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 Swim
Comments: I worked my butt off in the pool all winter. Coming from no swimming experience...I am very happy with how I've progressed in the last 4 months. I feel comfortable in the water. I was able to breathe bilaterally the entire swim and never had to resort to the breast stroke. I felt strong and steady my entire time in the water. What would you do differently?: Things I will continue to do: I started to the outside...which I would absolutely do again. I was able to avoid most of the kicking and hitting. And I dove right into the water while a lot of others waded out pretty far before starting their swim. That saved energy and, I think, was faster. Things I need to work on: I need to learn to sight much better. I started all of the way to the right, far from the buoys, and I got off course quite a few times. Next time, I would start on the outside like before...but on the side closest to the buoys. That way I would have people to my right and buoys on my left (or vice versa, depending on the race). Good news...I think I swam WAY farther than 400 meters. If I would have stayed on course, I think would have easily broken top ten in my age group on the swim. I got that far off course!  Transition 1
Comments: I was SLOW! I stepped on a big rock on my way out of the water...so my foot was throbbing and it made it hard to run to my transition area. Once there, I got my wetsuit off fine, but when I tried to put on my shirt, I found that I'd pinned my race number though the front and back of the shirt! I had to unpin and re-pin the race number...and I still had a hell of a time getting the shirt on! It wasn't so much because I was wet...but because I was worried that the paper race number would get wet and/or rip. What would you do differently?: Use a race belt. Hustle a little more!  Bike
Comments: I think my front tire wasn't inflated enough and that could have slowed me down. And my rear-end was screaming at me about half way through the ride. I probably just need more time in the saddle...but a decent pair of tri shorts would help. What would you do differently?: I need to learn how to change a flat and how to properly inflate my tires. Other than that...just more time in the saddle and some hill work. Transition 2
Comments: Slow...I ran with my bike but took too much time putting on my hat and stretching the legs. I wasn't exactly looking forward to the run, so that could have had something to do with my slow transition time. What would you do differently?: Hustle!! Have a sense of urgency!  Run
Comments: I was surprised that my legs didn't hurt during the run. I hadn't done any brick workouts prior to this race and wasn't really sure what to expect. My legs felt good and my lungs felt ok...I just lacked energy! I walked at each water station and two other times. I was able to sprint at the end and now know that I should have pushed harder throughout the entire run. What would you do differently?: Train more. I'm going to heavily focus on the run for the next three weeks. I'm hoping to sign up for Big Fish this week and I WILL finish the run portion without walking. Post race
Warm down: I met up with the other BT'ers in the tent, caught my breath, and then got myself a piece of pizza. After, just hung out with my new BT friends and watched everyone finish. I stayed around for the awards ceremony...and a few of our BT friends placed! After, I changed into my swim suit and worked on my tan for about an hour before heading back home. What limited your ability to perform faster: Mostly, I need to train more for the run and I need more time in the saddle. I'm very happy with my swim and after a few more weeks of OWS's, I should dramatically improve my sighting. And I need to hustle during the transitions. There are so many areas where I see I can shave time...and every minute counts! I'm confident that with some more work, I can improve my times significantly. Event comments: I had an AWESOME time! I was a little worried that I'd have to wait in line to get my race packet and then rush to get ready. But they were very organized and I had plenty of time to set up my transition area and warm up before the race. The park was beautiful, the water was clean and the run was great. I loved this course and will do it again next year. It was super cool that Matt set up a tent for the BT'ers. It was really nice having somewhere to go and knowing people at the race. And it was great to meet all of the people I've seen on this site for the past 6 months! Everyone was really nice and very supportive. I am totally hooked and I can't wait for the next one! Profile Album Last updated: 2008-03-24 12:00 AM
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United States
65F / 18C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 360/500
Age Group = 25-29
Age Group Rank = 21/36
My alarm went off at 4:30am. I'd packed up everything I needed the night before, so I was on the road and at the race site by 6:15am. I picked up my packet, set up my transition area and then went off to find the BT tent. It was easy to find...Matt put it up right by the finish line! I introduced myself to Matt and Trixie, threw on my wetsuit and went for a warm-up swim with Matt about half an hour before the race began.
I'm really glad we got in the water before the race...I always feel more comfortable after I've swum a bit. We swam to the 2nd buoy and back...just enough to get a feel of the water and to get the blood flowing. I was ready to go right then! But because the buoys shifted we had to wait about 20 minutes before the ladies wave started.