Tri Report

[teawoman]

I've done this tri before. It's my favourite. It's an all women's tri, very well organized, and there are women of all kinds of sizes doing it. There was even a grandmother/daughter/grandaughter team: very cool.

500m swim, 20k bike, 5k run.

The first time I did it was on a heavy hybrid bike. I weighed ~200 pounds.

First time in 2004:

Swim: 22:59 (It was 750 metres that year)
Bike: 1:34:39 (Aack!)
Run: 41:14

Total: 2:38:52

I was last.

Last year on my new road bike:

Overall: 210/235

Swim: 205/235 16:23
Bike: 189/235 56:24
Run: 215/235 38:29

Total: 1:51:14.9

This year (~175 pounds):
Overall: 188/257 (near the front of the back of the pack )

Swim: 216/257 15:26
Bike: 150/257 52:18
Run: 207/257 36:14

Total: 1:43:57.4

32/38 in AG (usually I'm last or second last).

To have been 150th on the swim and run, I would have had to swim 13:39 and run 32:41. Dunno if I can do that .

I think that's an ok improvement between this year and last. That bike time includes both transitions, and I took forever and a day in the first one. I estimate from my bike computer that the actual time was about 48 mins for the 20k. The route was a loop--downhill one way, uphill the other. It's always on the same highway, but sometimes the loops are different: one year there was a hawk swooping in and attacking at one point on the loop, so they had to change the route and post new maps before the tri.

The weather was cool, threatened rain but didn't, so it was ideal! Sun came out for the run. They served Ultima at the water stops. Ew. Remind me never to try that again (just the taste, no other problems).

I may post a pic, depending on what they look like. I get mad when I see my pics. I think I should look a bunch thinner for all the effort I've made this summer.

I get a bit discouraged about my weight (even though it seems to be coming off again now that I've added hills and some longer distance in there). I've been on the world's worst plateau (talking almost 2 years here). I guess I know I can maintain now.

However, I was happy to be out there, happy to have improved, and happy to be active. I was grinning madly through the whole thing. Even if I never lose any more weight, I like this so much I'd never give it up.

[KSH]

Hey, you are strong and healthy... be proud of it!

Looks like you are improving and getting faster as well. That is a huge accomplishment!

Great job on the race!

[Wahine]

Good job on your race!! You did well.

[alpinerabbit]

You keep winning against yourself, that's what matters. The weight will drop steadily if you keep at it.

[Urlea]

That's an awesome improvement over the years Great Job!!

[colby]

The fact that you improved even though you feel like you're on a weight loss plateau means you're NOT on a fitness plateau - which is more important anyway.

Congratulations, and here's to more improvement to come!!

[NbyNW]

I'm so impressed at how your numbers have improved since your first race!

I've been wondering if there's a way to help people focus on what they can DO, as a way of overcoming issues w/ body image. Everyone has things they don't like about their body, but if you have the discipline to train for triathlons and consistently improve? It sounds like you're rightfully gaining a lot of confidence from that. BRAVO!

Interesting article making the rounds this afternoon: about weight, fitness & disease risk factors -- this study argues that it's not all about weight: http://www.reuters.com/article/lates.../idUSN11372238

I've always wondered about this stuff, since I know at least two men who are Type 2 Diabetics and are definitely not overweight.

[OakLeaf]

Way to go! That's great progress!

[Iris616]

Great Job! I'm impressed you've done this race 3 times now!

[roadie gal]

You should be so proud of yourself. You've improved tremendously.

[Tri Girl]

Wow! Look at the difference in the bike time alone! In triathlon we really only compete against ourselves, and it looks like you're kicking your own tail at this race. Nicely done!

[HillSlugger]

You've had great improvement. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. Congrats.

[jesvetmed]

Great Job! I can't believe how much time you've taken off in two years! And you are quite a bit lighter! Way to go. Keep up the good work, and take some time to congratulate yourself on all of your hard work!
Jes

[teawoman]

Thanks all. I will try and remember not to be so hypercritical of myself.

[Skeezix]

Its great that you are seeing such improvement! Nearly an hour off!