Swim
Comments: I was really worried about the swim, but it ended up being perfect. The water was perfect and really there were no waves to speak of. It was definitely way better than lake Grapevine a week ago. My arms felt good. My main problem was sighting (or maybe it was partly the problem of the current I've been hearing about). Several times I found myself far away, swimming almost perpendicularly to everyone. Even times when I was looking up regularly I would do it. I don't think normally I pull that much to one side, but man I think I might have swam an extra 100 meters or so, just trying to get back on track with everyone. What would you do differently?: Sighting, sighting, and more sighting! Transition 1
Comments: Walked up a ramp out of the water, they had some Astroturf layed out for us to walk on, although some of it was muddy from the previous day. I stripped the suit down to my waist, walked through the little shower they had, let the wet suit strippers have at me, and jogged to transition area. The wet suit strippers were nice to have. What would you do differently?: Not too much, I wanted to make sure I had everything and was dry. I think I may work on getting onto my bike faster. Bike
Comments: Man, what a head wind! I felt so ineffective heading out. I kept praying for the turn around to be soon. I had a little bit of a headache, which I think was caused by a little bit of water in my ear - once I felt the water level out the headache went away. I can't corner to save my life either. I managed to eat half a peanut butter sandwich on the way out, take my electrolyte tablets, drink a full bottle of propel, and eat a few fig newtons, pretty good since I am afraid of letting go of the handle bars ;-). Once I turned around so that I had a tailwind the ride was FREAKIN AWESOME!!!! I felt so much stronger and really picked up some speed on the way back. What would you do differently?: Practice more in the wind and/or with hills. Work on my turns. Put on anti-chaffing agent for saddle sores - ouchie!!! Transition 2
Comments: I'm so clumsy getting off the bike, other than that it was fine. I did have to take a potty break though. What would you do differently?: Work on speedier dismount, other than that, if I need a potty break, I'm gonna take it. Run
Comments: I felt pretty slow for about the first mile or so, but settled into a nice pace after. I stopped at every aid station and alternated between Gatorade and water. Had two gu's and took 2 more electrolyte capsules. The run was really nice and mostly on sidewalks and roads, although there was a little stretch where we had to run through the grass (which ended up being marshy with all the rain the previous day). The grass was really uneven and I was kind of worried I would twist something, but I managed to stay upright. With two miles left my knee started hurting a little, I think because my shoes aren't quite right for me, but I powered through it. The last mile rocked though, I picked it up and managed to squeak by a few people. As fun as it was I was so happy to be done. What would you do differently?: Wear the right shoes. Work on the middle portion of my run to get to where I can run it as strongly as the last part. Post race
Warm down: Drank the bottle of water handed to us at the finish line (did I mention how awesome all the goodies they had for us were - Thanks Keith!) Watched several other TNTers finish their races. Had a banana, orange, peanut butter crackers, and a little bit of pizza. Stretched a little, but it wouldn't have hurt to stretch a little more. What limited your ability to perform faster: Sighting during the swim was the most obvious one, but as mentioned above, I've got a lot of things to work on Event comments: Not to shabby for my first tri longer than a sprint distance. Crossing that finish line was one of the best feelings I have ever had, especially having some of my closest friends there cheering me on. - Did I mention they made shirts to cheer me on - I'll have to post a picture! I had a fabulous time! I loved training with TNT for this event. And I couldn't have asked for a better race. Thanks to all the people that helped with the race to make it a day I will always remember. I have two picture galleries here - http://www.irishtexan.net/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=33038 and here - http://chach-house.net/gallery/main.php/v/Mrs_+Tberry/Special-Event... Here are a few previews though - Last updated: 2006-09-26 12:00 AM
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United States
EndorFUN SPORTS
75F / 24C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 421/499
Age Group = 25-29F
Age Group Rank = 20/28
Woke up at 5 and met other TNTers in the lobby. Annita was kind enough to join me in the early a.m. Got to transition about 5:45, got marked and set up my area. Ate a banana, a bagel with honey and peanut butter, and drank a bottle of water. Walked around the race location checking everything out.
Did some stretching and there was a little bit of a swim to the actual place we started off.