Fat Bottomed Girls first tri: Carpinteria, CA

[fatbottomedgurl]

Well I did it! .5k. 15k, 5k.

The first surprise was the fog! We were expecting a warm day, in fact I was concerned because I was in the last wave at 8:37 and thought we would be hot on our run. But it was cold and foggy.

I got an end spot in the transition area and met some other first timers. I had plenty of time- no rush so no anxiety there. The camaraderie was awesome. My only support was my DH because there was no way my teenagers would get out of bed at 4:30.

I stood on the beach and could barely see the buoys. On top of that, this particular beach is known to be very quiet, but we had pretty big surf happening. I had a total moment of panic after zipping up my wetsuit- I couldn't find my goggles! But I realized I had zipped them up inside my suit. Hahah. My husband had to reach in and get them for me.

I seeded myself almost in the front to the left of the crowd. We had a left shoulder around the buoy and I wanted to stay on the inside. Off we went! It was crowded at the buoy, I turned practically next to it as arms and legs thrashed about. Most every one swung wide, so I stayed close to the inside, with the crowd to my right. There was quite a swell going- I got a couple mouthfuls of water. Someone was drafting me, and kept grabbing my foot! So I kicked really hard for a little while. I don't mind someone drafting, but seriously, don't grab me! Finally I got to the next buoy, made a left and into shore. A little wobbly as I jogged into T1.

Transitioned well- I had my shoes clipped in so just needed to strip the wetsuit, put on the helmet and glasses and jog barefoot to the mount area. Swung my leg over, pedaled a bit, got my feet in my shoes and off I went. The bike was harder after swimming- I've never done that before. It was still misty- I think it slowed everyone down a little bit. I only got passed by one lady and a few guys, and I was passing the folks on mtbs. I kept my place and was patient because I knew the course- a long very gradual climb, a downhill canyon, and a steeper climb midway. I knew if I played it right I could pass people on the second climb.

Got to the steep spot and dropped a couple of guys, and then passed the lady who had dropped me earlier. Yesss! The rest of the course was a downhill curvy section- dropped more folks there especially on the sharp turns- and then a long straight fairly flat four miles through farmland. Rode into town and slipped my feet out of my shoes for a barefoot running dismount. I was glad I practiced that for an hour on Saturday!

I thought I would die when I started running. There was no way I was going to make three miles! But I hooked up with a woman for the run- she was actually nine years younger. She would walk a bit and I would pass her, then I would walk for a bit and she would pass me. We started teasing each other, and it really helped the run. I was being passed right and left. I am a very slow runner and my heart rate blows up if I go too fast. I did pick up the pace for the home stretch, and my running friend did too. I ended up following her into the finish line. I loved hearing my name and hometown on the loudspeaker as I came in- Yesss! I did it!

This winter I will work on my swim speed and running, but I am very happy considering I just started running at the end of July, and had to stop training two weeks ago thanks to Lenny the butt-chomping Mastiff! V^^V

Swim: 15:27 T1 2:44 Bike: 33:34 T2 2:49 Run: 35:44 Total 1:30:16 22/41 45-49 year olds. 331/456 total contestants