Optimist Triathlon - Triathlon

I didn't wear a watch for the first time racing. After seeing my swim time at my last race and being disappointed, I just didn't want to know. Glad I didn't, as this ranked as my 3rd worst swim time in the 7 years I've done this race - a whole minute slower than last year. I FELT like I had a good rhythm going and drafted for a short while. At the turn I hit a person in distress and breathed in water so had to stop and cough it out. The pontoon people were there to care for him so I went on.

When I asked my Asphalt Junkie mentor, Dirk, how to swim faster he said I need to get in the water more. OK. That's what I need to do if I care to.

Helmet had been knocked off my bike from a rack-mate and the visor had popped both side rivets. I spent valuable time trying to pop them back on and only succeeded in getting one side before I said forget it and took off.

Not put my helmet on my bike as it sits pretty precariously. Also, should've just ripped the visor off and either ridden without eye protection or threw on my sunglasses which were sitting right there for the run.

I hammered as much as I could. So wanted to do this below 40 minutes but had nothing more to give. Never got passed except close to dismount when I was loosening shoes. Passed both riders back at the dismount line.

Nada

Helmet got stuck on ear otherwise uneventful.

Practice getting helmet off quickly.

Exact same time as I ran it last year to the second. If nothing else, I'm consistent. Was passed by Beth, the 1st AGer at about mile 1.5. Tried to keep up for about a 1/4 mile but knew I couldn't maintain and had to run my own race. Yelled "I love you guys" to Lisa and Dirk when I saw them on Chestnut hill.

Run faster

Chatted and chatted some more. Found my daughter who was finished volunteering on the run course and ate some food while waiting awards. Clapped a lot for Dirk as he won his AG and was 1 of the top 3 Indiana males. Impressive showing by him. Was surprised to find out that two women in my AG who'd signed up and would've taken the top two podium spots didn't show for the race so that left me in 2nd instead of 4th. Whoop-di-do. Lost 1st place by 42 seconds and 3rd place came in 52 seconds behind me. Some good competition for the old ladies age group! :)


Just me, myself and I


Can't beat this race for the close proximity to my house (4 miles) and the post-race food is second to none. They've done weird things during awards in the last couple years. Last year they awarded only 2 places in some women's AGs but 3 in all the men's (not cool in my book and they heard strong feedback on that). This year, the overall winners were also winners in their AG so they got two of the same plaques. That was just plain strange. I'll continue to do this race because it's so fun to see all the people I know.