An update and race report

[btchance]

So I have been absent on the forum for awhile due to school/work stuff. I went on an away rotation which was basically an extended interview for ob/gyn residency. Loved the place, but was working close to 80hrs/wk/4wks plus time outside for presentations. Now that I'm back I've been studying my a** off for my licensing exam. So needless to say, I have done very little training for the past 6 weeks. As some of you knew from before, I had to cancel my A race (an Olympic) because of this and can't do my back-up Oly in September due to rotations. So I went ahead and registered for a little sprint tri that was yesterday just for fun. It's pretty much in my back yard, was only $13, and I got to see friends and get rid of pent up frustration from studying and stress, so why not.

Just so you know my prep, over the past 6 weeks I have biked a grand total of 60miles, ran about 12, and swam 600yards. So I was completely relying on my base training from earlier this year, and it paid off. The race is a reverse tri with a 5K cross country he!! run, 6mi technical turny bike, and 400m pool swim. last year my times were 36:00, 22:01, and 10:50 for an overall of 1:11:43. This year, with hotter more humid conditions, my times were 35:20, 21:48, 11:17, for an overall of 1:11:24. So an overall improvement (by a slight amount), and only a slight decrease in the swim. So I definately can't complain.

The run was first on a cross country course. Started out in heats of 100 every 7 minutes. Starts out with a gradual but pretty constant up hill path with some steeper grades. Trail was dirt with some rocks and roots, but not too bad. Lots of shade from the trees. The grass was still wet and made for a very wet and slippery steep hill in the middle on the golf course. I worked on keeping a constant pace, but went out a little quicker than I had planned.
I walked down and up the big hill on the golf course (better than sliding down on my butt, the likely consequence of running down, and better than hitting my max HR, the consequence of running up). I had a little abdominal cramping issues (not suprising since I'm due to start) but was able to work through it. Kept a decent but slow running pace most of the time with little changes in speed overall. My overall placing here was 126.

T1 went really well. I passed a number of people who came in just before me. It was efficient, in and out with no problems.

For the bike, it started out on a main road, through a neighborhood with numerous sharp turns having to dodge man-hole covers at same time, then back out on main roads. A few small inclines, but nothing I would call a hill. More like false flats. Course was relatively crowded with many inexperienced cyclists. Had trouble getting around people riding in the center of the road that was blocked off for us and were obviously inexperienced so I didn't want to get too close. Overall, I started out strong but faded towards the end. Didn't have good power on the false flats. Placed 50 overall averaging 16.5mph.

T2 - went well; they had somebody helping to put the bikes on the racks. Got mine up before he got to me, but lost time when I had to go back because I forgot to take my sunglasses off.

The swim was last, jumping in the pool which was 50m lanes for the 400m. It was pretty crowded and I got stuck behind a number of people, some who I caught, some who sprinted past and couldn't maintain there speed. Got to draft a lot, but not very important here since it was the last portion of the race. When I was free of other people, I worked on maintaining an easy, strong rhythm with good form. I think my time would have been closer to last years if I hadn't been stuck behind people. Got in some good contact swim practice though (mainly with the breast stroke kick right by the face).

Overall the race went well. Saw friends, got rid of a few frustrations before returning to the torture area (my desk) for about 8hrs of studying afterwards. After my boards Saturday, I have four more weeks of 90hrs/wk working, then my life will settle down a bit and I can get into training mode for my 1/2 marathon in November. Needless to say I will be disappearing for a while, but I will return when I get done and have some time to myself.

[roadie gal]

Good job. You did great considering how little training you had and those long weeks take a HUGE toll!

Good luck on your boards. There is life after med school and residency. (After 25 years I only twitch a little when someone mentions being on call. <g>)

[Deborajen]

Congratulations! It always feels good to finish an event. It's even better to improve over last time, but to do better when you didn't feel as well prepared and the conditions weren't as good - that's awesome.

I haven't been on the forums much lately either due to being busy with other stuff, but my training has been up and down, too. I ended up running on an indoor track last week due to the heat. Didn't seem like a bad idea at the time but I guess all the turning took it's toll and my knee has been swollen and painful since the day after. So my workouts are cut back - no running since.

Good job. Sounds like it was fun - and a good stress breaker.

Deb

[Starfish]

Wow, way to go. Very inspiring that you have been able to do your intense career stuff and still have a life for fitness. Thanks for sharing this!

[silver]

That sounds like lots of fun! Wow, you've been busy. So glad that you were able to do the tri in spite of all the work and stress.

Thanks for sharing!!!

[Tri Girl]

OK- first I have to say a big "thanks" for even going through med school (I can't imagine how anyone could love something so much to go through such agony to get to do it for the remainder of their career- you have my utmost respect for that).
Second- WOW- congrats on a great race yesterday!!! Not only did you beat your time from yesterday, you did it on very little training. Obviously you have an amazing base or it would've been much harder on you. Nice going!

Take care of yourself the next month or so, and check back in with us and let us know how you're doing. We miss you around here. Be good to yourself!!!

[HappyAnika]

Congrats on a strong race despite not much training for the weeks prior. I didn't know you were a med student! I'm so impressed you've been able to train at all. My best friend just started her residency, so I've heard first hand about the crazy hours and sleep deprivation. Good luck on boards!

[Wahine]

BTC!!!

It's so nice to see you.

I'm glad you had a good race. Especially after all you've been through in the last while.

Take care of yourself and pop in to say "Hi" when you can. We miss you.

[btchance]

Thanks ladies! I'm still popping in here every once in a while to see what every body is up to,just not writing. I'm taking my board exam Saturday then going to another location for four weeks, then back to normal life again (for a couple of months). The good things is that these 4 weeks are with my friends that introduced me to tris, and they're making plans to get in one group thing a week, just have to figure it out around my 90hr weeks.

From reading everybody's posts, it sounds like you are all doing great! I enjoy reading the posts and seeing how everyone is doing. Good luck to everybody racing this weekend!!

Oh, and roadie gal - glad to hear that the twitching goes away for the most part Tri Girl - sometimes I wonder what the heck I'm doing this for, except that I love it and can't imgine doing anything else. Deborajen - take care of yourself, I'm sure you'll be doing better and back out running in no time.