The DQ Vincentown Sprint

This past Saturday I raced a sprint tri, my first sprint in quite a while.  It was the DQ Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquabike at Vincentown.  I have to tell you right off the bat - it was fun!!!  The race was set in the cutest town ever, Vincentown, NJ.  Just driving into town made you feel good.  It was a charming Main Street and side streets were filled with nicely cared for homes.  

As the race name implies, they had something for everyone offering a sprint tri, duathlon and aqua bike as well as a team option.   Transition was set up in Mill Pond Park on Race Street-how appropriate!  The 400 yard swim took place in the Vincentown Mill Pond.  The water in this pond was very calm, but it was also very dark.  I believe someone said it is from the tannins that get washed in from cedars and is actually called Cedar Water.  It was so dark that you couldn't see you own hand in the water in front of you, let alone another swimmer or their feet.  It was like swimming with your eyes closed!  I started in the back of my wave and did quite a bit of sighting.  It wasn't a fast swim, but I felt good and had no "breath" issues like last race.

It was a short distance from the swim exit to transition and they had laid mesh fencing down to run on.  No problems in transition and out onto the bike course.    It was described as flat and fast and they weren't kidding!  I felt good and made sure I was taking in fluids since it was already in the 80's and sunny.  On my second  loop I saw an older man down on the ground next to his bike and the ambulance approaching.  I did ask about him later and they said he was ok and did not have to go to the hospital.  I never found out what happened, but was glad he wasn't injured.  The course took you past homes, farm fields and horse farms and was quite enjoyable.  This was my first race with my new HED wheels and they felt great!  Back to town and into T2.  No problems again and out onto the run course.  We ran a short stretch on Main Street and then onto some side roads and into a small development before rejoining the same road the bike course followed into town.  By now it was easily into the 90's and I was thankful for some shade on the course.  My heart rate started out around 155 and I made that my guide, trying not to go over that number.  It made for a slower run, but I felt good and didn't have to walk.  My nutrition and use of electrolyte capsules must have been ok for the conditions.  The finish was right next to the transition area in Mill Pond Park and there was a nice crowd there cheering us in.

The award ceremony was held in the local Fire Department's building.  They had all of the bay doors open and had plenty of chairs out making for a comfortable time.  I ended up third in my Age Group and will make this piece of "hardware" a Christmas ornament!!!  They also had some random drawings for things like RoadID and Rudy gift cards.  I was super lucky again and won a certificate for an Xterra Wetsuit.  Everyone is telling me I should play the lottery!!!!

It was so nice to done so early in the day.  I still love the longer courses, but I think I will start adding more Sprint and Olympic distance races to my schedule.  We had plenty of time to stop and get some delicious NJ blueberries, eat breakfast and be home in the early afternoon.

Swim 9:49

T1  1:37

Bike  49:19  (18.2 mph)

T2 1:12

Run  32:37  (10:32/mi)

1:34:32

Bike: PowerBar Ironman Perform, H2O, 1 gel, S Caps

Run:  H2O, S Caps