PNW Tri Novices

[teigyr]

I was pink too!!! Though I was an earlier (meaning older) pink.

It is good to know that we could park near the venue if we got there early enough. I don't know if I'll do the Danskin experience again but who knows, I might.

I'm impressed that you ran over some other cap colors I think I passed a few of the wave right before me (very very very few) and then I had a few people from the next wave pass me. Fast swimmers impress the heck out of me.

The warm-up area was nice and floaty except for all the seaweed. Every time I came out of the water I looked like a swamp creature

[salsabike]

You guys, I hate hate hate to burst our common "wow, I went fast" mph numbers, but I talked to a friend (placed 365th) who heard from another friend about a 10.5 mile total on her bike computer. Colby, that's similar to yours. I did not remember to restart my computer until a bit into the ride, but it was only a small bit, I think. I just looked at it now and it said 10.88. Am starting to wonder if they set the course a little short...Did anyone else check their mileage?

[kelownagirl]

How long was your bike supposed to be? I get confused with the variety of sprint tri distances.

Mine was 750m, 20km, 5km (.46 mile, 12.4 mile, 3.1 mile)

[jesvetmed]

I didn't run the computer, but I wondered -- it seems unlikely that I would avg my fastest time ever on that ride! But it was a smooth, easy ride other than the bottlenecks. Sounded about 2m/hr too fast.

I think it was 12 miles... or 12.point.something?

[colby]

Was supposed to be 20k... .75k/20k/5k. Last year they shortened the swim by 250m (I was able to swim it in 15 minutes), this year it must have been back to the correct distance (took me 18 minutes).

I've never had problems with my computer before. I don't see how it could be 2 miles off. I know I was close to 20mph, but I was expecting to be under. I guess it's all relative to other people, to some degree, at least we were all measured with the same stick.

[Wahine]

You gals crack me up!!!

Salsa, thank you so much for that amazing story/race report. I loved it, grinning right now almost as much as you are in the photos. And than you for "bringing me to dinner". Did you actually fish in chips?? That is too funny.

I'll say it again, I'm so proud of you all.

[Connie]

Thank you for sharing your pictures. This was my second DT. My first was in '06 and hope to do it again next year. My daughters did it this year with me in honor of me turning 60 next month! For the women here in the Seattle area where did you train for the swimming? When it was cold I went to Meadowbrook Pool and then at Magnuson Beach when the weather finally got hot! I would love to do some training with you gals next year. The weekend you spent with Wahine sounded like a blast. What are you going to do on the off time to keep motivated? I usually ride the BG trail but get pretty bored with it. I would like to do some rides with Cascade Bicycle Club but most of them are 20 miles or more. Connie

[NbyNW]

Got home from the east coast very early this morning but have been following your race reports -- so psyched for everyone for meeting their goals this weekend! And the pictures are awesome, wish I could have been there. You all look like you're having a great time! And I'm so impressed by the shear scale of the event. Congratulations, everyone!!!

I noticed there's a similar thread re the bike distance on seatri.org today.

My own training update:

I've been swimming twice a week and adding 100 yds each session, and also feeling my stamina increase. Yay!

Bike workouts are pretty much covered by the commute. Would love to find time for a longer ride, but . . . you know how it can be. And I figure biking from home to pool to work is 2/3 of a supersprint.

Running has been a bit less consistent. I started out doing some short intervals a couple of weeks ago and on Friday was in the hotel gym b/c of thunderstorms in NYC (had originally been planning to do my old route in Central Park), but had horrible PMS pain - first time ever I felt I wasn't wearing enough support. So I did three 3-minute intervals with my arms crossed over my chest and then spent the rest of my time doing core work.

Today was supposed to be a run day too but the 1 am arrival home made it impossible to run before work. I figure an unscheduled rest day means I should be able to double-up later in the week.

Wherever I am on race day, that's where I'll be.

[Connie]

I just read about the mileage on the bike ride and mine read a little over 10 miles too. I think it was 10.47 miles. I thought maybe my computer was wrong but maybe not. I know they did shorten the swim last year but put it back to what it was suppose to be which is 1/2 mile. I'm really curious about the true distance for the bike ride now.

[NbyNW]

Welcome Connie! Sounds like you had a great time with your daughters.

I'm swimming at Evans Pool in Green Lake to get ready for the Sept. 7 tri in Federal Way.

Re what I'm planning to do in my "time off": I'm sure I'll have some performance goals after the first tri. But honestly all this swimming biking and running has been carrying me through my days at work, so that (as well as kicking old injuries to the curb!) is my big motivation. Last Wednesday I biked to the pool, swam 10 laps, then biked 5 miles to work. Felt like a champion. Really didn't mind pushing papers the rest of the day. One of these days I'm going to arrive at my office and just keep going . . .

This winter I will probably look to have someone coach me on my swim technique and just keep riding my bikes as much as possible.

[teigyr]

Hi Connie It sounds like you had a fun time too.

For OWS, I go to Matthews Beach or Madison Beach. Madison is nicer; the swim distance is 150 yards vs. 75 yards at Matthews. The water at Madison seems cleaner too. Matthews is closer to the house so that's where I go when I don't have much time. If you have a wetsuit, I'm sure you can swim for a bit longer before it gets too cold.

For pool swimming, I go to LA Fitness.

I am not a cold weather cyclist so I'll probably go to some spin classes in the winter. Right now I'm training for a marathon so most of my post-Danskin time will be running. I swim once a week though.

It is always fun to train with people! Definitely think about next year or even this year, if it works out.

As far as keeping motivated goes, I keep signing up for things so then I need to train for them

I know I've mentioned it in this thread before but if you're looking for a nice early season Tri, the one at Five Mile Lake is a lot of fun and it's small. It's in June.

Congrats on your upcoming birthday! It sounds like you had a perfect celebration.

[Connie]

Thank you to all of you who responded to my e-mail. I appreciate it very much. I went for a 14 mile bike ride yesterday and then went swimming today and swam for about 15-20 minutes. It was the first time in my life I've swam that far doing the freestyle!!!!!! I felt really good about how far I've come in my swimming this year. Next year I'm hoping to do the swim without a wetsuit. The pool was certainly a whole lot easier to swim in compared to the lake!

Also, I'm really curious about the distance on the bike ride so I e-mailed Danskin and hopefully they'll send it on to the person incharge of it in Seattle. I'll let you know if I get an answer!

[dex]

From the picture conversation over in Colby's Danskin thread:

The person among us who WAS pretty photogenic was Dex. The girl just looks good in photos, is all. Funny how that happens with some folks but not others.

Heh. I think at least half of why that worked that way was because by the time the majority of the pictures of me were taken I had long given up on speed. All of the bike pics were snapped once I'd entered "I'm just going to prop myself up and coast along enjoying this nice leisurely ride by the lake" mode. There are a few of them where you can see riders in the background who were still actually trying. (I cheered them on as they rode by me.)

My wetsuit pic...now that one was special. I've named it, "How many chins can one girl have, anyway?" I think I may frame it and send it to my mom.

Here's the link to judge for yourself: Dex's Danskin pics here

[SadieKate]

I'm trying to figure out how you guys actually got any racing done. It sounds like you giggled the whole way.

I'm actually claustrophobic looking at some of those photos. I hate crowds. I can't imagine racing in a crowd. I tip my helmet to yawl (that is the plural yawl ).

[jesvetmed]

Allright Dex.... Here's my photos. Everyone else must share, now!