Comments on: Knowing your limits, racing safe… http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/knowing-your-limits-racing-safe/ an inside look at all things multisport in the United States Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:47:29 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Cindy DeMarco http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/knowing-your-limits-racing-safe/#comment-104 Cindy DeMarco Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:07:15 +0000 http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-104 Today I warmed up in the water, then stood around to wait for my wave to start. This didn't help as I was cold going in and there was a lot of fog, making it almost impossible to see the buoys. I became disoriented and so cold that I asked for help getting to shore halfway through a 1.5k swim. I was plenty trained for this distance as I swim over a mile 4 times a week. I wasn't the only one and I watched other swimmers clearly cut the course at the appropriate sprint point to continue on in the race? This is not the first time I've seen people cheat on the swim and I wanted to ask how the governing body addresses this as there are not mats to monitor in and out on the swim. Not everyone has the same moral compass (as I am learning in this sport). I stabalized my situation, and and refused a ride to the hospital because the onsite medical ambulance didn't have a thermometer and I was feeling better. Race directors didn't bother asking how I was, but were more concerned about my medical insurance, tracking my husband down and hounding him as he was retrieving dry clothes for other athletes who met with the same hypothermic fate as me. We refused to give any of that info. I'm a longtime volunteer as well as an athlete and never encountered this. Perhaps everyone is paranoid after Barbara Warren's death at SB race?? I removed my chip and continued on with the bike portion of the race, announcing to race officials on the outbike that I knew my race was over. I spent a lot of money and travel to not call it a day and knew I was last on the course, so I had a family member ride ahead to ensure my safety as I knew well that course support would be well over. So, in summary....I addressed my limitations, but have observed and heard about so much blatant cheating, I had to ask. Sorry if this was addressed in previous posts, but I'm used ot only running races where this isn't so easy to do. thank you. Today I warmed up in the water, then stood around to wait for my wave to start. This didn’t help as I was cold going in and there was a lot of fog, making it almost impossible to see the buoys. I became disoriented and so cold that I asked for help getting to shore halfway through a 1.5k swim. I was plenty trained for this distance as I swim over a mile 4 times a week. I wasn’t the only one and I watched other swimmers clearly cut the course at the appropriate sprint point to continue on in the race? This is not the first time I’ve seen people cheat on the swim and I wanted to ask how the governing body addresses this as there are not mats to monitor in and out on the swim. Not everyone has the same moral compass (as I am learning in this sport).

I stabalized my situation, and and refused a ride to the hospital because the onsite medical ambulance didn’t have a thermometer and I was feeling better. Race directors didn’t bother asking how I was, but were more concerned about my medical insurance, tracking my husband down and hounding him as he was retrieving dry clothes for other athletes who met with the same hypothermic fate as me. We refused to give any of that info. I’m a longtime volunteer as well as an athlete and never encountered this. Perhaps everyone is paranoid after Barbara Warren’s death at SB race??

I removed my chip and continued on with the bike portion of the race, announcing to race officials on the outbike that I knew my race was over. I spent a lot of money and travel to not call it a day and knew I was last on the course, so I had a family member ride ahead to ensure my safety as I knew well that course support would be well over.

So, in summary….I addressed my limitations, but have observed and heard about so much blatant cheating, I had to ask. Sorry if this was addressed in previous posts, but I’m used ot only running races where this isn’t so easy to do.

thank you.

]]> By: Ian Clark http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/knowing-your-limits-racing-safe/#comment-99 Ian Clark Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:25:38 +0000 http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-99 I did my first 1 sprint tri 3 wks ago(55 y.o) had a blast. have been advance dive certified, life guard, in years past, etc. My thoughts for u are: know yourself(be honest) can you do it, have u put enough training into it, I was not gungho into training, did maybe a little running, swimming and cycling, nothing extraordinary. I finished a "rolling" course in both the bike and run in 1hr 40min. which suited me. It set me up for next year, and also motivated me to other sports, looking at cyclocross and "maybe" a marathon next year. Good luck. I did my first 1 sprint tri 3 wks ago(55 y.o) had a blast. have been advance dive certified, life guard, in years past, etc.
My thoughts for u are: know yourself(be honest) can you do it, have u put enough training into it, I was not gungho into training, did maybe a little running, swimming and cycling, nothing extraordinary.
I finished a “rolling” course in both the bike and run in 1hr 40min. which suited me.
It set me up for next year, and also motivated me to other sports, looking at cyclocross and “maybe” a marathon next year.
Good luck.

]]> By: Megan Warren http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/knowing-your-limits-racing-safe/#comment-96 Megan Warren Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:37:40 +0000 http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-96 I agree with Kelly P. (above posting). If you are going to race in colder water, you must warm up. Colder water events will in most cases have a wet suit requirement if the temperature is 58 degrees or below. Warm up, get your face wet and stay calm when the horn goes off. Go out easy and pick up the pace once you have found your rythm and can catch your breath. I agree with Kelly P. (above posting). If you are going to race in colder water, you must warm up. Colder water events will in most cases have a wet suit requirement if the temperature is 58 degrees or below. Warm up, get your face wet and stay calm when the horn goes off. Go out easy and pick up the pace once you have found your rythm and can catch your breath.

]]> By: Kelly Pearsall http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/knowing-your-limits-racing-safe/#comment-95 Kelly Pearsall Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:50:32 +0000 http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-95 As a scuba diver you have a big advantage in the swim, especially in bad conditions. Because you are accustomed to surface swims in heavy gear in current or choppy water, the swim is a piece of cake. The only time I have ever hyperventilated on a swim was when I dove in and discovered the water to be much colder than I expected. If it happens, just turn on your back and breathe easy. Resume swimming when you feel ready. You'll lose some time, but you won't have to drop out of the race. As a scuba diver you have a big advantage in the swim, especially in bad conditions. Because you are accustomed to surface swims in heavy gear in current or choppy water, the swim is a piece of cake. The only time I have ever hyperventilated on a swim was when I dove in and discovered the water to be much colder than I expected. If it happens, just turn on your back and breathe easy. Resume swimming when you feel ready. You’ll lose some time, but you won’t have to drop out of the race.

]]> By: Barbara Bailey http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/knowing-your-limits-racing-safe/#comment-90 Barbara Bailey Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:07:24 +0000 http://thetriathlonlife.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-90 I'm preparing to do my first sprint tri next month, and I really appreciate this input. Although I doubt I'll be too taxed in a 1/4 mile swim, I am nervous about it for reasons I don't fully understand. This will be my first competitive swim; however, being a certified divemaster and rescue diver, you could say I have a profound respect for the water and the dangers it poses. My biggest concern is hyperventilating during the swim and failing to pace myself appropriately. I'm not surprised to hear how that coronary/cardiac issues, probably combined with adrenaline and other biological processes, might result in death in rare instances, even in healthy athletes. In the future, look forward to reading about the indications something may be seriously wrong so that I can be sure to be training and competing SAFELY! I’m preparing to do my first sprint tri next month, and I really appreciate this input. Although I doubt I’ll be too taxed in a 1/4 mile swim, I am nervous about it for reasons I don’t fully understand. This will be my first competitive swim; however, being a certified divemaster and rescue diver, you could say I have a profound respect for the water and the dangers it poses. My biggest concern is hyperventilating during the swim and failing to pace myself appropriately. I’m not surprised to hear how that coronary/cardiac issues, probably combined with adrenaline and other biological processes, might result in death in rare instances, even in healthy athletes. In the future, look forward to reading about the indications something may be seriously wrong so that I can be sure to be training and competing SAFELY!

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