Ryka Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon

[HillSlugger]

1000m lake swim, 17.5 mile bike, 3.4 mile run.

This was my second triathlon and my A race for the season. My goals were:

Swim: under 30 minutes
Bike: under 1:10:00 / 15+mph
Run: under 40 minutes / under 12 minutes per mile
Total time under 2:30:00

Went to bed around 10pm; slept somewhat fitfully until 4am. Breakfast of cereal, banana, and yogurt smoothie. Left the house just before 5 and got to the park about 20 minutes later. I had to rack the bike there yesterday so that was one less thing to deal with this morning. After body marking I was checked into the transition area and was relieved to find my bike safely waiting for me where I had left it. Being racked at the end, on the aisle, was great because I was able to set up my area just to the outside where I wasn't competing for space with anyone.

Swim: I was in wave 2, starting off at 7am. The lake was colder than I remembered it from the "dress rehearsal" two weeks ago and the bottom a bit squishier. We waited a few minutes in the water before being let loose. It was quite a while before people got spread out and there was enough room to do more than breast stroke and side stroke. Since I've had basically no practice at sighting I would swim 20 or so strokes of free style and then come up and figure out where I was; mixed in a lot of side stroke and a little bit of breast stroke. Lots of bumping and getting swum into the whole way; I even got kicked in the arm and now have a toenail shaped cut there. On my way out of the water I had a little problem with walking straight, but no light headedness; across the mat at about 28 minutes. Yeah!

T1: Even with my primo end spot I ended up "lost in transition" looking for my area down the wrong aisle. Finally got to the right place and got down to business. Total time around 5 minutes.

Bike: I'd done this route 6 times before so I knew exactly what it was going to throw at me. The only thing I didn't know was what the biking would feel like after swimming. Of course, my legs were tired so I spun in a lower gear than usually for a while before I was able to drop the hammer and start letting it fly. Still, I didn't want to push it too hard, hoping to leave my legs in better shape for the run. I was surprised to hit the turnaround a minute faster than my last training ride; I knew I was probably going too hard and started doing more coasting on the descents. By the last few miles my thighs were screaming and I couldn't wait to get off the bike! Across the mat in about 1:08:00 / about 15.4mph. Yes!

T2: Knew exactly where my area was this time Still, took me over 3 minutes to get into the run.

Run: I started this on autopilot. I'm glad my body seemed to know what needed to be done because my mind hadn't yet caught up. First water station, the cups of water are full of ice cubes. What the heck are you supposed to do with that?!? Got through the first mile in just under 10 minutes and then started into the hilliest section. I gave in and started some walking. Hit mile two in about 21 minutes. Walked most of the last hill and then tried to bring it home all running. My thighs started cramping just above the knee with about 1/2 a mile to go (same thing happened at my first tri last month) and I did one last walk to unknot them. Finally, up the last rise, around the last turn, into the home stretch. So cool to hear my name announced! Across the mat in about 38 minutes! Whew!

Total time about 2:22:00! I am an Iron Girl!

Which way to the massage tables?

It was awesome and I still can't fully believe that I did it.

[Tri Girl]

CONGRATS!!!

Sounds like it was an AMAZING race for you!!!! 8 minutes under your goal??? AWESOME!!! You should feel so incredibly proud of yourself!!!! You beat your times you had set, you finished strong, and you did it (probably with a smile on your face the whole time). Good for you!!! I'm so thrilled that you had a great experience and it was fun!!!
Hip hip hooray!!!!
You're no longer a triathlon slug- you rocked that course!!!!

Ice- LOVE it on a hot run! I usually put some in my chest shelf (dump it down my bra) and let it melt and cool me off, or I put some in my hat or down my shorts- ice is great for everyplace on my body when it's hot .

[Kalidurga]

Nicole, that is absolutely awesome!! After all that training, and your ankle injury, it's got to feel fantastic to have achieved your goals with so much time to spare! You are one tough chick. You definitely earned that massage and I hope it was a good one

[divingbiker]

(probably with a smile on your face the whole time)

Well, having been there, I can attest that Nicole didn't have a smile on her face the whole time.! But she did great, and was standing at the end.

The Irongirl atmosphere inspired me to get my butt in gear and go out for a walk/run this evening so I can do the tri again next year.

It's a great event, and I'm glad Nicole got to be a part of it. Good job!

[HillSlugger]

CONGRATS!!!

Ice- LOVE it on a hot run! I usually put some in my chest shelf (dump it down my bra) and let it melt and cool me off, or I put some in my hat or down my shorts- ice is great for everyplace on my body when it's hot .

Thanks!

Temps today were in the 60's the whole race with clouds and intermittent drizzle so I didn't need any ice down my front

Official times are in:

Swim: 27:58 (2m28s/100m)
T1: 4:51
Bike: 1:08:26 (15.34mph)
T2: 3:06
Run: 37:50 (11:08 min/mile)
Total Time: 2:22:08.20

106/167 AG
1071/ >1703 overall

I'll post some pictures as soon as I can.

[Tri Girl]

Temps in the 60's?? Then what the heck was the ice for? No wonder you were confused.... now I am.

[7rider]

WooHoo!!!!
Congratulations and way to go!!
That is awesome!
Glad all your training paid off in a big way.
Can't wait to see the pictures...

[HillSlugger]

How come nobody talks about the final event of triathlon: trying to get everything packed up and clear transition?

[Wahine]

How come nobody talks about the final event of triathlon: trying to get everything packed up and clear transition?

Oooooooh nooooooo. The real final event is Thai food with beer.

Good work MD!! You really did yourself proud today. 1000 m swim, seems to me there was a time when you were wondering if you could swim at all without fins!!

Yippppppeeeeeee!!!

[HillSlugger]

Ready to go:


Glad that's over...where's my bike?

(notice how dirty my suit is from the water!)

Biking in:


Coming down the chute:

[7rider]

Hey, Nicole??
Is it telling that you're smiling only in the FIRST picture....before you jump in the water??? (just funnin' with ya)

Thanks for sharing the pix. They look great.

[HillSlugger]

Hey, Nicole??
Is it telling that you're smiling only in the FIRST picture....before you jump in the water??? (just funnin' with ya)

Thanks for sharing the pix. They look great.

Do people smile during triathlons?!?

Yes, it probably is telling. After the start of the swim I was too focused on the effort to think about much else. I probably smiled the times I gave high-fives to people but no one was snapping my picture then.

[Tri Girl]

Awesome pics! I really like the one of you before the swim. Such joy on your face!
And I always look that dirty when I come out of a lake swim around here- the mud collects around "the girls." Always looks nice in pictures.

[Zen]

I was talking to a woman at the gym today who did this tri. she told me there was also a team relay option.

Hmmm. I need to find a Masters swimmer.