment in a bike is returned with exercise and physical fitness. I have also yet to find a pair of tri-shorts that don't fade after exposure to sun or chlorine. Those two items are on my watch list, but I have a feeling I am going to "go with what I got" for the time being.
My swim and bike times are not elite, or great. They are always in the top half of athlete performance and that gives me the confidence that a pause in training for those disciplines will not adversely affect my overall performance. Losing weight and increasing overall physical fitness will contribute to my performance in the swim/bike as well.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
2013 Virginia Beach Sandman Triathlon
15 September 2013 I completed the Virginia Beach Sandman Triathlon (Sprint Distance). This was my second year competing in this event. Overall I finished in 1:26:23 and 20 out of 38 in the Men 35 to 39 group. My rankings in the three disciplines tell a different story. Of all the male and female age-group participants I was ranked 56 out of 361, 99th in the bike, and 223rd in the run.
For breakfast I ate my traditional peanut butter and banana sandwhich with two cups of coffee. While driving to Virginia Beach I drank a spare bottle of water, to increase the volume of water I had in my body prior to the race. I also tried to eat early dinner the previous evening, so I didn't feel the urge for an immediate bowel movement during the race.
The only piece of new equipment I had was the elastic shoelaces. I did not wear socks in an effort to reduce time in the transitions.
Wetsuits were legal for this race, I love how much less energy I have to use when wearing a wetsuit. When swimming in the ocean I tried really hard to focus on my form. Today I felt as if I was reverting to splashing with open palms at the water and had to specifically tell myself that my form was incorrect and to start swimming properly. All the other participants behaved themselves, which made for a generally pleasant swim experience. This was not the same "750meters" that I swam last year. Last years race also had rougher seas, but there is no way that the wetsuit took off 7 minutes (Last years time was 20:08.)
No issues during T1, a little slow getting the wetsuit over the timing chip.
I felt like I was working harder than normal during the bike. I hadn't trained particularly hard on the bike in the weeks preceding the race. That's OK, I still think that weight loss and leg strength will help me get better at the bike, even if I'm not riding it every other day. I ended up 37 seconds slower than I had ridden the previous year. I suspect it is mostly due to the lack of time on the bike.
No issues during T2, I did like not having to tie a double knot in the shoes.
The run is my least favorite of the disciplines, 1minute 37 seconds slower than the previous years run. My legs did not feel as rubbery during the start of the run, but towards the end they felt like they were drained of strength.
Overall my time was faster than the previous years, but I think that was mostly due to a shorter swim. Between now and my next triathlon (next spring maybe) running, weight loss, and leg strength are my priorities.
https://www.raceit.com/results/default.aspx?event=14958&r=6371
For breakfast I ate my traditional peanut butter and banana sandwhich with two cups of coffee. While driving to Virginia Beach I drank a spare bottle of water, to increase the volume of water I had in my body prior to the race. I also tried to eat early dinner the previous evening, so I didn't feel the urge for an immediate bowel movement during the race.
The only piece of new equipment I had was the elastic shoelaces. I did not wear socks in an effort to reduce time in the transitions.
Wetsuits were legal for this race, I love how much less energy I have to use when wearing a wetsuit. When swimming in the ocean I tried really hard to focus on my form. Today I felt as if I was reverting to splashing with open palms at the water and had to specifically tell myself that my form was incorrect and to start swimming properly. All the other participants behaved themselves, which made for a generally pleasant swim experience. This was not the same "750meters" that I swam last year. Last years race also had rougher seas, but there is no way that the wetsuit took off 7 minutes (Last years time was 20:08.)
No issues during T1, a little slow getting the wetsuit over the timing chip.
I felt like I was working harder than normal during the bike. I hadn't trained particularly hard on the bike in the weeks preceding the race. That's OK, I still think that weight loss and leg strength will help me get better at the bike, even if I'm not riding it every other day. I ended up 37 seconds slower than I had ridden the previous year. I suspect it is mostly due to the lack of time on the bike.
No issues during T2, I did like not having to tie a double knot in the shoes.
The run is my least favorite of the disciplines, 1minute 37 seconds slower than the previous years run. My legs did not feel as rubbery during the start of the run, but towards the end they felt like they were drained of strength.
Overall my time was faster than the previous years, but I think that was mostly due to a shorter swim. Between now and my next triathlon (next spring maybe) running, weight loss, and leg strength are my priorities.
Place Name Swm Rnk ----- Swim ----- T1 Bike Rnk ----- Bike ----- Rate T2 Run Rnk ----- Run ----- Pace Time Total
121 JACOB BRAUN 56 12:16 2:15 99 42:48 19.6 1:06 223 27:56 9:01 1:26:23
121 JACOB BRAUN 56 12:16 2:15 99 42:48 19.6 1:06 223 27:56 9:01 1:26:23
https://www.raceit.com/results/default.aspx?event=14958&r=6371
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Monticelloman Olympic Triathlon
On 5 May 2013 I participated in and completed the Monticelloman Olympic distance triathlon. This was my first Olympic distance triathlon. The distances were a .9 mile swim, 24 mile bike ride, and a 10K run. I had completed a Sprint distance Tri the day before but didn't feel too exhausted. I had convinced myself that I was here to finish the race. My shoulders were more sore than I expected, due to increased resistance from swimming in a wetsuit, but nothing I couldn't overcome.
The .9 mile swim was in Lake Monticello, the "coolest" part of the swim course was that from the start line one could not see where the turn buoy was indicating the last leg back to the beach. It was around the bend from a promontory and out of view. Never done that before. This start was a beach start, and I didn't care how I entered the water. My priorities were not to get injured and not to get tired. A couple of annoying people swam near me at the start and their flailing arms hit my legs. No adverse effect, but it was annoying. Lake Monticello was significantly warmer than Smith Mountain Lake. Towards the end of the swim I could tell that the buoyancy of the wetsuit was helping to keep me afloat. As long as I kept my arms moving I would keep skimming along the surface. Achieving a sub 30 minute time in the .9 mile is kind of a big deal. Though I only got 29 minutes and 58 seconds, I am still proud of myself.
No issues in T1. Another smooth exit from the wetsuit and easy transition to the bike. I did not drag my foot across my gear and scatter it all over the place.
The bike had some big hills. BUT, there were plenty of big hills to go DOWN and I fully took advantage of the aero bars and I burned calories going downhill and tried to conserve energy going uphill. Somehow, in the 35-39 age group, I was 5 out of 27 after the run.
T2 was also very quick, under one minute.
I still suck at running. I only stopped running to drink water from the aid stations, and still posted a 1 hour 2 minute time for the 10K. That dropped me back to 17 out of 27 in the 35-39 age group.
Overall I was 113 out of 225 males.
The .9 mile swim was in Lake Monticello, the "coolest" part of the swim course was that from the start line one could not see where the turn buoy was indicating the last leg back to the beach. It was around the bend from a promontory and out of view. Never done that before. This start was a beach start, and I didn't care how I entered the water. My priorities were not to get injured and not to get tired. A couple of annoying people swam near me at the start and their flailing arms hit my legs. No adverse effect, but it was annoying. Lake Monticello was significantly warmer than Smith Mountain Lake. Towards the end of the swim I could tell that the buoyancy of the wetsuit was helping to keep me afloat. As long as I kept my arms moving I would keep skimming along the surface. Achieving a sub 30 minute time in the .9 mile is kind of a big deal. Though I only got 29 minutes and 58 seconds, I am still proud of myself.
No issues in T1. Another smooth exit from the wetsuit and easy transition to the bike. I did not drag my foot across my gear and scatter it all over the place.
The bike had some big hills. BUT, there were plenty of big hills to go DOWN and I fully took advantage of the aero bars and I burned calories going downhill and tried to conserve energy going uphill. Somehow, in the 35-39 age group, I was 5 out of 27 after the run.
T2 was also very quick, under one minute.
I still suck at running. I only stopped running to drink water from the aid stations, and still posted a 1 hour 2 minute time for the 10K. That dropped me back to 17 out of 27 in the 35-39 age group.
Overall I was 113 out of 225 males.
Swim | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Arrival Time | Total Time | Split | Place | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split Time | Course Time | Pace | Distance | Division | Overall | Gender | Wave | |||||||
| Swim Finish | 5/5/2013 9:40:53 AM | 00:29:58.540 | 29:59 | 29:59 | 02:04 /100m | 1.45 km | 10 / 27 | 95 / 351 | 74 / 225 | 36 / 101 | ||||
Bike | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Arrival Time | Total Time | Split | Place | ||||||||||
| Split Time | Course Time | Pace | Distance | Division | Overall | Gender | Wave | |||||||
| Bike Start | 5/5/2013 9:42:34 AM | 00:31:39.766 | 00:00 | 00:00 | 0.00 mph | 0.00 mi | 6 / 27 | 69 / 351 | 55 / 225 | 30 / 101 | ||||
| Bike Split | 5/5/2013 10:19:14 AM | 01:08:19.503 | 36:40 | 36:40 | 18.57 mph | 11.35 mi | 5 / 27 | 72 / 351 | 63 / 225 | 29 / 101 | ||||
| Bike Finish | 5/5/2013 10:57:39 AM | 01:46:44.950 | 38:25 | 1:15:05 | 19.02 mph | 12.18 mi | 5 / 27 | 79 / 351 | 67 / 225 | 29 / 101 | ||||
Run | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Arrival Time | Total Time | Split | Place | ||||||||||
| Split Time | Course Time | Pace | Distance | Division | Overall | Gender | Wave | |||||||
| Run Start | 5/5/2013 10:56:59 AM | 01:46:04.256 | 00:00 | 00:00 | 00:00 /mi | 0.00 mi | 5 / 27 | 68 / 351 | 60 / 225 | 24 / 101 | ||||
| Run Finish | 5/5/2013 11:59:52 AM | 02:48:57.783 | 1:02:54 | 1:02:54 | 10:09 /mi | 6.20 mi | 17 / 27 | 136 / 351 | 113 / 225 | 55 / 101 | ||||
Transition(s)
| Transition | Time |
|---|---|
| Swim to Bike | 01:41 |
| Bike to Run | 00:41 |
Appalachian Power Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon
On 4 May 2013 I participated in a Sprint Distance triathlon at Smith Mountain Lake. The temperature in April and May has been very cool lately, and even cooler in the mountains. The water was so cold for this event that the swim distance was shortened to 400m from 750m. This triathlon was also the first I competed in with a wetsuit.
The swim was an in-water start, I think I prefer those to the running beach starts because there are less flailing elbows. I know from previous experience that I can tire myself out at the beginning by sprinting a little too hard. I consciously swam at a consistent pace for the brief 400m swim, enough so that when I finished the swim and entered T1 I was not out of breath. The transition will mostly smoothly, I did drag my bicycle shoe across the towel holding all my gear and that created a little catastrophy but nothing significant. By applying the stick of lube to my feet prior to the race I was able to remove the wetsuit quickly. Removing the wetsuit did not prove to be an impediment at all.
The bicycle portion was 20K, there were more hills on it than I practice on in Hampton Roads. I had installed my aero bars and bounced between using them and the "drop-down" bars. I remember nothing remarkable from the bike ride.
T2 I thought went pretty quick, again no issues.
I stink at running.
I ended up 90th out of 196 men. In the 35-39 age group (Clydesdales are now >220 pounds so I have to compete with skinny little twits) I was 14 out of 15.
The swim was an in-water start, I think I prefer those to the running beach starts because there are less flailing elbows. I know from previous experience that I can tire myself out at the beginning by sprinting a little too hard. I consciously swam at a consistent pace for the brief 400m swim, enough so that when I finished the swim and entered T1 I was not out of breath. The transition will mostly smoothly, I did drag my bicycle shoe across the towel holding all my gear and that created a little catastrophy but nothing significant. By applying the stick of lube to my feet prior to the race I was able to remove the wetsuit quickly. Removing the wetsuit did not prove to be an impediment at all.
The bicycle portion was 20K, there were more hills on it than I practice on in Hampton Roads. I had installed my aero bars and bounced between using them and the "drop-down" bars. I remember nothing remarkable from the bike ride.
T2 I thought went pretty quick, again no issues.
I stink at running.
I ended up 90th out of 196 men. In the 35-39 age group (Clydesdales are now >220 pounds so I have to compete with skinny little twits) I was 14 out of 15.
| Place | Bib | Age | Sex | NAME | city/state | Rank | SWIM | Rank | T1 | Bike | T2 | Rank | RUN | PENALTY | TIME | DQ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 220 | 39 | M | Edwin Garita | Henrico VA | 1 | 6:56 | 3 | 1:42 | 2 | 35:22 | 3 | 1:03 | 1 | 19:51 | 1:04:52 | |||
| 2. | 16 | 35 | M | John King | Christiansburg VA | 8 | 8:18 | 10 | 2:46 | 3 | 36:04 | 1 | 0:53 | 2 | 20:11 | 1:08:10 | |||
| 3. | 54 | 37 | M | Steve Burtis | Roanoke VA | 6 | 8:06 | 12 | 3:00 | 4 | 36:29 | 6 | 1:06 | 3 | 20:50 | 1:09:29 | |||
| 4. | 76 | 38 | M | Andres Marte-Grau | Roanoke VA | 11 | 8:39 | 1 | 1:21 | 5 | 36:45 | 2 | 0:59 | 5 | 22:05 | 1:09:47 | |||
| 5. | 262 | 37 | M | David Sellars | Hardy VA | 13 | 10:18 | 4 | 2:13 | 1 | 35:20 | 11 | 1:36 | 4 | 21:57 | 1:11:22 | |||
| 6. | 261 | 39 | M | James Dillon | Chesterfield VA | 9 | 8:20 | 9 | 2:43 | 6 | 37:05 | 4 | 1:03 | 7 | 22:34 | 1:11:44 | |||
| 7. | 100 | 38 | M | Jay Bass | Blacksburg VA | 3 | 7:47 | 2 | 1:34 | 8 | 39:33 | 5 | 1:04 | 6 | 22:27 | 1:12:22 | |||
| 8. | 146 | 39 | M | Richard Diz | Eldersburg MD | 2 | 7:20 | 6 | 2:41 | 9 | 40:20 | 7 | 1:11 | 12 | 25:01 | 1:16:31 | |||
| 9. | 279 | 36 | M | Justin Hendrix | Fairlawn VA | 12 | 9:11 | 8 | 2:42 | 7 | 39:07 | 10 | 1:30 | 10 | 24:23 | 1:16:51 | |||
| 10. | 138 | 37 | M | Jeff Woodford | Vinton VA | 14 | 10:26 | 11 | 2:51 | 12 | 42:19 | 9 | 1:23 | 9 | 23:10 | 1:20:08 | |||
| 11. | 156 | 37 | M | Benjamin Eib | Fairfax VA | 7 | 8:16 | 14 | 4:55 | 13 | 42:20 | 14 | 2:03 | 8 | 22:39 | 1:20:10 | |||
| 12. | 163 | 39 | M | Erik Anderson | Columbia MD | 4 | 7:59 | 13 | 3:54 | 11 | 41:40 | 12 | 1:39 | 13 | 25:15 | 1:20:25 | |||
| 13. | 200 | 37 | M | Todd Melby | Durham NC | 10 | 8:34 | 7 | 2:42 | 14 | 43:05 | 13 | 1:47 | 11 | 24:30 | 1:20:36 | |||
| 14. | 211 | 35 | M | Jacob Braun | Norfolk VA | 5 | 8:00 | 5 | 2:31 | 10 | 40:27 | 8 | 1:13 | 15 | 28:53 | 1:21:02 | |||
| 15. | 127 | 35 | M | Andrew Mokey | Silver Spring MD | 15 | 10:39 | 15 | 5:07 | 15 | 44:12 | 15 | 2:18 | 14 | 27:15 | 1:29:30 |
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