OK...The Gory Details..The Real Race Report

**rocknrollgirl** · 05-21-2007, 01:55 AM

OK...So I will try again, maybe I can actually get it posted this time.

So in true Xterra fashion, they started us with a 400 yard run down the soft sand before the swim. Just what you want to do in your full wetsuit and goggles. Geez.

Swim-went great. I was passing people. I would say, ok, I will tuck in behind this guy, hey this guy is too slow, pass him, and find another, hey this guy is too slow...repeat! We did two laps to make the 1/2 mile with a short run between laps. Total time with runs 17:20

T1-ugly! I got the wetsuit off no problem, but tried to put a jersey on while wet over my trisuit. I was trying to be modest. Well the hell with that from now on. It got all tangled up, I cursed like a truck driver and threw it on the ground! Time 2 min 30 secs

Bike-was as brutal as I thought it would be. It is very hilly and technical. My quads blew up and stayed that was for half the ride. People were walking their bikes up most of the hills, and there were peple all over the placed flatted because of the rocks. I threw them a little good karma, said a little prayer and hammered on. Coaxing Gidget my bike with sweet talk...be good to me today baby. Time 1:15.32. I was able to take 10 mins off my training time.

T2.sweet...under a min......no cursing

Run-well, what can I say. My quads were shot. At .8 miles they run us up this huge hill, tobaggan hill. You cannot actaully run it, you have to walk. So my already seizing quads were not happy. They bring you down, and then up another hill to get back to the park road. I had to walk a bit up that hill and then got going again. At the last switchback turn with about 1/2 mile left to go, I looked up and saw a girl above me. Well at this point, there was no way I was getting passed to I picked it up. They ended us with the same 400 yard run in soft sand. Soft sand, are you kidding me....grrr.....
Time for the 5k 25mins

Short of doping, there is not one thing more that I could have done to get ready, so thanks to all of you for your advice and support. I was praying for a 2:15 min finish, there was never a thought that I would be near the two hour mark.

So, newbies...listen up to this part. Everything I did in training worked. Practice transitions, even if you have to do it in your yard. Find out about the course ahead of time if you can. Pre-ride even better. LISTEN to the experts here, they really know what they are talking about.

My next race is on June 24th. Xterra number two. Already registered. Longer swim but a tiny bit, longer run, so I will need to keep working on that. I do not think the bike will be as bad on this next one, so maybe my quads will be better.

Oh and KSH, I do not look happy in the hardware picture becuase they took 2 hours to give the awards. The kept stopping and goofing around. It was hot, they did not have any real food, we had a long drive home, I had a bad headache..yadda, yadda, I just wanted to chill at that point. So I was like..OK..take the picture, get 'er done!

**crazycanuck** · 05-21-2007, 03:12 AM

Hey RNRG..

Great race report & I could see the course in my head as I joined ya on your journey.

Are you doing a whole Xterra series? I may have missed something along the way in your training posts...I only know of the X-terra event in NZ & wasn't aware there's a series of races in the US..(Aust has the Anaconda & the caffinated adventure races)

Was the course muddy or just rocky? What's the terrain like where you are? Other than being uphill

I look forward to hearing all the stories about training for your next race!

Take care

C

**lph** · 05-21-2007, 03:43 AM

Way cool! I can't imagine ever wanting to do anything of the sort, but it's a blast to read about. I feel kind of cool by association as in I may not actually DO triathlons, but I "know" people who do, and I can sort of kind of imagine what it's like

Great story - and congratulations on a BIG first!

**Tri Girl** · 05-21-2007, 04:10 AM

Thanks for the great race report! You did an amazing job- so very excited for you (and I know you've got to be beaming with pride).

Sounds like a brutal course, but you conquered it like a champ!!! Way to go!!! Congrats again on your wins in OA and AG!

I had to laugh at the image you presented of you trying to get in your jersey after the swim. Nothing goes on OR off while wet- just not enough curse words or time to make it happen.

**KSH** · 05-21-2007, 06:57 AM

Ha- yea, trying to put on clothing while you are wet... never works out too well. When I have done it, it was miserable, but I refused to be cold racing, so I struggled through.

So... people were walking their bikes up some hills... and you were RIDING your bike? That totally ROCKS! I know I love when that happens!

The run sounds great too!

Thanks for the detailed race report! You totally rocked it! Be proud!

Oh and KSH, I do not look happy in the hardware picture becuase they took 2 hours to give the awards. The kept stopping and goofing around. It was hot, they did not have any real food, we had a long drive home, I had a bad headache..yadda, yadda, I just wanted to chill at that point. So I was like..OK..take the picture, get 'er done!

HA! HA! HA! Too funny. Well, at least you got some hardware!

**MINIskirt** · 05-21-2007, 07:10 AM

Great job!!!

**Over50Newbie** · 05-21-2007, 08:23 AM

Great race report.

So, newbies...listen up to this part. Everything I did in training worked. Practice transitions, even if you have to do it in your yard. Find out about the course ahead of time if you can. Pre-ride even better. LISTEN to the experts here, they really know what they are talking about.

As a newbie, I will definitely take this to heart.

Congratulations, again.

Lynette

**yellow** · 05-21-2007, 10:21 AM

Great report. We all knew you'd kick some hiney!

I am thoroughly impressed.

Looks like the weather wasn't too horribly awful from the photos, esp for the running finish. But is that pavement you are running on????

**HappyAnika** · 05-21-2007, 10:25 AM

Congratulations on an awesome race! I'm so happy all your hard work paid off. 1st in AG! Wow, you rock

Thanks for the report and advice. Reading other's reports is so motivating.

**Wahine** · 05-21-2007, 12:36 PM

Yiiiiiiippppppppeeeeeeee. Makes me almost want to do an XTerra. Note the word almost.

I drive an XTerra, does that count?

Congratulations RnR. Are your legs too tired to do a happy dance with me today??

**rocknrollgirl** · 05-21-2007, 02:58 PM

Thanks Yoda, I used every little bit of advice you and the other experienced girls gave me.

training is very important, but practice is golden......

**Cindyloo** · 05-21-2007, 06:13 PM

Congrats and good luck on the next one!

**wurkit_gurl** · 05-21-2007, 06:41 PM

Thanks for the advice! This newbie will definitely take it to heart. Fortunately, the race I want to do has a "beginner/novice" clinic a week or so beforehand, where we get to swim in open water and ride and run the bike/5k trails. Definitely signing up for that, even if it means driving down to Luray at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning.

Thread: OK...The Gory Details..The Real Race Report

Thread Tools

Display

OK...The Gory Details..The Real Race Report

Cool

Thanks

Posting Permissions