Columbia MD Iron Girl tri

[HillSlugger]

If the swim was really about 200m too long then my swim was a respectable 2:19/100 and I freestyled the whole thing except for when I had to catch my cap so that was good. Still, with all the time I've put in on improving my swimming I would have hoped to do better than 40/56 relay and 910/1730 overall. Tough field!

[pfunk12]

Congratulations to all of you! Great photos and great race reports!

[sfa]

Pictures, finally! My sister showed up early to take pictures but since this was also HER first triathlon (as a spectator/photographer or anything) she had difficulties catching photos since she couldn't anticipate where I'd be.

At the start, looking nervous (believe me, that's my nervous smile):


And after the swim, looking much happier while trying not to fall on my butt on the slippery grass.


The one photo she got of me on the bike was so unflattering that there's no way I'm posting it. If you want to see that, you'll have to check out the professional photo: http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_p...=72045370&PWD=

And finally, at the end with my husband and kids (who clearly are big fans of tie dye):

[HillSlugger]

Sarah,

You look great! Nice family, too.

Congrats

[spindizzy]

Congratulations team! You all look fantastically, positively beaming! I too, love the colours of your team kit!

[Tri Girl]

Wow- congrats! Love the pictures for sure!!! Funny about the bike picture- but the professional one is really flattering and nicely shot.
Way to go!!!!

[Wahine]

What a fun race report thread. All of you ladies look fantastic and did really well. I am also really impressed with the matching team outfit. Super cute.

[Possegal]

OK, since you ladies did this as a relay, I need to ask some questions. I'm doing one as a relay on the 13th. Never done one before in my life, never even watched one other than on TV. Anything I need to know before hand? The guy who is doing the swim for us is not someone I know and he asked me recently:
Also, not sure how relays work, do you want to practice whatever transition/handoff we have to do before the race?
Is that something we should actually worry about practicing? What all is involved? Of course for us the first issue would be finding each other, since we've never met. I recommended him meeting up with me the day before when I have to rack my bike. Is this sufficient? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

And thanks so much MDHillSlug - your post on the tri board netted me 4 emails of people interested in joining my team. I took the first response once I knew I could change from a female relay to a co-ed one, as he was not interested in swimming in drag.

[HillSlugger]

OK, since you ladies did this as a relay, I need to ask some questions. I'm doing one as a relay on the 13th. Never done one before in my life, never even watched one other than on TV. Anything I need to know before hand? The guy who is doing the swim for us is not someone I know and he asked me recently:
Also, not sure how relays work, do you want to practice whatever transition/handoff we have to do before the race?
Is that something we should actually worry about practicing? What all is involved? Of course for us the first issue would be finding each other, since we've never met. I recommended him meeting up with me the day before when I have to rack my bike. Is this sufficient? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

And thanks so much MDHillSlug - your post on the tri board netted me 4 emails of people interested in joining my team. I took the first response once I knew I could change from a female relay to a co-ed one, as he was not interested in swimming in drag.

I hadn't met our runner until the day before at packet pickup and bike racking; we then all went out to lunch to get to know each other and to talk about the race. For the day of the race we met at the bike/rack. I recommend making the bike your focal point.

Since there didn't seem to be a restriction on how many team members were allowed in transition we did it that the runner made the chip transfer from swimmer to biker and the swimmer made the transfer from biker to runner. I don't know what others were doing but this worked well for us. I don't think it needs practicing but you gotta make sure that everyone states an anticipated range of time for their event so that the others have a clue for when they need to be at the rack.

Have fun!