Lake Padden Competitive Triathlon

[jesvetmed]

OK... "Competitive" is only the name they give it b/c it isn't a true "Olympic" length. It's a bit shorter.
But I did this on Saturday. It was GORGEOUS. We started at 8:30am, so the heat had not hit too badly before we finished.

Here's my details. Race was 0.5 mile swim, 21 mile bike and 5.2 mile run on trail around the lake.

I finished 188 overall out of 256 total. NOT LAST!!!!

My times:
Swim 15:57, T1 3:28 (oops!)
Bike 1:14:18, T2 2:16 (oops!)
Run 58 min (BIG OOPS!)

Yeah... Swimming went FINE. I didn't push it terribly, had a comfortable swim without ANY ISSUES!!!!! My goal for the day -- to be honest, this was making me VERY nervous.

I thought I was quick in my transition -- apparently not! That's alright.
Bike: I felt good, but the hills were big and many and I went out VERY fast, and couldn't seem to tell myself to hang back and let the legs relax a bit -- a friend has told me over and over -- "save the legs for the run". I don't ever listen well - -have to learn the hard way! I had to stop and give a tube to a gal who had already used hers and got yet another flat! But, I have to thank Coach Troy here -- the UPHILL GRIND helped.. I passed many men and women on the hills!

T2 uneventful -- apparently I was in no hurry b/c I took the time to stretch out, chat with hubby a bit... hmmm... did I forget what I was doing?!

Run... oh boy! No legs. They were cramped already -- calves on both sides. And I couldn't get my breathing to calm down. I ended up walk/running it all -- the first loop (2.6 miles) I did in 25 minutes, and the last one, well, way more than that. I did take a potty break in there (how does anyone avoid this with all the drinking?!)

At any rate, I finished! Did I mention, NOT LAST!?

I know where I need to work now! But I had fun, and felt pretty good about most of it. Everyone was VERY nice and supportive. I'd recommend the race to anyone. They did a sprint after ours. LOTS of people out for that.

Here's a couple pics from the day. Notice who was RIDING out of T1 when the rest were walking!??? And that's not a smile on my face at the finish -- it's a grimace. I tried to get a little sprint going, and both calves cramped! YIKE! I had enlarged the pic of me in the wetsuit -- and it looks like I'm crying! Really... I was NOT! I swear!

[Wahine]

Good Race Jes!!!

Those are all good solid times. I don't know how hot it was up there but in Sunriver we were cooking today and everyone had a tough time on the run!!

[teigyr]

Jes, did you have fun? And you weren't last You think like I do.

I heard it's really hilly up there. That and not all that long ago you were having problems on your swim so I think you did awesome. No issues = good race. It was hot to run so I wouldn't feel too bad about that. I was burning up and my run was only 3.1 miles.

Great pictures

[jesvetmed]

I don't know how hot it was up there but in Sunriver we were cooking today and everyone had a tough time on the run!!

I don't do heat well....I went to Costco and bought two new fans today... and stayed inside and napped in front of them! GOOD DAY!

I did actually walk around LaConner at a street festival for a bit. But I think I need to get a slow jog and yoga in tomorrow!

Thanks for the good wishes, all!

[rocknrollgirl]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats Jess. The run can be brutal when you are not feeling it. Way to hang in there. I am happy for you.

[KnottedYet]

Congratulations! The pictures look great. (I'd never guess that was a grimace on your face, looks like a smile!)

[Veronica]

Gosh that looks like a beautiful place for an event.

All tri bike rides must start with an uphill. Think about it, where does water collect? I think that just adds to my case for doing them in the reverse order. Oh, wait, that logic actually doesn't work. You still have to go up the hill.

Congrats on a job well done.

V.

[salsabike]

Congrats, Jes! Nice to get that done after your earlier swim experience so now you know you're okay. And I'm impressed you could finish through this heat!

[Kimmyt]

Nice pics and good job!

I really do think that the funniest faces get made coming out of the swim portion of a tri... I always look like I'm gonna throw up (even though I USUALLY don't feel like it...)

K.

[Tri Girl]

Hey- nice job, Jes!!! Way to go on a great race. Your times are really good, and you should be proud (now about those transtion times...). The pics are really good, too. I don't think it's a grimace- looks like a happy to be finishing smile if I ever saw one.
Sounds like you had a good time- and anytime I'm not last is a GREAT day!

Congrats on a solid race!

[NbyNW]

Jes - so glad that you had a great time and no issues with the swim! I'm sure that's got to feel good after that scary episode a few weeks back.

[spindizzy]

Agree with Veronica. I would have a smile on my face forever to compete in such a beautiful location. Congratulations on your race. Set goals, meet goals, make new ones. You really do look like your smiling!

[colby]

Congrats, Jes! Roasty weekend, but it looks beautiful.

[jesvetmed]

THANKS EVERYONE! You all are so great!

I really do think that the funniest faces get made coming out of the swim portion of a tri... I always look like I'm gonna throw up (even though I USUALLY don't feel like it...)

Ha! DH has watched me come out of my swim two times now -- and both times he said I looked like death warmed over! I felt fine this time (the last time was the breathing incident, so I deserved that!). But he says I looked just as bad at this event and he was worried!

[Veronica]

Thom says I look really pale when I come out of the water, so you're not alone.

V.