Race Result

Racer:	Jose Torres
Race:	NYC Central Park Triathlon
Date:	Sunday, July 31, 2011
Location:	New York, NY
Race Type:	Triathlon - Sprint
Age Group:	Male 35 - 39
Time:	1:17:00
Overall Place:	46 / 196
Age Group Place:	4 / 13
Comment:	My best race so far

Race Report:

I did the Central Park Triathlon this weekend in NYC. 440 yard swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run.

46/196 Overall
4/13 Age Group

Swim 8:17 (1:52 per 100 yards)
T1 0:50
Bike 36:18 (20.9 mph)
T2 0:51
Run 31:10 (10:01 pace)

Total 1:17

My best tri yet!!!

Swim – Finally the swim is no longer an issue for me. I can now do the ¼ mile swim with no anxiety. This pool was 73 yards long and we had to do 3 laps. This went smooth and I came out of the water ready to ride.

Bike – who knew Central Park was so hilly. The main hill is right outside of T1 (Harlem Hill). We had to do 2 laps around the park, my computer said 12.72 miles (not 12). This lady and I finished the swim around the same time and I was riding along with her she had a P4 with disc wheels and she was hammering on the bike. We were in a group of 5 at first, but by 6 miles we were 3 and by 9 miles we were just 2. I would pass her going up the hills and she would pass me on the descents. I guess I’m a chicken and had to tap the breaks. We finished within 5 seconds of each other, but she killed me on the run. She was 2nd female overall. This was my first time using the aero bars in a race and it was wonderful. I must have coasted a total of 2 miles throughout the race and you can really recover well resting on those bars and be aerodynamic at the same time. I did not go faster than normal, but my legs felt a lot better for the run being in a TT position. Top speed was only 26 mph.

Run – the run included running up Harlem Hill, a couple of rollers thereafter and back. When I got off the bike my legs felt good, but from a cardio standpoint I was exhausted. I took it easy up Harlem Hill and through to the turn around. All my progress on the bike was slipping away. At the turn around I poured 2 cups of water on my head (that felt great) and began to pick up the pace. I know my time does not look good, but most time were higher because of the topography. After the turn around I did not let anyone else pass me. I could hear the footsteps, but I was determined. When I finished for the first time in a triathlon I was exhausted. I took my sneakers off and jumped in the pool. The water temp was about 74 degrees and it felt great.

Overall this is my best triathlon yet, I had a great crowd of family cheering me on and I really held a strong pace throughout. I started in the first wave which also made me feel good. (versus hearing the winner before you even start) If I would have ran a little faster I could have won my first AG award, but the truth is I did the very best I could. When I finished I was totally exhausted. This is good, because normally I always think to conserve energy throughout a race and end up finishing the race not tired.

This was my 7th triathlon of 2011 or of my life. I do not have any more scheduled. But I hope to do at least 1 more in 2011.

Thank you Claudia Cortes for being a great coach and Troy Sivak for being a great training partners on so many long weekend ride. I look forward to many more.