Hillapalooza Triathlon RR

[Tri Girl]

Sooooo... I haven't raced in a year and didn't really want to because I'm having a racing body crisis (too much body for this former racer). I was more nervous about being in spandex again in my current shape than about racing.
I bit the bullet and signed up for a mini-sprint triathlon (400m swim, 11 mile bike, 2 mile run). I figured the distance wouldn't kill me since I haven't been run or swim training much.
It's called Hillapalooza for a reason. It was super hilly. I was not prepared for the hills, but my goal was to just finish and have a great time. I didn't worry about HR, pace, or time. My goal was to just have fun, high five as many people as possible, and encourage everyone around me. Goal accomplished.

Swim: OWS- standing start in water. For some reason, everyone was taking a long angle start to the first buoy, so I started on the inside and was one of the first to make it to the buoy. Swim was AWESOME. I caught a bunch of men in the wave in front of us and came out in about 8 min. Then we had to run across the beach and up a HUGE hill to make it to T1. That ate up about 2 more minutes. Run across beach and uphill included= Swim place: 29/89

Bike: WOW- hilly with a killer headwind (15-20 mph). It was an out and back. The out nearly killed me, the back was AWESOME! Thank goodness for tailwinds. I've got enough weight on me to be fast at descending, but I'm a terrible climber. Bike place: 40/89

Run: Well, not so much a run as a jog/walk. I walked and jogged equal amounts of time probably. I talked to almost every competitor, giving words of encouragement. I petted some dogs, played with a baby, and just had a blast. I had no expectations on the run. It was uphill on the way out, and downhill on the way back. I had fun! My time- terrible. I'm ok with that. Run place: 80/89 (oops- I should have actually run a little more). Even when I'm in good running shape, I'm always at the bottom third of the runners, so I've just accepted that running isn't my gig and just make it through how I can.

Overall, I'm so glad I got out there and raced! I forgot how much I love it. And even tho I'm not in great racing shape anymore- I can get that way again. I'm on the right track.
No pictures since hubby was doing the Olympic race at the same time. When the professional pics are up, I'll post them (if they don't creep me out too much).

Thanks for reading.

[salsabike]

Oh, that sounds wild and wonderful. Great swim, really challenging ride, and you smooched animals and babies on the run! What more is there for a good life, I ask you?

Really, TriGirl. That sounds like it was a blast. And I'm glad you got through the "Oog, do I really have to get back in spandex?" thing.

[Veronica]

It's all about having fun. Glad you enjoyed it.


Veronica

[colby]

Hey, that's an awesome experience for how you felt going in, and I'm sure you passed people who looked stealthy in spandex swimming and riding... most of them always pass me back on the run, too

Great work TG, good to see you back

[tribogota]

I love your run philosophy. That is mine too, encourage everyone, even those passing me, say hi to everyone, chit chat with those who are running.
My coach hates it, always yells at me to CONCENTRATE, says he is sure I will be faster...hahahaha
oh well

[Alex]

Great report! I love that you were petting dogs and visiting during the run!

Alex

[spindizzy]

I walked and jogged equal amounts of time probably. I talked to almost every competitor, giving words of encouragement. I petted some dogs, played with a baby, and just had a blast.

Wow Tri girl- you certainly know how to have fun! congrats on getting back into it!

[Tri Girl]

Here are a couple pictures:

coming out of the swim:
http://jarandell.smugmug.com/keyword...327_Xq6MQ-L-LB
I guess I was blinded by the light. I'm in pink.


On the bike:
http://jarandell.smugmug.com/keyword...489_W7Jof-M-LB


On the run (I'm embarrassed by this pic because I'm much heavier than I'm used to being, but oh well...)
http://jarandell.smugmug.com/keyword...334_VJmUE-L-LB

[colby]

Love the pictures. Good to see smiles out there Keens on a tri bike... sublime.

[Shiraz]

Tri Girl,
Thanks for sharing. I am so impressed by your swim time and your attitude! You make me smile.

[Tri Girl]

Keens on a tri bike... sublime.

Good eye.
That's how I reminded myself not to take myself or the race too seriously. The fancy-shmancy carbon tri shoes got left at home. It sure made running all the way through transition with my bike a lot easier, too.

[Alex]

Thanks for posting the pics. It looks like you were having a grand time!

I'm glad Colby identified the Keens, because I kept looking at them and wondering what ARE those? Too bad you can't do the run in them, too!

Alex

[txred9876]

Sooooo... I haven't raced in a year and didn't really want to because I'm having a racing body crisis (too much body for this former racer). I was more nervous about being in spandex again in my current shape than about racing.
I bit the bullet and signed up for a mini-sprint triathlon (400m swim, 11 mile bike, 2 mile run). I figured the distance wouldn't kill me since I haven't been run or swim training much.
It's called Hillapalooza for a reason. It was super hilly. I was not prepared for the hills, but my goal was to just finish and have a great time. I didn't worry about HR, pace, or time. My goal was to just have fun, high five as many people as possible, and encourage everyone around me. Goal accomplished.

Swim: OWS- standing start in water. For some reason, everyone was taking a long angle start to the first buoy, so I started on the inside and was one of the first to make it to the buoy. Swim was AWESOME. I caught a bunch of men in the wave in front of us and came out in about 8 min. Then we had to run across the beach and up a HUGE hill to make it to T1. That ate up about 2 more minutes. Run across beach and uphill included= Swim place: 29/89

Bike: WOW- hilly with a killer headwind (15-20 mph). It was an out and back. The out nearly killed me, the back was AWESOME! Thank goodness for tailwinds. I've got enough weight on me to be fast at descending, but I'm a terrible climber. Bike place: 40/89

Run: Well, not so much a run as a jog/walk. I walked and jogged equal amounts of time probably. I talked to almost every competitor, giving words of encouragement. I petted some dogs, played with a baby, and just had a blast. I had no expectations on the run. It was uphill on the way out, and downhill on the way back. I had fun! My time- terrible. I'm ok with that. Run place: 80/89 (oops- I should have actually run a little more). Even when I'm in good running shape, I'm always at the bottom third of the runners, so I've just accepted that running isn't my gig and just make it through how I can.

Overall, I'm so glad I got out there and raced! I forgot how much I love it. And even tho I'm not in great racing shape anymore- I can get that way again. I'm on the right track.
No pictures since hubby was doing the Olympic race at the same time. When the professional pics are up, I'll post them (if they don't creep me out too much).

Thanks for reading.

oK..... I sure dont look PRETTY in spandex without my prostetic boobs....but I get out there! Anyone can.....I am glad you did. One should just care that they finished and had a good time..... my last one I finished 10 from the bottom....but improved myself....its all mind set.

Tina

[sfa]

Good eye.
That's how I reminded myself not to take myself or the race too seriously. The fancy-shmancy carbon tri shoes got left at home. It sure made running all the way through transition with my bike a lot easier, too.

I'm wearing Keens in my first tri. Of course, what I'm riding is my commuter bike with the fenders, bell and rack removed, so the Keens kinda go with the whole set-up!

I think you look great in the pictures, and it sounds like you had a lot of fun--thanks for posting your report!

Sarah