Mass State tri (sprint) report

I have a long and maybe boring report at the blog... but here's the abridged version...

I too had a t-storm awaken me at 3 am and at the time it looked dubious to race at all. But the weather held a window just for the race. There's an oly and a sprint, I signed on for the sprint. Got to start with the newbie wave (this group allows newbies in their first year).

My 2nd tri ever, first this year, and first event with men and women. Also first time I got transition times (my first race didn't give t times).
Check point enroute to Oly in about 1 month... training in June was sporadic at best, July was better.

For the positive spin ;) I finished 5th in my age group. Ok, it was only 8 total, but I'm still happy.

Here are my results:
174 of 206 at 1:40 total.

Swim: 13:58, 136 overall, which I find baffling because I breast-stroked half
the time out of fear and anxiety. Imagine if I just put my head down and swam...
T1: 2:54 no gloves, no socks, no drink/food. What else to do to be faster?
Bike: Felt great but takes a while to get my stride after the swim, 47:43, 176 overall. Passed only by a few people, almost all were the Oly elite folk who started after my wave. A little disappointed in the actual time but I should have been riding more so...
t2: 2:00 - cycling shoes latches stuck again, and had a drink. maybe 1:30 minute without these?...
Run: 34:05 for 5k, 186 overall. Felt great also here too. For me this is a good 5k. I have yet to break 30 even on a standalone.... so I'll take it. I had to walk a lot of the 5k in my first race last fall.

Needs to focus on before next race: biking miles. OWS swimming, but need buddies to do this. I should be more confident in my swimming because both races I've swum faster than I thought. somehow figuring out how to eat but not wasting time in transition.

-Tasha

Congrats on your tri! Sounds like you improved in all areas...That's what it's all about!

I know what you mean about being able to make up some time on the swim by getting over the anxiety part and just keeping your head down and going. I'm working on the same stuff. We did a 1/3 mile swim in my sprint last weekend but had a big push from an ocean current, which helped a lot for those times when I was hyperventilating and keeping my head out of the water!

And good job on the run...I'm with you on that one, too!

Thanks for the race report and Woohoo for the improvements! Way to be strong on the run.

Keep up the good work/training. :D

When's your next race?

Great job! I think the swimming thing might just be more time in the water with other people... each one you do, you'll be more "at ease" with how it feels. That's the good news! (and I don't have any bad news... ;))

Thanks, everyone! I'm still in the "not sure what to expect" mode, kinda feeling out the whole process. I'm sure you are right that as it becomes more familiar, I will be more at ease with the swim and also better able to judge my effort on the bike. I appreciate the encouragement as I begin to find things to work toward...

Next race is the Cranberry Country Aug 24. It is an Oly only and is closed at about 75O racing (some of these are teams I think). So it will be a big event.

ps to Wavedancer and other ocean swimmers, kudos to you for conquering the anxiety in what I think is a harder element! I am staying away from saltwater at least for now...

Good job on the race!!

I covet your 5k time, right now it's taking me a good 40 minutes to hit 5k. You'll really be hauling if you break 30 min.

Good luck at your next race!

Great job!!! Congratulations on your improvement AND overcoming and pushing through your swim anxiety, as that can be really difficult!!!

Also, be sure to let me know if you rethink doing the HMF Women's tri in September!!!;)

Good job.

It's so hard not to let your head mess with your swim. I think you have the right idea: just put your head down and go... concentrate on catching those feet just ahead of you...

Great report! Congrats on a great race!! :D
Don't worry about the swimming. It's all "up top." If you can rationalize your fear in the OW- then you'll start flying through the water at top speed. The more OWS practice you get, the more you'll be able to calm that voice inside.

Nice work, Tasha. I feel like a slug compared to you.

Maybe someone could start a tri series that was riding, walking, riding.
I guess that would be a duathalon for old people.....