![]() Swim
Comments: I was a little anxious before the start and had that queasy stomach feeling but it went away after I started. Swam well for me and was 1 second slower than last year. I'll take that as my swimming in general has been slower. Felt comfortable and was able to watch out better for others and not collide with other swimmers. I wasn't passed and didn't pass anyone so those around me were all seeded well. My swim estimate was 5:15 which probably was a little long...but 10 seconds. What would you do differently?: Keep working on technique on my swimming. ![]() Transition 1
Comments: Ran to my spot, passed 2-3 of my rack mates who started up to 60 seconds before me in T1, off I went. What would you do differently?: Luck of the draw what spot you get...wasn't as lucky this year. ![]() Bike
Comments: Bike: Where the course is flat 160-170 watts, but on those hills power 220-240+; with 0-150 on the down hill off the climb. Goal time sub 30 I felt really good riding and like passing folks but less so with a pool swim with everyone staggered. I couldn't even see my power meter numbers as my glasses were fogged up and wet with rain but in time I could see the numbers but really didn't race by them just glanced at them now and again. My HR was way up and I was breathing loud so I knew I was pushing hard. It was raining most the ride and varied how hard it was raining. I didn't recall this course had so many hills as it did...I recalled hills on the out and back but on the circle part it was hilly as well. The fastest downhill it started to pour buckets and I think I lost time here as I just wasn't as daring as normal going 40+ downhill with potholes, not being able to see great in the pouring rain. No one passed me including men which I think is a first for me. If you look at my T2 picture you'll see I'm first back to my rack after riding. I averaged just under 19 which is good for conditions and hills…happy with that and probably top 10% of women (11th fastest women bike split) and top 20-25% overall on the bike. 2007: 29:32 2006: 32:06 2005: 38:50 Improved 9:52 in 2 years..nice! Race Marlboro Sprint: Duration: 29:32 Work: 289 kJ TSS: 51 (intensity factor 1.038) Norm Power: 180 VI: 1.06 Distance: 8.584 mi Min Max Avg Power: 0 428 169 watts Heart rate: 146 166 158 bpm Cadence: 39 146 95 rpm Speed: 0 39.8 17.4 mph Pace 1:30 0:00 3:27 min/mi Hub Torque: 0 318 76 lb-in Crank Torque: 0 600 155 lb-in Hit higher than watt goals for race, highest race power ever NP 180, hills will do that…interesting at my VI is only 1.06 which I think means I pushed pretty good even when going down hill when possible What would you do differently?: Not race in the rain? I did the best I could given the rain. ![]() Transition 2
Comments: I had my running shoes/socks and running stuff in a little covered container so if it rained they'd be dry. Turns out it rained pretty hard while out on the bike so this worked well. I was first back to T2 on my rack which is pretty cool. My feet were a little sticky and my towel damp so a little struggle getting socks on...but not a big deal maybe 15 seconds longer than normal. What would you do differently?: Did my best given location/weather. ![]() Run
Comments: Goal: To play the relaxation game and use memories of relaxing times and a “relaxation scan” to help keep me mellow. I felt like I was taking little tiny steps when I started running. I developed a cramp in my left calf right at start of the run...my thought was oh crap let this not be a repeat of St. A's...plus I shouldn't be cramping as it isn't hot and I did take extra sodium and consumed Gatorade Endurance...thankfully within 1/2 mile it was gone. I didn't feel fast but comfortable and worked on relaxing by shaking my arms and hands..seemed to help. After I got to the top of the hills about mile 1.5 I played that relaxation game. It worked well as I played in my head fond memories of our time at the cabin in MN...I thought about Brian catching snakes, Kyle catching the smallest Rock Bass ever, all sorts of memories and it made me not hear my super loud breathing and it was like I wasn't even running...it was strange as at times I would come back to what I was doing and then go back to my memories. Did it help me relax? Oh yah the run was good and fun. I even fond myself laughing at times, and while doing this someone who had passed me I was even gaining on her. It was an amazing experience....going have to have to try this more often. I think maybe 15-20 minutes of the run I was in the zone of memories that helped me a lot. I’m not sure if I was any faster but it was much more pleasant. 2007: 32:59 2006: 34:47 2005: 40:31 In 2 years improved 8:28 What would you do differently?: Keep on working on running so I continue to improve. I probably have the most room to improve here. I think I may have had a small break through with getting into a good zone mentally for the run which will be helpful longer races. ![]() Post race
Warm down: Finished, found Kevin, walked around and had some water and a couple things to eat, checked my race results as I was unsure how I had done. I saw Scott who had a great race. Results come as folks finish so first time I checked I was in 2nd place but unsure if I'd stay there...turns out I did. I think I better stop racing for the year as I know I won’t keep getting hardware the rest of the season…just kidding. I met the 1st place Athena in the locker rooms…she was funny and she said she was sorry for beating me but she had a good day. My response we are doing this for fun and not the hardware…she agreed. She was much younger than me…it was nice to meet her as she was nice and we all really just race against ourselves. If I raced in AG would have been 7/13, but in the cluster of MOP...4-5 minutes from 2nd place in the 45-49...as Kevin say I need to consider doing AG for more of a challenge. I really hope to drop out of Athena by next year so only choice is AG. I took a shower and changed into warm clothes and waited for awards. We didn't get out of there until 11:45am...long morning. Kevin was so great to get up at 5:15 stand all morning in the rain to take some great photos and cheer me on. What limited your ability to perform faster: I improved 3:14 from last year which is the least I've ever improved. Strange but I doesn't bother me at least not yet. It was raining for the bike, I had a crappy transition spot compared to last year, my Asthma seems to be acting up more, but I had a fun, enjoyed the challenge of racing & was strong mentally during the whole race and those things are more important. In two years I have improved 19:23...wonder how much more I can improve in 2 more years...not as much maybe 5-6 minutes more. 2005 1:30:52 2006 1:14:48 2007 1:11:34 Running...rain and transition spots Event comments: Nice race Firm puts on..I think this is a good early season race with some challenging hills both on bike and run...good warm up for Mooseman. Last updated: 2007-05-07 12:00 AM
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United States
55F / 13C
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 140/288
Age Group = Athena
Age Group Rank = 2/6
Argh...after having put in my RR in editing it and adding a picture all my text disappeared.
I've had a tough time last couple of weeks with balancing training/life and feeling hopeful and optimistic. In thinking about it, I tend to get this cranky way before important and longer races. This race was a train through race and I had two tough build weeks leading to this race. Clearly I wasn't going to do my absolute best.
So it was strange, that I was not nervous or anxious at all about the race as it should be fun and it isn’t really important to me. I think it has to do with that skill set=challenge idea I've read about in the Flow of Sports. I’ll work hard to do my best, but I have confidence in my abilities. I get more nuts with longer and more important races. I’d rather be the way I am today though all the time.
Up at 5:15, breakfast & pack car, leave 6am, arrive 6:45 which seemed a little early with only 20 cars there; walked long way to check in; checked in #168 so I'd start 56 minutes after first person got in the pool; did get best spot on rack the end; but had the 2nd to worst rack as in this race not everyone comes in and goes out same spot so having a front transition spot is great...last year I had the best spot closest rack to out bound part of transition.
I found Scott and his friend Kevin. We hung out and found a place to sit down and out of the cold/rain and chatted with folks. About 60 minutes before I'd start I had 1/2 Cliff Bar and 3 Endurolytes. After 18:30 after the start I ran for about 10 minutes, came back to transition put on my bike shoes, and rode about 10 minutes. I was riding with the early fast folks and taking my time not in a hurry in/out of transition and those cheering folks on kept looking like why are you going pokey slow.
Reset up transtion, went on one more restroom run, found Kevin for a kiss and good luck and got in line with about 25 people or 6-7 minutes before my start which was perfect timing.