#usmasterswimming – Lou's Tri World

My 2024 USA Triathlon Sprint National Championship Journey

admin — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:35:36 +0000

I began doing triathlons in 2020, but it was not until 2021 when I became aware of the USA Triathlon Sprint National Championships. It was at that time that I made it my goal to qualify and compete in this event.

Every year thousands of the nation’s fastest amateurs are projected to compete at USA Triathlon Sprint & Olympic Distance National Championships, USA Triathlon’s largest and longest-running National Championship event. Athletes from across the country race for national titles in their respective age groups, and for the opportunity to represent age group Team USA at the World Triathlon Age Group World Championships.

The qualification standard states that athletes qualify by placing in the top two or top 15% of their age group at a USA Triathlon sanctioned race. Athletes can also earn qualification by racing at a USA Triathlon State Championship, which offers greater odds to qualify (top 5 or top 35% in an athlete’s age group).

This qualification proved challenging in Minnesota due to a limited number of USA Triathlon sanctioned races within the state. In 2023, I decided to compete in the South Dakota State Championships – Wildlife Loop Sprint Triathlon at Custer Park. This race afforded me the best opportunity to qualify for the Sprint National Championships.

This decision proved more difficult than I expected. The race was on a Saturday, and we flew to Rapid City, South Dakota on a Thursday. I checked in my bike packed in a Scicon bag. I have flown my bike packed in the bag at least eight times without any issues.

We arrived at Rapid City, but my bike did not. I was told that it would arrive the next day, the day before my race. The next day we drove the 50 miles back to the airport. My bike had arrived, but my bag was ripped at the seam and my aero bars were twisted so severely my shifting cables were damaged.

Luckily, we were able to find a capable local bike shop which repaired the bike quickly. Fortunately, we were later reimbursed by the airline for the damage to the bag but not the bike. However, this was sufficient to pay for both my bag and bike repairs.

The next day, I was able to complete the triathlon despite unseasonably cold water, high altitude, and the extremely hilly bike, and run courses. I placed 1^stin the 60-64 Age Group (AG). Although not one of my best performances, I qualified for the USA Triathlon National Championships.

USA Triathlon announced in October that the 2024 National Championships would be held in Atlantic City, NJ on 13-15 September. Shortly thereafter, I registered for the Sprint Championship 750 meters swim, 12.4-mile bike, and a 3.1-mile run) on September 15 as well as the Open Water Competition (750-meters) held on September 13. We made our associated travel and lodging arrangements. I then formulated my 2024 training and race plans, making the Sprint Championship my sole A race.

On Wed, 10 Sep my wife and I flew to Philadelphia with my TT Bike packed in its Scicon bag. Once arrived we retrieved our luggage and my bike. My bike was delivered on the luggage conveyor belt with two other bikes. I quickly checked it for damage, and then we drove a little over an hour in a rental car to our Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Of note: unknown to us prior to check in, our hotel had a strict no bikes in the hotel policy. With no other choice, I decided to store my bike in our rental car. Although not optimal, I was fairly comfortable with this considering our vehicle was in a secure parking garage. The next day, I took my bike out for a test run on the board walk during which I noted a few maintenance issues that required attention prior to the race.

Later that day we drove to Bader Field where the championships were based. There was an on-site bike maintenance support facility available to participants provided by Playtri. I was the first to get my bike checked in for service. It was completed and ready for pick up in just a little over an hour. We spent the next few hours checking out the booths at the EXPO.

The next day on Friday, we returned to Bader Field for the 750m open water swim competition, presented by Synergy Wetsuits. This allowed me to race as a tune up for my triathlon swim on Sunday. The race was wetsuit legal and began with a time trial start with 3 swimmers at a time with men first followed by then women. I found it difficult to view the entire course prior to the start due to the course layout. Sighting during the swim also proved challenging. I placed 166 out of 236 participants. After dinner that evening, we walked down to see the finish line for both the Olympic and Sprint distance Championships near the Tropicana Hotel, not too far from our hotel.

On Saturday I did a short run and bike work out. Afterwards, we walked back down to the race finish area to view the of the completion of the Olympic Distance Championship. While there we were able to watch former Hastings’ resident David Saunders finish second in his age group. Later that afternoon Sprint participants were required to check their bikes into the transition area at Bader Field. I positioned my bike on one of the racks within the transition area designated for my age group and reinflated my bike tires. Nothing else was allowed to be left behind until the next day. I then did a quick walk through the entry and exit points i.e., swim in, bike out, bike in, and run out. I also picked a few landmarks within the transition area to help me more easily identify my specific area during the race. There was also a swim familiarization that afternoon for Sprint participants. I opted out since I already swam the entire course during the open water competition on Friday.

The next day, Sunday, we arrived at Bader Field early. The transition area opened at 4 am. I laid out my race gear in the transition area and then departed. The transition area was closed at 6:20 am. There were 25 age group waves for the Sprint Triathlon with the first starting at 6:30 am and the last at 9:10 am. I was in Wave 13 (Pearly Gold) scheduled to start at 7:53 am. I waited in the call forward swim area until the start of my wave.
Prior to my wave’s start time we entered the water for an in the water start. The swim was in an ocean inlet and an out and back course with a bit of current going out then fast coming back. Considering the was my first major mass swim start; I had an above average swim.

The bike was mostly on the New Jersey Expressway. Wide lanes and smooth surface with a few hills located mostly on the on and off ramps. My bike proved to be slower than average. This was partially due to high winds. Additionally, I came up on the wrong side of the bike rack in the transition area and had to crawl under the rack to get to my running gear. The run was mostly on the Board Walk finishing near the Tropicana Hotel. Overall, I placed 62 out of 91 in the 60-64 AG. This was my 2024 A race.

Shortly after the completion of my race, my wife and I caught the event bus back to Bader Field to collect my bike, race gear and return to our vehicle. The racecourse was closed at 11:45 pm and all Sprint participants were required to remove are bikes and gear from the transition area on Bader Field by 12:20 pm.

Although I did not place high, I had a good race and a positive experience during my first USA Triathlon Sprint National Championship.

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Triathlon Training on an Ocean Cruise – Challenging, but not impossible!

Lou Plevell — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 23:05:46 +0000

My wife and I recently went on a 32 day South American Cruise. For shorter cruises, i.e. a 5-7 days you have a little more flexibility. For example, you can just take time off from training or do limited work outs as desired.

During our cruise it was my intent to continue my triathlon training throughout the voyage. This is what I learned about triathlon training on a cruise ship. Despite crowded and irregular facilities, unfamiliar equipment, and rough seas, you can successfully conduct triathlon training on a cruise ship. Granted it may not result in your best effort, but you can complete the training you need.

To start – Running. This is probably the easiest of the three disciplines to train for on a cruise. There are basically three options available on most cruises:

Treadmills: most cruise ships are equipped with a ample quantity of treadmills. That said, they may not all be operational at one time and during peak times you may find most if not all are in use. It is best to get to the gym early or you will have to exercise your patience!
Designated running/walking decks. Most large cruise ships have a deck or course designated for running/walking. Our ship even had signs stating how many laps equaled a mile. This can meet your running requirements. However, you may have to contend with several obstacles:
a. Instability while running on a moving ship. Particularly in rough seas.
b. Wet and slippery decks.
c. Walkers, casual strollers, and deck hands during certain times of the day.
d. Deck closures when the tenders are in use or during debarkations.
Running ashore while the ship is in port. Although doable there can be a lot of unknown concerns in doing so. Traffic and personal safety being among the biggest concerns. It is very much destination dependent.

I also noted that my Garmin Forerunner 935 did not function well on a moving ship. Apparently, it tracked the movement of the ship rather than me.

I have little doubt that whether running on the deck or on a treadmill, the best time to run on the ship was while it was in port and not moving.

Next – Swimming. Although there are usually several pools on most cruise ships, only one or two may be suitable for lap swimming. There were two pools on our cruise ship that were 11 meters (12 yards) long. Not ideal, but I made it work! If you are wearing your GPS watch, make sure you adjust the pool distance on your swim settings. Although, I did not do any open water swimming this could have been an option in ports like Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Tips for swimming on a ship:

Plan your swims when the pools are less crowded i.e., early morning, late evening, cloudy or cooler days. Note most ship’s pools are heated.
Although there are a few, most people using the pools are not serious swimmers apparently unfamiliar with the common courtesies related to swimming. It is likely you will have to exercise a high level of patience while swimming.
Cruise ship pools are no different than most public pools. They are highly chlorinated. Goggles are recommended.

Next, Bike training: There are not a whole lot of options for this. Unlike the tread mills there appears to be a limited number of stationary bikes. Most are recumbent bikes or spin style cycles. Some cruises ships may have spin classes. These may be offered for an additional fee. There may also be opportunities to rent standard bikes while in port.

This is the very basic training equipment/clothing I recommend taking with you on your cruise:

1-2 running shirts

1-2 pair of running shorts

2-3 pairs of running/biking socks

1 pair of running shoes

1 swimming suit for lap swimming

1 pair of goggles

Water bottle

Optional – 1 pair biking shorts

Optional – swim cap

As stated earlier, if it is your intent to continue your triathlon training while on an ocean cruise it can be done to an acceptable level with some planning, flexibility, and patience. So, train on, have fun and don’t forget to enjoy your cruise!

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