Metroplex Sprint Triathlon

[KSH]

Hello ladies! Here is my race report from today (6-10-07). I had a great race! And the weather was perfect!
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Triathlon - Sprint
Total Time = 1h 40m 3s
Overall Rank = 338/500
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 13/17

Pre-race routine:

Went to bed at 9:30 PM and woke up at 4:30 AM. I got a wonderful night's sleep. Somehow I have figured out how to sleep the night before a race. It's heavenly.

My boyfriend (Jbrashear) picked me up at 5:00 AM and off we went. I ate my usual vegetarian breakfast sandwhich and 2 waffles (est. 600 calories).

We got there around 5:55 AM and headed off to transition about 6:10 AM.

I set up my transition and got ready. Saw Gary in the transition and Clint and chatted with them some. I have found out that I love putting my stuff on the end, away from the asile. I can spread out and put my huge backpack there and no one cares.


SWIM

00:13:42 | 874.89 yards | 1m 34s / 100yards
Age Group: 3/17
Overall: 118/500

I was nervous about this swim. I dreaded having to start a wave swim start with the 35-39 year old men.

We waded out and I got to the left and the outside. Away from the buoyes (? spelling). I was in shallow water when I started and stayed there. Then I hit the weeds. WOAH! This made me panicked for a moment. I stop to tread water for a moment and they felt like they were taking me down and wrapping around my legs. They were also scratchy and very annoying.

I quickly moved from that spot and swam into the crowd. My goal for the swim was to just haul butt. No holding back. I got into the crowd and went for it. I had fun picking off the pink caps from the wave before. And, I was nice, but I bullied my through the water. I didn't smack anyone or anything like that, but I did push my way through at times.

Overall my sighting was pretty decent. The last stretch wasn't so good, as I was swimming away from the crowd. I finally saw the crowd and got back on course.

At the end, I checked my watch and I had done the swim in 13 minutes. YES! I was a happy girl. Off I ran to T1 feeling good.


T1

Time: 02:11
Yea, I suck at transitions. It is what it is. Until I can run 8 minute or less miles, my transitions aren't going to matter to me.


BIKE

00:48:30 | 16.78 miles | 20.76 mile/hr
Age Group: 9/17
Overall: 196/500

My goal on the bike was to haul butt. I figured go all out and see how I do on the run. My last race, I held back on the bike to save it for the run. So I figured try something different this time.

The bike course was pretty flat and overall pretty uneventful. I did pass a good amount of people and I got passed as well. It was a pretty crowded course and at times it was hard to make my move to go faster.

I also played tag with 2 guys for about a good 8 miles of the ride. So annoying. They would get in front and slow down... I would pass... they would get upset about the girl passing them and take the lead again. I was happy when they finally took off for good.

I stayed in aero position most of the time and my neck or back didn't feel it.

Overall this was a really great ride for me. I have NEVER done this kind of average in a race before... or... ever for that matter... HA! When I was riding the last mile into the park, I checked my average. I yelled out in joy and felt really good about what I had done.

All my training is paying off! YES!

T2
Time: 02:20


RUN

00:33:17 | 03.1099 miles | 10m 42s min/mile
Age Group: 17/17
Overall: 338/500

My goal on the run was as follows:
Mile 1- 12 minute mile
Mile 2- 10 minute mile
Mile 3- 10 minute mile

I wanted to see if I could actually watch the time and pace myself. I have never worn a watch in a race and tried this, so I wanted to see how it worked out.

I was able to hit my pacing times perfectly! I kept watch on the time and did exactly what I planned to do.

I also wanted to make sure that I didn't get a side cramp that would make me walk. That goal was achieved too. Running slower the first mile helped that. A side cramp started to pop up before mile 1, but I focused on slowing my breathing and massing it.

The last 2 miles were fine and I ran my plan. I have to say that hauling butt on the bike did not affect my run. I finished strong and crossed the finish line happy.

With that said, I was DEAD LAST in my AG on the run. Really shows how much I suck at running. I know this year will NOT be my year on the run. Next year, maybe the pain in my lower legs will go away and I can work on speed work. Until then, my running is slow and that's just how it is.

Once done I saw my boyfriend and we walked off. He asked how I did and I was so happy and excited about my performance, I almost started crying. I didn't, but darn I was close.

Once the chatting was done, we headed home. I got a headache about 1/2 way home and just now got rid of it at 6:00 PM. I think it was due to lack of food. Who knows. I have gotten them before after bike rides too.

All in all a great race, beautiful day and all my training IS paying off!
Getting a coach (Mike Plumb-www.tripower.org) has really paid off for me!

[Tri Girl]

KSH- amazing race report!!! You are an ANIMAL on the bike!!! OMG- nearly 21 mph avg. WOW!!! I'm sooooo thrilled that your first tri back in the saddle was so great. Not only was your race good, but you feel good too (well, aside from the headache).
AMAZING!!!! I'm in awe of you!!! You've really worked hard this last year and it's definitely paying off!!! Congrats on a great race!!!! So very proud of you!!!!
Thanks for posting about your race- I was thinking about you (and eclectic) all day.

CONGRATS!!!

[KSH]

KSH- amazing race report!!! You are an ANIMAL on the bike!!! OMG- nearly 21 mph avg. WOW!!! I'm sooooo thrilled that your first tri back in the saddle was so great. Not only was your race good, but you feel good too (well, aside from the headache).
AMAZING!!!! I'm in awe of you!!! You've really worked hard this last year and it's definitely paying off!!! Congrats on a great race!!!! So very proud of you!!!!
Thanks for posting about your race- I was thinking about you (and eclectic) all day.

CONGRATS!!!

HA... well, thanks. It was a fast and FLAT course with little to no wind. Everyone was going fast today. For me, my average was great, but for my AG it was just... average.

My hard work is paying off though. I have to say, I think my boyfriend is a little ticked off. My overall time beat his overall time by about 30 seconds. Of course, he trains like 2-3 days a week and I train 5-7 days a week. There are many weekends where I go out to ride and he stays in bed.

So, I wonder how eclectic did. I guess we get her race report tomorrow.

[Running Mommy]

I would kill to have that bike speed! And that confidence to kick a little arse in the water??!! Way to get at it!!
As for the headache, it could be a bit of low blood sugar- need to eat. But it could also very well be dehydration. In fact I would suspect that since the headache lasted a while. Usually if it's bood sugar it goes away once you eat.
So drink up girlie!
And congrats!! Great job!
Denise

[eclectic]

KSH -- AWESOME job ! ! ! ! and a high five! I wish my times were near that fast and you had a longer distance to go than I did.

YOU ROCK! ! !

[alpinerabbit]

Excellent job - particularly the swim of course! I hope I will do just like you.....

[colby]

I've been too busy to read for a long time (almost a month ), but I wanted to congratulate you, KSH, on your performance. Your run times might not be super stellar, but look at how much you've improved! Running, pacing, not getting cramps, you've come so far. For a C race, even a flat one, you did awesome.

So, congratulations, even though it's belated.