Columbia Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

First of all, the water was much colder than I expected. I have struggled with OWS in all my races just due to all the people around me. I positioned myself all the way in the back of the pack. When the "GO" went off, I waited about 5-10 secs. Then I started "my swim" Repeated my mantras in my head and felt great. Before we reached the first buoy I was up in the middle of the pack. I held my own - even bumping and swimming over others. As we neared the turn, I got kicked in the face for the first time. Knocked my googles pretty hard and I had to pull up to adjust. Panicked a little and started to feel like all the other OWS. Cleared my mind and moved to the outside of the group to avoid the crowd and went back to my mantras and some of the tips Tommy and Dan had given over the last months. Before I knew it I was back up in the middle of the pack and along with the faster swimmers of the wave behind us. Held my own and took into the finish. Got kicked on more time in the face nearing the finish. On the swim exit, one of the athletes in our swim wave toppled over and stepped right on my foot. Heard/felt my big toe pop. Hurt like crazy coming out of the water onto the grass. Not good.

I'm so happy with this swim. My first race being under the 2:00/100yds mark. I didn't lose my head and I actually executed a plan rather than just trying to survive. AWESOME! Keep on working those OWS with lots of people around me!!!

I think this was the most clear headed I've been on a transition after the swim. Hurt like h%ll trying to get my cycling shoes on with my toe.

Gotta learn how to transition with my shoes already on the bike!!!

Right off the bat, I had more negative thoughts going through my head than ever before. I struggled with negative thoughts and hills more than anything. "I suck at this. I'm incredibly slow. Why am I doing this? A year of training and this (climbing hills) still hurts like h3ll!! My foot is killing me and there's no way I'm gonna be able to do the run." Then the rain started and I rounded the back loop to come upon the accident scene. I had to totally stop, unclip and wait while the 2nd ambulance came in and the helicopter started hovering overhead. I was scared to death for the gentleman on the ground and for the rest of us competing on the course. Not good. Carried on the rest of the way through the race and actually passed several girls on the last stretch back to the park. Still seriously thinking about a DNF Did Not Finish).

TRAIN MORE HILLS!!! I think training on those edges and into the discomfort zone would be good for me. I've GOT to get better at this.

Freakin felt like I was moving in S L O W M O T I O N. Grabbed some sport beans, again struggled to get my shoes on because of my toe. Finally took off to the run start thinking I'd just see if I could make it up the first hill. (Quitting is just against my nature)

Getting bike shoes on/off again and leaving them on the bike.

Starting the run, I made a deal with myself. Just make it to the top of the first hill. Then you can turn back, quit and say you tried. Got to the top of the first hill and I pictured Turtle there yelling at me "My grandmother's faster than you!!" Ok, I can make it to the back side of the lake and then I can quit. Two girls passed me at this point. Yep, back of the lake. Well, I reached the back of the lake and there was no way I was quitting! :) I reached the 2 mile mark logging better than 11:30 pace. Deflating! But I wasn't quitting, damn it! The "DOLLY's group" at the top of Gatorade hill were a highlight of the run. OMG, they were hilarious. I thought on of the double D bossomed drag guys was actually gonna kiss me. I ran a little faster. I kept picking up my pace the entire way through the neighborhood and back into the park. My quads and calves were cramping on all the hills. New experience for me. I only had one girl that passed me earlier on to catch up with and pass back. As we came back onto the trails in the park, I saw her. I passed her and left her in the dust. Only 2 guys passed me on the entire run. :) Nearing the finish, there was one guy ahead of me and a spectator said "If you're gonna sprint, now's the time!" No idea where this came from but I sprinted my heart out, left the guy in the dust and soared across the finish line all by myself. The announcer was completely awesome in his comments on my finish and I will carry those words with me for a very long time. :)

Not get stepped on prior. :)

Felt like I was going to hurl, so I walked around a bit and tried to find something salty to eat or drink to help with the cramps in my legs. Giovanna was waiting for me (yes, she finished way ahead of me and she rocks!!) and helped me find some gatorade. Better!


Lack of hill training and having an injured toe/foot for the run was really my downfalls for today.


Despite the awesome run finish, my initial thoughts on this race were very negative on my performance. Now, in retrospect and seeing my times, this race was a victory for me in a lot of ways. My best swim ever in a race. 15mph avg on the bike on a very hilly course with a complete stop/pause for the accident. Awesome negative split on the run with a very painful foot. I gained a lot of race wisdom on this race and the feeling of accomplishment knowing that I didn't quit is pretty doggone awesome. This was the toughest course I've done yet and I'm already looking forward to next year. I know I can do better!