Metroplex Sprint Triathlon
Hello ladies! Here is my race report from today (6-10-07). I had a great race! And the weather was perfect!
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Triathlon - Sprint
Total Time = 1h 40m 3s
Overall Rank = 338/500
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 13/17
Pre-race routine:
Went to bed at 9:30 PM and woke up at 4:30 AM. I got a wonderful night's sleep. Somehow I have figured out how to sleep the night before a race. It's heavenly.
My boyfriend (Jbrashear) picked me up at 5:00 AM and off we went. I ate my usual vegetarian breakfast sandwhich and 2 waffles (est. 600 calories).
We got there around 5:55 AM and headed off to transition about 6:10 AM.
I set up my transition and got ready. Saw Gary in the transition and Clint and chatted with them some. I have found out that I love putting my stuff on the end, away from the asile. I can spread out and put my huge backpack there and no one cares.
SWIM
00:13:42 | 874.89 yards | 1m 34s / 100yards
Age Group: 3/17
Overall: 118/500
I was nervous about this swim. I dreaded having to start a wave swim start with the 35-39 year old men.
We waded out and I got to the left and the outside. Away from the buoyes (? spelling). I was in shallow water when I started and stayed there. Then I hit the weeds. WOAH! This made me panicked for a moment. I stop to tread water for a moment and they felt like they were taking me down and wrapping around my legs. They were also scratchy and very annoying.
I quickly moved from that spot and swam into the crowd. My goal for the swim was to just haul butt. No holding back. I got into the crowd and went for it. I had fun picking off the pink caps from the wave before. And, I was nice, but I bullied my through the water. I didn't smack anyone or anything like that, but I did push my way through at times.
Overall my sighting was pretty decent. The last stretch wasn't so good, as I was swimming away from the crowd. I finally saw the crowd and got back on course.
At the end, I checked my watch and I had done the swim in 13 minutes. YES! I was a happy girl. Off I ran to T1 feeling good.
T1
Time: 02:11
Yea, I suck at transitions. It is what it is. Until I can run 8 minute or less miles, my transitions aren't going to matter to me.
BIKE
00:48:30 | 16.78 miles | 20.76 mile/hr
Age Group: 9/17
Overall: 196/500
My goal on the bike was to haul butt. I figured go all out and see how I do on the run. My last race, I held back on the bike to save it for the run. So I figured try something different this time.
The bike course was pretty flat and overall pretty uneventful. I did pass a good amount of people and I got passed as well. It was a pretty crowded course and at times it was hard to make my move to go faster.
I also played tag with 2 guys for about a good 8 miles of the ride. So annoying. They would get in front and slow down... I would pass... they would get upset about the girl passing them and take the lead again. I was happy when they finally took off for good.
I stayed in aero position most of the time and my neck or back didn't feel it.
Overall this was a really great ride for me. I have NEVER done this kind of average in a race before... or... ever for that matter... HA! When I was riding the last mile into the park, I checked my average. I yelled out in joy and felt really good about what I had done.
All my training is paying off! YES!
T2
Time: 02:20
RUN
00:33:17 | 03.1099 miles | 10m 42s min/mile
Age Group: 17/17
Overall: 338/500
My goal on the run was as follows:
Mile 1- 12 minute mile
Mile 2- 10 minute mile
Mile 3- 10 minute mile
I wanted to see if I could actually watch the time and pace myself. I have never worn a watch in a race and tried this, so I wanted to see how it worked out.
I was able to hit my pacing times perfectly! I kept watch on the time and did exactly what I planned to do.
I also wanted to make sure that I didn't get a side cramp that would make me walk. That goal was achieved too. Running slower the first mile helped that. A side cramp started to pop up before mile 1, but I focused on slowing my breathing and massing it.
The last 2 miles were fine and I ran my plan. I have to say that hauling butt on the bike did not affect my run. I finished strong and crossed the finish line happy.
With that said, I was DEAD LAST in my AG on the run. Really shows how much I suck at running. I know this year will NOT be my year on the run. Next year, maybe the pain in my lower legs will go away and I can work on speed work. Until then, my running is slow and that's just how it is.
Once done I saw my boyfriend and we walked off. He asked how I did and I was so happy and excited about my performance, I almost started crying. I didn't, but darn I was close.
Once the chatting was done, we headed home. I got a headache about 1/2 way home and just now got rid of it at 6:00 PM. I think it was due to lack of food. Who knows. I have gotten them before after bike rides too.
All in all a great race, beautiful day and all my training IS paying off!
Getting a coach (Mike Plumb-www.tripower.org) has really paid off for me!
