Lorain - Gold/Silver go to......

[jetlink]

For the Sprint triathlon:

Gold (1st place overall) - Mark Durno

Silver (2nd overall) - Mark Gorris

Heard this wss a close one from start to finish.....nice work guys and congrats to both of you.

[jen]

Yes-AWESOME job CTC members!!! They kept calling member names and I said, "CTC ROCKS!!!"

[Aussie Rob]

Nice works Marky Marks!

[suziharman]

and once again Durno does it with a little unplanned detour...and a filling pre-race dinner I am sure! Great job guys, and to all the CTCers out there today.

[jodi]

Way to go Durno!!!!! Not that any of us are surprised- you rock. And we are all DYING to know what you ate last night!

:-)

I saw a lot of hardware around the CTC gals necks after the sprint. Way to represent, ladies!

Jodi

[sarazim]

Fantastic job to all! Super fun to see everyone out there today! What Jodi failed to mention is her finish as the first overall female in the Olympic--wow!

Nicely done by all CTC today!

[Jack Carney]

Awesome job CTC number one and two. You guys are having a fabulous year. Way to go to you and all the other CTC homeys.

[MattCollister]

Jen Collister - 1st place AG!!!!!!!!

Woo-hooo!

[JenCollister]

Thanks Matt. As he pointed out yesterday, it was my first age group win with other people actually in the age group. 3 years ago I won first place for the Lorain Olympic triathlon. I was almost dead last, but there were no others to claim the prize. : )

[Jack Carney]

Nice job Jodi and Jen, you two both are constantly improving. Way to go.

[alison]

Anyone looking at the results can see that I had a very, very, VERY bad race yesterday.

First of all, I got way off course during the swim. None of the kayakers out there decided they needed to let me know this, so instead the big police boat came up next to me and honked its horn so someone could yell at me that I missed a buoy. It was at this time that I decided a U shaped swim course was not the best idea. Lost about 5-10 minutes on that adventure, but no big deal, things happen.

I got caught by a train on the bike, but there was a nice volunteer there to keep track of the time we missed. Luckily the other guys waiting with me were also pretty laid back about the whole thing, so there was no yelling and screaming about how this was going to ruin their whole race (you know there are plenty of those types out there).

Unfortunately I could tell that I was too tired on the last bit of the bike and was mentally preparing myself for a slower than usual run, but was not at all prepared for the complete melt down that occurred. I got my running legs back pretty quickly and was doing a slow jog, trying to fall into a moderate pace to get me through the 10K run, but by mile 2 dehydration started rearing it's ugly head, and by mile 3 I was a complete mess. I almost didn't finish, but decided to shuffle the last 3 miles. I even considered sitting down in the shade of a road overpass, but was afraid I might not get back up.

Turns out I drank less than half of the fluids I had on my bike. After a poor swim I was so intent on making up ground that I did the typical Alison mistake, ignore hydration, and that came back to bite me big time. I hope everyone reading this learns from my mistake, because in seven years of racing it appears I still haven't learned!

Alison

[MarkD]

I've gotta clear a few things up:

- My pre-race dinner was mexican food and a few top shelf margaritas (the knock you on your arse kind). I recommend it over the wings and beer approach. For the record, I passed on the refried beans.

- I'm a complete idiot. As Suzi noted, I got off course, yet again. This time on the run - added about .2 miles total. The course was very well marked - I'm just a very stupid human.

- We were in full force on the volunteer front as well (Suzi, Angie, Paula, Ken... anyone else ??).

- Old guys rule! The top 2 in both the sprint and olympic men's race were age 39 or older.

Onto the race:

The swim had rolling water outside the breakwalls (I took a few gulps) - Reddy would be proud - no wetsuit ! On the bike, I kept looking back and there was one bike a few hundred yards back that just wouldn't go away - it turned out to be Mr. Gorris - after looking at the results, it was very clear since our bike splits were very close. The run in a sprint is always tough because its balls-to-the-wall - it really sucks when you add additional milage !

This is always a good one - I use this race to judge my individual fitness from year to year because the course doesn't change:

2005: 1:10
2006: 1:08
2007: 1:07
2008: 1:04

So, my short course fitness continues to improve - even though I continue to be a bit of a long-course panzy (but, I'm working on it).

My only concern this year was that a few critical intersections weren't manned and there was a gaping hole by the first turn - even on the right turns, they need to get volunteers down there to reduce the potential for incident.

Other thoughts:

- There were some exceptional performances out there:

Jen C. is getting really fast - you are become quite the short-courser. Very impressive.

Sara's performance was doubly impressive because she had some bike issues and didn't feel well during the race.

When Jen P. becomes a better swimmer, there will be a lot of OA wins in her future. All those Monday bricks are paying off.

Jodi looked really strong on the olympic course - sorry I couldn't hang around to see you finish.

Mark & Lisa - it was good to finally meet you two. Its good to finally put faces to names - great race Mark.

Steve P - How'd it go on your end, having never done this course before ??

[steve1835]

this awas my first time at this race and overall it was ok....had a lot of tummy issues on the run..I was belching for about two hours..ugh...and go figure no one had braggs vinegar at the aid stations. ther swim went well considering the lenght ( 30 min ) started to have belly issues on the bike but held in there, was fourth off ( 1 hr ), then was ok on the run until about a mile then I did the jog, walk burp for the next 5 miles.

thanx to everyone who offered words of encouragement out there voluteers and athletes.

hope to see you at portage lakes.

SP

[sarajean]

Aug 25, 2008 12:01:55 GMT -5 alison said:

Turns out I drank less than half of the fluids I had on my bike. After a poor swim I was so intent on making up ground that I did the typical Alison mistake, ignore hydration, and that came back to bite me big time. I hope everyone reading this learns from my mistake, because in seven years of racing it appears I still haven't learned!

That's my most common mistake, too, and I've even found multiple ways to make it:

• Cleveland Triathlon, 2001: Didn't drink anything before the race because I was afraid of needing to make a restroom stop. Splitting headache and nausea on bike leg.
  
• Cleveland Triathlon, 2006: Drank before the race, but neglected to double check that the Gatorade sports bottle's inner foil seal was open before putting the bottle on my bike. Splitting headache on run course.
  
• Cleveland Triathlon, 2007: Brought bottle of water on the bike, forgot to drink it. Splitting headache by the end of the bike leg, full-blown migraine at the finish line.
  

And, my report for the 2008 Lorain Sprint Tri:

My run training had been going extremely badly, so I backed down from the OLY to the sprint. Before the race, I was trying to decide whether to wear my wetsuit or not, and a few CTC members' comments convinced me to go wetsuit-free. (No, I did not encounter anyone who said that wetsuits were legalized cheating. There were just comments like, "Well, if you REALLY think you need it...")

After the USMS 1-Mile swim, I found the sprint swim course delightfully well-marked. The water was chillier than I expected.

Since I consider the bike my second-best sport, I kept waiting for the other Athenas to pass me. When there was about a mile to go, I figured that the people for whom I was looking were probably well ahead of me, so I was going to focus on relaxing, having some fun, and saving a bit of energy so I could finish the run. I started spinning along in a comfortable gear and humming "Chariots of Fire." Then, my husband caught me with his camera.

I "Gallowalked" the run, with a 4.5-minute "run" followed by a 1-minute walk. Given the problems I'd been having with my knees, I was satisfied with my run time of 38:21.

After the race, I chugged every bit of Gatorade and water remaining in my sports bottles. I bring both because when I have a headache, sugars make it worse. I got out my migraine medication and prepared to take it at the first sign of a migraine, but the migraine never came. This is the first tri I've done where I haven't had a migraine afterward. I was extremely excited about this. ;D

Much to my surprise, I ended up finishing first in the Athena division.

[Kim Zepp]

Sarajean, Congrats on your finish place! Hope your knees feel better. Glad you avoided the migraine. Isn't it nice to finish and feel good. :-) I finally had a race day without being sick to my stomach (GCT.) I'm still trying to figure out what I did different.
Anyhow, congrats again!

[debbie]

Sara jean, congrats on your finish. I wish I could of raced as well and gave you something to chase. In my begginings I had problems with hydration. Today in long races I use a camel bak or areobottle. I don't think you are set up with areobars are you? With having something in your face its a reminder to drink. The first year I got the areobars just hold my arobottle! and that was well worth it. Even today if I had to depend on a water bottle in my cage I would be hydration defictant.

So perhaps even for the short perhaps a camel bak might make a big difference if you can't use an areobottle.

debbie

[alison]

I have been debating an aero bottle for a while, but whenever I see a bunch of those spongy things on the road during the race I think it is just a bad idea. But then again, having a complete meltdown due to dehydration wasn't a good idea either, was it? I think this last race, however, may chave onvinced me to get one. Bike Authority is have a big sale coming up, hmmm . . .

Alison

[JenCollister]

I have a bottle sponge attachment (replacement sponge) that I use that doesn't mind the bumps at all. I got it from Target in the cleaning section. It was totally Matt's idea - a great one at that!

[sarajean]

Aug 27, 2008 12:02:16 GMT -5 debbie said:

Sara jean, congrats on your finish. I wish I could of raced as well and gave you something to chase. In my begginings I had problems with hydration. Today in long races I use a camel bak or areobottle. I don't think you are set up with areobars are you?

Thanks for the congratulations!

Actually, I thought I was chasing Janis K, since she'd registered for the race and I saw her use some serious cycling power at the Cleveland Triathlon last year. After I viewed the results, I found out she didn't race that day.

Hydration: I received a camelbak for my birthday last month. I just need to figure out how to use it...

[Aussie Rob]

Hey, congrats to everyone else who did well ni this race. Nice one Jen and Jodi.

[debbie]

<<<Hydration: I received a camelbak for my birthday last month. I just need to figure out how to use it... >>>>

email and we'll chat, its not rockit science!! i think you will benefit from it, i'm rarely with out it

regarding the areobottle and sponges, i've never lost one. shove it in the bottle, yes you do get nice and sticky but that sure beats dehyradration. they have the new ones with the rubber top, but they too splash.

debbie

[mgorris]

Great race to all who participated. I could not pick most of you out from a line up, but I do know of you from your posts.

Keep up the great work, some very good performances out there

Alison- you took the right approach to the train stop, look at it as a bonus as you get a few minutes to catch your breath, let the hr settle down and then hammer again

Jbird- very well done on your first Oly adventure

Jodi- your making huge strides, well done

Jen C - ditto on Mark D's comments. Saw you on my return from the run turnaround. You were one of the first females I saw [dressed in all black, can we call you Batwoman?"]

to everyone else who raced - think of what you accomplished before the majority of the folks in NE Ohio were still in bed???.....awesome job

to the CTC volunteers - thank you, thank you, as YOU were the one's who made this race possible

and last but not least, Mark D:

Awesome race. I tried reeling you in after the swim but you were just too darn fast. Once we got out on the run I resigned myself to the fact that I was not gonna catch you. I guess you must have stolen my 5th running gear while in T2...ha ha. Hey, all kidding aside, you ran a very good race and both Lisa and I enjoyed meeting you post race! Super cool you were out there cheering in every last finisher.

Great race and a great time. We celebrated my father-in-law's 84th birthday the night before in Westlake and the race made for a nice finish to a very enjoyable weekend. Oh yeah, I abstained from the wings!

[debbie]

<<<<Jen C - ditto on Mark D's comments. Saw you on my return from the run turnaround. You were one of the first females I saw [dressed in all black, can we call you Batwoman?"] >>>>

OMGosh Jen are you still wearing that bat girl costume!! that was so long ago wasnt it.
debbie

[JenCollister]

Aug 29, 2008 11:35:11 GMT -5 debbie said:

<<<<Jen C - ditto on Mark D's comments. Saw you on my return from the run turnaround. You were one of the first females I saw [dressed in all black, can we call you Batwoman?"] >>>>

OMGosh Jen are you still wearing that bat girl costume!! that was so long ago wasnt it.
debbie

Yah, I don't think Mark knew about that. Lets keep that one to just us ladies. Although, my husband keeps asking me to reconsider my decision to retire the costume.

[MattCollister]

[size=8[glow=red,2,300]Ka POW![/glow][/size]

[MattCollister]

I should explain. Jen wore the Batman in a halloween duathlon a couple years ago. She raced in it!

[debbie]

That race was the start of it all for me .... and the only time I was just a min or two behind Jen. Those bat wings are just no match for me.

debbie

[MarkD]

So, uhhh, Matt... Does that make you the riddler ??

md

[MattCollister]

No, I'm more like Alfred. I take care of things back at Wayne Manor while Batgirl is out kicking ass.