And she raced one more tri, THE END!
Well, the end for this year. ;) Sorry it's so long...
Yesterday, I did the Trek Women Triathlon in Seattle. Basically, this is Sally Edwards and the other lady (Mary something?) splitting off from Danskin and forming their own race. There is all kinds of subtext on their race site FAQ about why they did this, but it's basically a clone of the Danskin with more emphasis on being for women of all kinds and supportive of women, in true Sally Edwards form (a race FOR women, not just a race WITH women). I can dig that.
I think there were around 900 or so people signed up, and over 800 finished. Compared to the 3700 of the Danskin, it seemed small, but I did like the size. It had the organization of a larger race, but the feel of a smaller race. Good combination I thought. Being September in Seattle, you really had no idea what to expect weather, wise, but it was a FREAKING BEAUTIFUL day in the end! The day before was a little wet and windy, but it all disappeared overnight. The weather gods have shined upon me this year and for that I thank them generously with offerings of medals and smiles.
The packet pick-up was at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, so we parked up on the hill (because I am cheap) and walked down. They did body marking on site the day before again, which seems entirely silly, because my skin never absorbs that ink and it always rubs off. I guess I am too well-hydrated (or my skin is more naturally oily, I don't wear a lot of lotion). :) The expo was small. A cool Trek bikes setup with demo bikes that my husband steered me clear of (but, but, but), the Heart Zones display, various free items, and Sally doing her thing every so often on stage. The shirt was the same womens Zorel tech tee as Danskin, which means they ran a size or two small. They had a cool space on your bib where you could write your name, awesome idea, they should have put out sharpies so people could write it in big letters.
Unlike the Danskin, you rack the day of the race, which wasn't bad with that # of people, though I got there at 6:15 or 6:30 (race started at 7:15, I started at 7:51). Air temp was 52 degrees, water temp was more like 65-70. My husband, father in law, and mother in law all came - she has done the Danskin for several years and was super excited to see what it looks like to spectate rather than participate. I raced Athena, my LAST Athena race (RIGHT? right.). We got to see the first wave start and several after that (I was in #10 of about 15 or 18), they were smaller groups than the Danskin which was cool. I think waves and numbers were by age whether you were racing Athena or not. I got in the water to warm up (and pee, I admit) and then got right in line (getting pretty good at the timing). Sally was there at the start, giving us our "word" (joyous) and having us do the chant. She did add a "moment of introspection" at the end where she told us all to take a deep breath, which was a really good idea as this does tend to get some people a little too amped up before they race.
Aaaaaand we were off! I started in front, got passed by a couple of people, but caught up to one of them, so only one person in my wave was out of the water before me (I saw her go by, she was a strong swimmer). The swim felt slower than the Danskin (it was) but I think that's because of my time off from training, which I keep telling myself WAS really good for my body. My shoulder tightened up hard after about 100 yards, but I pushed through. Great sighting (though I continually second guess myself) and WAY WAY WAY less crowded than Danskin - I didn't run over anyone. Though I had eaten a PB english muffin for breakfast at 5:45, I felt HUNGRY getting out of the water. Usually a bad sign, again need to adjust race day nutrition.
T1 was okay, I probably could have hauled a little more, which we'll find out later I really should have. My wetsuit caught a little and I felt a little crowded on my rack (should have gone back before the start to force my way over the rack-hogs around me).
The bike was good - I went out fairly strong, I made sure to try to eat two full servings of hammer gel to get some calories in me. I actually felt really good, though I think I could move faster. I think I need to put more hill climbing into my regular rides, that's where I feel like I suffer (though I know everyone else is suffering, too). It's flat to uphill with rolling gentle slopes one way, and flat to downhill with the same rolling gentle slopes on the return.
T2 was uneventful, again probably should have hauled a little more, but my socks and shoes went on easy (love those no-tie laces!!).
The run went pretty well, too! I think I could have pushed a little harder. I always say that. It's the curse of a perfectionist and a slow runner, I guess. :) I was over a minute faster than basically the same course at the Danskin - though at the Trek they don't take over ALL of the park, only the part closest to the water, so the turnaround and finish line are adjusted. The course is mostly flat except for one big hill, which I practiced my forward lean, cadence, and arm motion on. I only took in water at the aid stations, in me and on me. The finisher's medal is a cool dog tag like item that's pretty tasteful. I'll have to upload a picture of it.
So, at the end, we waited for them to post results, mostly to satisfy my curiosity. I got beat in the Athenas by 20 seconds. ALL IN TRANSITION. *cries* I was 30 seconds faster on the swim, 20 or 30 seconds slower on the bike, and 30 or 40 seconds faster on the run, but she beat me by 20 seconds. She must be a transition MACHINE! So, Athena winner, if you are out there, KUDOS TO YOU! There was no awards ceremony, and when we asked a volunteer he said there was no awards, but there actually were awards 3 deep, so somewhere out there there's a 2nd place medal with my name on it.
Overall time: 1:26:20 (75/815)
Swim: 16:44 for ~1/2 mile (120/815)
T1: 2:55
Bike: 36:17 for ~12 miles, 19.8mph (26/815)
T2: 1:55
Run: 28:28 for ~3.1 miles, 9:11 min/mile (213/815)
Would've been 14th (of 82) in my AG. The 815 number includes teams. There were 51 Athenas (strong showing for the Athenas!). 3rd Athena was 5 minutes behind. I really wanted to improve my run time, which I did by a minute, and I was amazed to have beaten someone on the run and not have been passed as much as I normally am.
My goals for next year are to improve my bike endurance (I slowly move down the charts as distance increases right now) and hill endurance, to steadily improve my swim and not let up on my swim training during the summer, drop a lot of time off my run, and to no longer be able to race Athena, as much as I love them. I would love to drop another hour (or more) off my Ironman time and move up the AG ranks. Sprints seem to come more naturally with those goals as long as I adjust my thinking to the short term (faster transition!). I want to get under 1:20, and it mostly has to come off my run, transition, and swim in that order.
Next, I'll be back to marathon training. I am going to continue to bike as long as the weather cooperates, and swim twice a week. I do better mentally when I mix it up - it ends up letting me focus on my running better when it's not every day.
PS: I do have some pictures. I will try to get them posted tonight. I think my husband even took a couple videos.
