Sprint race report

[Tri Girl]

I did another sprint this weekend- couldn't resist trying a pool swim and a super flat course. The best news: I finally broke the 1:30 barrier (1:28:35). Almost killed me, but I did it.
The swim was a 500m snake swim in a 50m pool (my legs were looking for the wall to push off of halfway down every lap). I was soooo nervous about doing a pool swim. Give me open water any day, where I'm free to move about and swim willy-nilly; but a pool swim scared me. Luckily the lanes were HUGE (double wide). Passing was not a problem, but I can see how in a regular pool lane that might be a tad impossible (look out head on collision ). I've figured out that I need to underestimate my time because I think other people do the same. I passed about 10 people on a short 500m swim- seems like a lot. I was dead-on guessing my time, but I suppose I'll shave a min or two off that for the next swim. Being stuck in a line of 5 swimmers that I had to pass all at once was NOT fun.
Out of the pool we had a long and gravely 200 yd run to T1 (I tried to get them to include that in the run portion, but they politely declined ). Transtion was loooong and narrow, so running in and out took a while. Made for long transition times.
The bike ride was a bit traffic-heavy, but the police at the intersections were VERY helpful and things went smoothly. 12.5 flat miles. Started to rain on the bike, and the cool water felt soooo good. I almost got taken out by a lawn-mowing crew as they pulled out directly in front of me as I'm going 20 mph. Wet roads don't make for quick stops... but then again it's not a real ride if you don't "almost" get taken out at least once. Avg. 16 mph. Not bad, but I know I can drop some serious time on the bike. I just have to learn how to get more power so I can have more speed...
T2 was another long run to re-rack then a short jaunt to hit the course. 2 loop 5K. First loop was uneventful. Rain got harder and it felt wonderful as it cooled me off. On lap 2 I got passed by a 79 year old man in a speedo. Getting passed by someone who is 45 years older than you who's not even breathing hard- kinda takes the wind out of your sails. Made fun chasing him the rest of the lap, tho (but I didn't look too close as his speedo gave me the heebie jeebies a little).
Good race overall. A sprint is a whole other animal from longer distances. I've said before that I'll take an oly or a HIM over a sprint any day. At least with the longer distances I can get in a rhythm and settle down. In a sprint I'm, well... sprinting (duh)- the whole way and that's soooo hard on me. I'm not speedy by nature. Glad I got a new kind of race under my belt, tho. I got 3rd in my AG (out of 10 this time instead of out of 3). Everytime I place in my AG it's a race that only recognizes the first 1 or 2 places. Dad-nabit. One day I'll actually win something...
Now I just have to figure out my next race...


So how did our other racers do this weekend??????

[teigyr]

Congrats

I'd say that speedo sighting would be excellent incentive to try to pass

Not that I know all that much (yet) because my first sprint tri is in Sept but I think your time sounds awesome and is all the more impressive because of the increased transition times. You must be so proud!

[eclectic]

Thanks for the great report! ! ! AND awesome time - I am just hoping to be done in less than 2 hours!

Somebody should tell that poor old gentleman that speedos went the way of the '70's :P

My race isn't until tomorrow - It is now starting to feel a little surreal. Will report in when I get back

[KSH]

Hey, congratulations... 3rd in your AG out of 10... is impressive!

HA-HA about the 79 year old man smoking you. I always get smoked by a senior citizen or kid on a course myself.

Sounds like a fun and solid race. I have a sprint tomorrow... we will see how it goes.

I can't wait to do a longer distance though... I suspect I am like you... I HATE to sprint. I like to get warmed up and then settle into a cruising speed. For example, when I swim it takes me a good 500-800 yards to warm up. Pretty much the exact distance of the swim in a sprint. Sigh.

[Tri Girl]

Eclectic and KSH- good luck tomorrow!!! I'll be thinking of you both all morning. Make sure to post reports when you finish- ok? I can't wait to hear how your races went!!!!

[btchance]

That is an awesome time TriGirl - you'd kick my butt for sure. Completely understand about being passed by senior citizens and little kids - they just seem to come flying by me. I bet you were glad for the rain - it definately gets hot there in OK.

eclectic and KSH - good luck tomorrow, and let us know how it goes.

[alpinerabbit]

Now I am scared.

Of your killer times, of 79 year olds running me over on the bike, and of everything else that's in store for me 2 weeks from now.