Second sprint triathlon of the season: Blue Lake Park All Women’s, August 1

[salsabike]

This race was at Blue Lake Park in Fairview, Oregon, about a 4-hour drive away. The day after Chris did RAMROD—what a good guy!---we got up and drove down to Portland (Friday July 31), picked up the race packet, drove on to our hotel at Troutdale by around 3-4 pm. That gave us plenty of time to then drive over to the park to see the race site. I went in for a brief swim and it was WARM, like bathtub warm---temperatures in this area hit about 107 the week before. I started seriously wondering what it would be like to swim in a wetsuit in that water temperature (since it was around 95 degrees at that point in the afternoon, I wasn’t about to try to put that wetsuit on for a brief, “getting to know you, Blue Lake” swim). After the swim, I rode part of the run course on my bike, and we drove part of the bike course—all pretty flat. Back to the hotel, dinner, sleep.

Got up the next morning at 5 am and I immediately said, “Oooh...I don’t think I want any breakfast.” I could tell my stomach was feeling like it had had as much as it could handle the night before (buttermilk pancakes for dinner. No problem. But....um....also Animal Crackers when I woke up in the middle of the night. That was sort of a mistake. I didn’t have MANY but apparently it was more animal companionship than my stomach wished to have). So what my stomach did have for breakfast was...Imodium. Good thing it was only a sprint triathlon since I would guess Imodium would be bad policy for a longer race where nutrition intake and processing matter.

So, what with the extra time we’d left for breakfast, we just went on to the race site—got to transition around 6:30 am (race start 8 am). Arriving at transition, apparently thinking deep thoughts, in my red shirt:



This is my fourth sprint tri and somehow all that early time goes really, really fast. Was all set up in transition but still pulling up the sleeves of my wetsuit when they chased us all down to the lake. It was an in-water start, and my wave went at around 8:10. I was a little less scared of the swim start than I’ve been previously, so while I still started to the back, I wasn’t quite as obsessed with being at the very back and farthest to the left. I pondered it but then thought, I don’t think you’re the absolute weakest animal in the pack anymore, so let’s just go, okay? And I went. No problem. Only one or two feet/face encounters, and they didn’t last long. I just swam.

Here’s where I heard my spouse and my coach cheering me on before the start—you can just see my grinning little face all the way out, with the blue patch on the chest of the Quintana Roo wetsuit.



And here’s the swim start---with my blue QR arm sticking up, close to the leading edge of the picture:



And it was indeed REALLY, REALLY WARM in that water with a full-sleeve wetsuit. Did I mention it was, like, WARM?? Oof. I probably did not swim quite as hard as I might have otherwise, because I was a little afraid I would get really, unpleasantly hot in the middle of the swim. I was glad to get out so I could get that wetsuit off! It was a long walk/run in and out of transition. Pant, pant. Off on the bike.

The bike course was a total delight because it was absolutely flat and you could really work hard and go as fast as you can muster. It was just nothing but fun. I worked my butt off on the bike leg all the way, and had about a 16.8 mph average, which I was happy with (for this time).



But boy! By the time the run started, my heart rate was already up there and stayed up there. And, as usual, as a newbie runner since only last October, the run was hard for me. I never felt like I caught my breath. It was also pretty flat, but was starting to get warm and there wasn’t a lot of shade on the run course until the very end. That's me in the white cap.



The run distance was 3.28 miles, says my Garmin. And I went about 13:30 minutes per mile. So I don’t want to hear any more from you guys about who is the slowest runner on the planet---pretty sure I win that one! But believe it or not, for me this pace is progress---I was able to keep it pretty steady through the 3.28 miles. And I plan to just keep working on it. Trudge, trudge, trudge, trudge.

So as in the last triathlon (Five Mile Lake in June), I was in about the middle of the pack for the swim and bike, and away down for the run. Here are the times:

Swim: ½ mile, 19:15. I am pleased with it for this year (compared to last year’s swims at 24-25 minutes), although I know I can get faster. And I love swimming, so will be happy to work on it more. Overall place 200/387.

Bike: 12 miles, 43:10, 16.8 mph. Overall place 218/387.

Run: 3.28 miles, 44:43. Overall place 371/387. Gah. At least it wasn’t dead last.

Total time 1:56. Both transitions were a little over 4 minutes each, mostly because I was already working so hard on the various legs that I didn’t run through the transitions, just to give myself a little chance to catch my breath.

I placed 5 out of 8 in Athena, would have placed 17/21 in age group.

After the race, the three of us had lunch and then did a little waterfall touring in the Columbia Gorge. The system won't let me post more than five photos so I will add another post with a couple of waterfall pics.

The next day my coach raced in the Olympic, and Chris and I got to watch. That is the first time I’ve gotten to be a spectator rather than a participant, and it was REALLY fun! What a blast. It sure is nice to have a cheering section during a race, and it turns out it’s just as much fun to BE one, also.

I think I will do one more race in late September, just for fun. Then I will have a nice long winter to work on all this. It would be so nice to be able to run faster! You know, it’s interesting to do this as someone with fibromyalgia. So far, my shoulders and upper back are taking the increased swim work reasonably well. The bike is not a problem. The run, for me, includes a chronic, pretty painful right hip tendonitis. Before starting triathlon, I do not remember having much hip pain, but apparently it is not uncommon. Jocelynlf dug up this blog for me last summer after I’d posted here wondering if there were any other triathletes with fibromyalgia on TE, and got no return posts. This woman, a triathlete with fibromyalgia, also has considerable hip pain. And she just finished her first half Iron. You can see her blog and read her race report here: http://tribeyondlimits.blogspot.com/

I am looking forward to volunteering at Seattle Danskin this Sunday! Even if we DO have to get up earlier than the racers do to get there at our assigned time of....4:45 am. Note to self: Espresso. Bring much espresso.

[salsabike]

This is Latourell Falls, our favorite on the little waterfall tour. Check out the close-up with the different basalt formations. Really beautiful!

[KSH]

Looks like you had a great race! Congratulations!

I can't believe they let you wear a wetsuit. Here in Texas, if the water is warm, wetsuits are not legal.

Great job overall!

Yeah, at my last sprint, I never stopped breathing heavy the whole race. I was shocked I didn't get a side cramp from it.

[salsabike]

I can't believe they let you wear a wetsuit. Here in Texas, if the water is warm, wetsuits are not legal.

You know, I wondered about that too. But they had a sign saying the water temp was 75, which is still USAT-wetsuit legal (and it wasn't even a USAT-sanctioned race, so the organizers did not have to state a wetsuit temperature limit, and they didn't). It FELT incredibly warm to me and I think it would have been pleasanter and easier to have gone without. My coach texted HER coach asking about the advisability of wearing a wetsuit in her own race the next day, and the message back was "Wetsuit always." It did make me contemplate a sleeveless one for next year, though.

And thanks for the encouragement. It's nice to know that even the Ironman completers among us huff through sprints (albeit much faster).

[Tri Girl]

Great job, Salsa!!! I LOVED all your pictures, and think you look really strong in every pic. Congrats on a great race. Sorry about the overheating in the wetsuit. I'm glad it was only a sprint so you didn't have to be hot in your suit for too long. Congrats!

Oh, and I'll bet I can "beat" your slow run time this weekend when I race. I've only been running about once every other week (knee issues).

[colby]

I have the same "don't ever catch your breath" feeling during sprints, too. We all have at LEAST that in common. I have to tell myself to slow down to eat so I can at least put something in me on the bike - even if I'm only out for 90 minutes, that's too long to go with no food.

Nice improvement on your swim times, and that is a good solid bike time. Running the whole way consistently is a HUGE victory and just because you're slow doesn't make it any less sweet. It took me a couple of years before I'd even dream of running the whole thing consistently, slow or no - I would either go out too fast or feel too dead from the bike or am very affected by the heat/sun.

USAT is something like 78 for non-pros for wetsuits, which seems silly, but I don't think they separate sleeveless from full suits. I do think a sleeveless is really nice for those 70-75 degree swims (maybe colder, depending on your tolerance, like 65-75).

PS: The waterfall pics were stunning, too. Way cool.

[Shiraz]

Way to go Salsa ! You looked strong and happy! What an amazing place to be. Loved the pictures! You write great RR. Thanks for sharing. It helps me so much to read everyones reports. I learn so much and it helps to know that we are all feeling much of the same fears and concerns. Sorry that you are having hip pain. Don't worry about the run times sounds like you are strong!

[KSH]

You know, I wondered about that too. But they had a sign saying the water temp was 75, which is still USAT-wetsuit legal (and it wasn't even a USAT-sanctioned race, so the organizers did not have to state a wetsuit temperature limit, and they didn't). It FELT incredibly warm to me and I think it would have been pleasanter and easier to have gone without. My coach texted HER coach asking about the advisability of wearing a wetsuit in her own race the next day, and the message back was "Wetsuit always." It did make me contemplate a sleeveless one for next year, though.

And thanks for the encouragement. It's nice to know that even the Ironman completers among us huff through sprints (albeit much faster).

I WISH I had purchased a sleeveless wetsuit as my wetsuit. I am contemplating selling the current full wetsuit that I own. The sleeveless made the world of difference to me... aka: I didn't mind swimming in it.

Ah, not USAT sanctioned... got it. Some RD's are kinder than others when it comes to wetsuits. One of our local RD's is very strict about no wetsuits and makes sure the water is below 75 degrees if he is going to allow them. He's just like that.

HA! Trust me, long distance stuff is way different than shorter stuff. Gosh, my thighs were shaking before my last sprint! I've been racing for 5 years and I was nervous! And once I hit the water I was full speed and my HR NEVER went down the whole race. That's a sprint for ya!

[NbyNW]

What a great weekend for you, especially the improvement on the swim!

Congrats -- you worked hard for it!

[northstar]

Way to go!

Thank you for sharing the pictures...they are fantastic!

[txred9876]

way to go!!!

I love that part of Oregon (I grew up within miles of Blue Lake).

Tina

[salsabike]

Yeah, it's GORGEOUS there. Truly.

Thanks, all!

Boy, this is the month for triathlons, all right. Looking forward to hearing about this coming weekend's set of races from you all!

[Crankin]

Salsa, I am having the same thing in my right hip! So, is that where running hits people with FM? I actually stopped running and I am hating it... I started in January, very slowly, and was so proud of not having any injuries, issues that I have had in the past with running. I was at a nice 10:00 min/mile pace when it started and then my times started going up. Now it hurts when I ride.
Haven't been to the doctor, he will just yell at me for running, even though he is a cyclist, he still says, well, just ride 5 miles. Sure...

[Alex]

Great job! The pictures are fabulous!

Alex

[spindizzy]

The part about the wetsuit being too warm and hot makes me feel all claustrophobic and panicky. And I've never worn one, ...my greatest admiration goes out to you. I remember reading in one of the Triathlon magazines about one of the pros - I think it was Macca (Chris McCormack) in a race heading out on the swim and feeling way too hot..they had to pull him into the boat and they said there was literally steam coming rising off of him as they pulled off his wetsuit....

Nice race and fantastic photos!