2016 Pass It Along Triathlon - Race Report

My first Tri in almost a year, the Pass It Along Triathlon is a Sprint-Distance race (750m swim, 17k bike, 5k run) which takes place in and around Lake Mohawk in Sparta, New Jersey.  I had only signed up the day before, thanks to an allowance by the race director (the formal registration had already ended).  The day before the race, I took my Cannondale Slice 5 on a short but brisk 5-mile shake-out ride, well aware that it had been almost exactly one year since the Orange County Triathlon, the last time I rode it.  The ride felt good, and even with a few traffic stops I was able to average about 17.5 MPH, only somewhat winded.   I proceeded to run a hard mile immediately afterward, finishing it in 5:49.  This lone workout the day before the race was the workout which even resembled triathlon training.  Despite my unpreparedness, I went into the race confident that I could improve on my 1:07:35 PR, which was set at the since-discontinued 2013 Born to Tri event in Asbury Park.

The temperature was perfect as we migrated to the boardwalk for the start of wave 1.  Not starting until wave 3, I paid close attention to how the 1st two waves started and if the lake was drawing the competitors off track.  The swim was triangular, with two large red buoys signifying the turns.  The race started off well and I established a good rhythm as I made my way to the front of our pack.  Not half-way to the first turn, I felt my goggles filling up with water on the left side.  I tried to continue but fearing my contact lens would come out I quickly moved my goggles to my forehead and swam the rest of the way without them.  I emerged out of the water in what I felt was good position and entered the transition zone (almost falling down the stairs on the way).

My transition was slower than I would have liked, but having not raced a tri in almost a year, I was lucky I wasn't even more rusty.  I had forgotten to pack my racing belt so I needed to wear a shirt for the bike and run and during this transition, it was difficult to put the shirt over my wet skin.  This was the only logistical snag and I trotted my bike onto the course.

The bike course started with a few big climbs and then settled down as we moved into the western section around the lake.  I was in a group of about 5 people which were all trading places through the 2nd half of the course as we traveled away from the lake and toward Rt. 181.  I am a novice biker at best, so I have trouble at high speeds and tucking in, among other things.  Even so, I was able to get down on my aerobars for a decent amount of the race and hit a maximum speed of 36.5 MPH.

I pulled into the 2nd transition feeling tired but overall pretty confident that I would be able to make up some time on the race.  I chugged a Gatorade during the transition and switched into my running shoes.  This transition was better than the first but I know I can cut time down here in the future.

My legs felt heavy and my stomach was sloshing from the Gatorade as I began the 5k run.  In hindsight, I should have taken a bit less fluid at the transition, and saved the chugging for after the race.  I couldn't figure out exactly how fast I was moving but it felt extremely slow.  I managed to pick off a few runners coming into the first mile, clocking off a 5:53.  I was a little disappointed but kept trying to run strong and get to the turnaround so that I could begin my final push.  After a few small rolling hills I veered around the midway point and began to pick up the pace.  My 2nd mile was 6:15, far too slow.  I surged and passed another group of three or four runners.  Before I knew it, the finish line was in sight.  My third mile clicked off as I began my sprint, 6:05.  I knew if I hurried I would dip under 19:00.  Sprinting Struggling, I crossed the finish line just seconds under the 19:00 threshold, the race was over.

All in all, I can't complain about the race.  Great course and great volunteers, and though triathlon isn't my sport, it was fun to get my feet wet, so-to-speak.  I finished 16th overall of 174 finishers, and was 3rd in my age group (not counting the winner, who was my age but graded in the overall category).  This was a great course and very well organized, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a great starter triathlon or tune-up for an Olympic or 70.3 race.

Splits:
Swim: 15:17 (43 overall)
T1: 1:29 (63 overall)
Bike: 34:22 (35 overall)
T2: 1:01 (82 overall)
Run: 18:53 (6 overall)

Total:  1:11:02 (16th overall, 3rd age group)