Tri the Lake Sprint triathlon RR - Kicking A$$ Big Time

Stats:

Time: 1:15:22 (I think, results not officially posted); 3rd woman overall, 1st AG 30-39.

Splits (unofficial, only total time was given, these are based on my own timing, so could be a bit off).

400m swim: 8:03 (2:00/100m)
12.94 m bike: 42:12, 18.58 MPH
3.15 m run: 20:10, 6:30 pace

T1 and T2: 2ish....did not time them.


Here we go:

Swim: I was bummed that we could not swim prerace. Not sure why, and some people got in the water anyway, but I was going to play it by the rules. The trouble with that was that I typically need to swim for 10 min before getting into a groove. So I was a bit pissed, but what can you do?

My goals for the swim were: 1) do not drawn, 2) do not go hypoxic, 3) swim 9 min, 4) overreaching here - swim 8 min.

I guess I met my goals?
The water was murky and the moment I put my head in, I felt I did not have enough air. My mantra was "It's OK, it's OK". I am used to swimming in clear water and the murkiness freaked me out a bit. So I switched from crawl to side stroke for a while, but eventually got into the groove. I never really panicked, but I am so glad the water is clear for my half in Vermont.
I was super happy with my time, got out of the water, ran toward my bike, took my wetsuit off (easily!), ate a gel, drank some water, and then realized I was dizzy and out of breath. So I took a few deep breath while I put my shoes, gloves and helmet on, and reminded myself that I'd settle on the bike. I was 5th woman out of water, I think???

Bike: 13 miles
The bike was 4 loops around the lake. I decided the hell with it, I will not look at cadence, and only look at pace, and try to go into a higher gear. My goal for the bike was 17MPH. The goal was so low because I knew that the loops would require lots of sharp turns including going over 3 speed bumps 4 times. But, as soon as I started pedaling, my speed went higher, so I said, the hell with it. I did slow down a lot when cornering, but I was OK with that. I did not want to get hurt. This was not my A race anyway. My HR was probably very high when I got on the bike, and kept telling myself that in a few minutes I'd feel better. I did.

The race was not closed to traffic, and I had the luck to have to stop for a few seconds (felt like a lot, but I bet it was not) because of a bus who stopped in front of 3 bikers, and a car who got stopped by the volunteers fairly close to the side of the bus. Four of us had to go in between the bus and the car. I have a big, men's bike, and I was sure I would not fit. I did, hew:)

I had a lot of fun on the bike. I got passed by a few men, and no women. This was good, but also bad, because I had no women to chase (that I knew off, more later). With about .1 to go, this woman gets in front of me and then slows down trying to undo her shoes. Hm, no, and I passed her back, ran to transition, and panicked a bit while putting my Nike Frees on and figuring out where everything was. The woman left the transition before me. Darn.

Run: 3.1
My goal for the run was a 7min/mile pace. I used Jesse's tri calculator and it told me I'd run 21:37. I wanted to beat that time. Also, I did not do any track work for this race. I am in base training for my Fall marathon, so little speed for me these days. I also wanted to run by feel. I planned to check the Garmin, but wanted to run without music, while listening to my breathing and my self talk. I think this is the way for me, for the future.

I passed the woman who left the bike transition very quickly. Legs felt heavy, but breathing was fine. It was warm, but not hot. I did not know the pace I was running. I was also convinced I was first woman. Since no other women were on my tail, I did not push the pace. I did pass lots of men on the course. At one point I was told I was second woman. Second woman, where is the first woman? I could not see her. I checked my watch, I was close to 2 miles averaging 6:40. I was pleased with the pace. Should I pick up the pace? Nah, she is way ahead, you can't catch her. You don't want to burn out. But, you should try? So I decided to pick up the pace in a controlled manner, that is, gradual. With .5 miles to go I saw here far in the distance. I pushed harder. I knew I would not pass her, but wanted to try. I got closer and closer to her. At some point she looked behind, I think someone told her I was on her tail. Anyhow, I pushed hard but finished about 10 sec behind her (?) I needed 250meters to get her. I was OK with that. Chris was not. He was pissed at himself for not checking and telling me that I was in fact close to her. Seriously Chris? After waking up at 5am with me, making me strong coffee, taking pictures and watching Petru all morning? No, you did plenty!

The truth is, I could have pushed harder on the run. I did not even get nauseous like I normally do. I think I could have pushed harder on the bike, too. But, I am very pleased overall. I did better than I anticipated. By the way, I ended up 3rd woman overall; the first woman finished in 1:09 something, and the second finished after me, but ended up before me because she was older and in the third wave (I was second wave).

Here are the pics:




I felt pretty sexy in my Splish sparkly suit!!!














Why is that guy sitting in a chair in front of me?














Starting the bike, I am the one in a basing suit only - worked great!














































Finishing the run! Overstriding, of course!














Getting my award (1st AG, they only awarded 1st overall). Yes, I did change my outfit!












While I raced, someone had a lot of donuts.... Looks like fun was had by all (including Chris, who got the afternoon to himself:)