Mountain Lakes Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I specifically bought some dark tented goggles for this race, and they were well worth the money. I usually get blinded by the sun in this race. I could see great the whole time this time. The rocks in and out of the water were brutal as usual but no cuts. I swam hard the whole way, the only small issues were rounding the buoy too sharply but only for a few seconds (because I expected it to be pretty much straight out and back and didn't see the other buoy that was sort of made the turn flat instead of sharp) and the fact that I seem to suck and drafting. I have trouble finding someone to draft off of for some reason. But definitely a good swim overall. :)

If I had raced AG: 7/14

Nothing.

This transition was a bit slower than the past 2 years. I had to be careful with the frozen wart hand. I definitely didn't flying mount or even stepping mount. Put the shoes on in transition.

Athena: 9/26
Overall: 110/252
If I had raced AG: 4/14

Nothing... practice I guess.

I started off well until about mile 3. A guy got close to me as a yellow hazard (painted on the ground) was coming up on the right. I had to veer back to the right quickly. My wheel skipped on the bumps then skipped right off the road which had a steep edge. Then my bike (and I) slid across the road with my shoulder taking the brunt of the sliding. It was a very surreal experience. I felt like it wasn't really happening to me or maybe like I was dreaming. I could see me and the bike sliding and my shoulder on the ground. It was kinda like I was stationary and the road was sliding past me. When I came to a stop (it felt like forever, but it was probably only a matter of seconds), I was scared and shaking. The adrenaline rush probably accounts for the shaking. Then the pain came, and I start to groan and even scream a bit. I think the screaming bit was caused partly by how freaked out I was. I was kind of afraid to move or anything. I sat up, but didn't get up. Several people flying by on their bikes asked if I was okay. I think I say "yes" or "I think so" but that was just from habit. Finally (really only like a minute after I went down), a very nice guy stopped, threw down his bike, and said straight to my face, "Are you okay?" I said "No.. I don't know.. I'm not sure." He said, "Does your chest hurt? Does your head hurt?" I replied, "No." "Can you move your arms and legs?" "Yes." This gave me enough confidence and rationality to realize that I was not seriously injured. I told the man thank you so much for stopping, I'm not seriously injured, you can go on. So he did. Then the motorcycle race official stopped and asked if I needed help. I told him I wasn't sure, could he just give me a minute. He said he couldn't stay there but he would go just a bit up the road (against the flow of the tri) and wait a few minutes for me there. So I shakily stood up. Most of my number was missing from my left shoulder and my elbow and knee were bleeding. Should I continue or not? I looked at my bike. One of the handlebars was bent in, but still functional. So I made the decision to go on. I cautiously got back on the bike only to realize that my chain had been knocked loose. I got back off, fixed the chain, and got back on.

I couldn't stay in the standard position because my hand had been torn up, but aero hurt too because my elbow had been torn up. So I stayed in aero for the most part and just sucked it up. I felt like I was pushing hard, but I was getting passed by everyone. It was pretty demoralizing just getting continually passed. But I told myself, it's not about time any more, it's just about finishing. Then I had to force myself to remember regular things about racing like nutrition. I didn't really feel like eating, but I knew that healthy or banged up, I needed energy. So I took the GU and drank. I used a good portion of my water rinsing out the wounds. I finally made it back to transition. I passed my family on the way in. They were looking rather concerned because I had taken way too long on the course. I made no attempt at any kind of fancy dismount, just got off the bike with my shoes, and walked slowly to my rack.

If I had raced AG: 10/14

Haha, not wreck!!

I walked to my rack, and took a moment to asses my injuries. I again rinsed out the wounds, and thought, is it wise to go on? The question came down to "is finishing the race going to make my injuries worse or will it just be more uncomfortable than usual?" I finally (really within seconds) decided on the latter. I changed shoes and did the usual transition stuff. Then walked toward the run exit as I put on my sweat band and race belt (I usually run). I saw my mom and husband looking at me with concern and confusion. (I never take so long in transition.) Then I started running.

Athena: 16/26
Overall: 188/252
If I had raced AG: 10/14

Fortunately this run is fairly well shaded and not too challenging if you aren't trying to attack it and set a PR. I just ran at a normal pace and walked the water stations. I used the time to drink, toss water over my head and my wounds because they stung when they got too dry. The course even had wet rags at one station. That was nice. When I saw a guy taking pics, I posed by showing off my elbow. Haha. I made it back to the finish area and didn't even pick up my pace at the end, just crossed the finish line. Sigh of relief.

If I had raced AG: 6/14

I did the best I could with the circumstances given.

When I crossed the finish line, the girl who took my ankle chip said, "oh you're bleeding. There's the med tent" as calmly as if she were discussing the weather. It kind of annoyed me considering how big of a deal this felt like to me. I walked over to my family. They were a rush of "what happened?? oh my gosh are you okay??" ect. I told them what had happened and then went to the med tent. They doused my wounds with hydrogen peroxide, which I find to be pretty painful even though everyone else in the world says it doesn't sting. They bandaged up the parts that were small enough, but left the shoulder and back open since it was so large. I knew I hadn't even come close to placing so we just gathered up my stuff and left.


I think that's pretty obvious... :P


I'm proud of myself for finishing, but it was still a disappointment. After my mission trip to Peru, I was hoping to get a few solid weeks of training under me so that I could feel like I was still on track for the HIM in Oct. Now I'm not so sure that I'm going to make it.