HARRYMAN TRIATHLON - MAY 21, 2011

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A handful of TT'ers showed up for an early season test of fitness at Harriman State Park to compete in the HarryMan 1/2 and Olympic Triathlons on Saturday May 21st. Steve Zambito and Lyn McCabe were there doing the 1/2, and Hugh Davis, Katha Diddel-Warren and yours truly were signed up for the far more civilized Olympic distance. Apologies if I missed anyone, but that is all I saw out on course.

After the fog burned off, we were rewarded with an absolutely gorgeous morning with perfect air temperatures and bright blue skies.
Things got underway smoothly, with a rather chilly swim in 60 degree Lake Welch.

Unfortunately, Tiorati Brook Road was still closed (as it had been for the Bear Mountain road race the weekend prior). After finishing the cold swim, and a short visit to T1, racers were headed directly downhill at 50mph while still dripping wet. This course always calls for some serious braking, with a full U-turn prior to the end of the descent, but instead of making a right on Tiorati Brook Road, we instead about faced and went up the same road we just descended. Overall the bike course was either up or down, with very few flat sections. The few semi-flat/rolling sections kept you on your toes with some large expansion joints that demanded attention. The up and down nature of this course made it difficult to strike into any real rhythm or pace. I for one was happy to get off the bike, especially after seeing the dismal average speed I was maintaining. (Especially after calculating that I would be racing about 30minutes longer than I had intended.)

The run course was also hilly and for me caused major leg cramping. Big rookie mistake, thinking that I would not need salt tabs, just because the morning started cool and crisp. By the end of the race temperatures were in the 80's, and I was overheating badly. My pacing (and I am sure for others too) went out the window, as it became a battle with time loss management, than actually going race pace.

Since most of us viewed this as a good opportunity to gauge fitness, or as preparation for future races, let's just call it some very solid "training with a number on."
Heck, we even have some results to show for it.

1/2 Distance Result Highlights
Steve Zambito (1st in AG/44th overall)

Olympic Distance Result Highlights
Jonathan Baxendale (3rd in AG/7th Overall)
Hugh Davis (15th in AG/62 Overall)
Katha Diddel-Warren (1st in AG/10th Overall)

Nicely done everyone!

Results Online

http://www.compuscore.com/cs2011/may/harryhlf.htm

http://www.compuscore.com/cs2011/may/harryoly.htm
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Thanks,

Bax

Zipp Night - Westport, Tuesday, May 24th

Zipp night will cover aero drag and efficiency, new design, and strength of the Firecrest wheels.

Sign up early to reserve a limited number of Demo 404 and 808 carbon clinchers.

Zipp Night will follow the 5:45 PM rides.

For more info, please contact Matt@trincycle.com

Housatonic Hills Course Preview - Sunday Destination Ride 6/12/11

Preview the Housatonic Hills course on Sunday, June 12th in preparation for the June 19th bike race or just take part in a challenging Sunday ride. Either way, this 54 mile course should live up to its name and offer plenty of hills!

Ride is free for members and $30 for non-members - may be used towards $100 minimum purchase for TARGETRAINING classes or Tri & Cycle store merchandise (offer valid for 1 week).

REGISTER FOR THE RIDE:

Members click here

Non-members click here

Meet at TT Greenwich or Westport at 7 AM to carpool to start location in Southbury. Ride will start at 9 AM from race course start location in Southbury, CT.

REV 3 Destination Ride Report Sunday 5/15/11

Wow, well triathletes are a heartier group than most think. With the weather forecast predicting on and off rain for the entire day, more than 50 people showed up for the pre-ride. Some from as far away as Pennsylvania, in fact nobody in my group was from Connecticut. The rain started oh... about 90 seconds after we rolled out of the park and lasted until mile 30, non-stop, downpour, water over the road, car accidents, cats and dogs.

The lead group led my Max had a great ride coming in at around 12:15PM. The middle group led by Clare had a good ride too, finishing at around 1 ish. My group came in at around 2PM, but I went back to get some stragglers, who ended up taking a shortcut and beat me back. I got back at 3PM.

Everyone finished the ride upright and in one piece. Ed Torres tore his tire and could not finish, but drove the course. We had a few flats on my ride and one fellow broke some spokes but could finish. Two people from Clares group got really cold and hung out in the quickie mart to warm-up.

The olympic ride was a wash. After missing a turn and taking some time to get back on course, they decided it would be better and warmer to drive the course. They regrouped at Quassy and carpooled around the course. I think most people were much happier to drive than ride.

Clare and I lost use of our phones due to water damage. The que sheets and maps became unreadable due to the downpour. Garmin 800 saved the day for group 1 and 2.

It was a tough day but after this preview the conditions can only get better on race day.

Sunday Endurance Run Update!

Please note that due to Compo Beach being officially open for the summer season, we will shift the meeting of our Sunday endurance run to TARGETRAINING effective this weekend 5/15. In the event that there is poor weather we will conduct the run session indoors.