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 Swim
Comments: I've worked hard in the pool all winter and had a GREAT swim out at Trout Lake just a week before....so I got a little cocky and found myself at the front of my wave when the swim started. When the horn blew, I ran just a few feet into the water then immediatly dove in and began swimming. I'm thinking that most of the gals behind me ran quite a bit further than I had and caught up to me pretty quick, because within seconds I was surrounded by flailing arms and legs. They weren't kidding when they say it's like a washing machine. I saw nothing but bubbles and toes ahead of me. I rotate for a breath the the left and there's a girl. Stroke, stroke, stroke, I rotate to the right and there's a girl. It was full contact swimming. I was bumped and kicked the entire way. But, I didn't panic...I just kept on swimming as best as I could in the little space I had. I realized as I was coming up on the 2nd buoy that I'd been kicking my legs a heck of a lot more than I do when I swim normally and I was getting TIRED! I look up to sight and just as I did, I gulp a huge mouthful of lake water and start to choke. Ugh! I had to stop to cough up the nasty lake water. Luckily though, some of the field thinned out and I was able to swim comfortably after to the finish. What would you do differently?: I have no place at the front of the wave. I should have started in the middle or towards the back...and way off to the sides like I had last year. At least that way you can see going in the water what you have ahead of you and you can craete some space so you'll be able actually swim halfway normal. And with it being a chip-timed start, there was no reason to hurry. My time doesn't start until I cross the mat anyways.  Transition 1
Comments: I jogged at a snails pace, but I jogged none the less the entire way to my transition area. Helmet on, wetsuit off, sunglasses on. I had my little socks all rolled up and ready...but as I stood there looking at them, I just didn't have the energy or desire to put them on. So I didn't. I put on my shoes and made my way out. What would you do differently?: Hustle a little more. I was feeling pretty drained and a little light-headed. But a little more hustle and I would have finished under 1hr 20min. Opportunities for shaving seconds are everywhere.  Bike
Comments: The bike leg went about as good as I could have expected. It's funny because I'd been riding for the past 3 months or so in just the big ring. I'd just chug along up the steeper hills (standing up and pumping when needed) because I didn't think it was worth shifting out out to only have to shift back into the big ring for the down hill. I realized this wasn't the best way to do it after seeing so many people fly by me at the BT unofficial tri a few weeks ago. So, I took this opportunity to practice shifting out of the big ring on the up-hills. And it seemed to help, although I still got passed by a few people...including some dude on an old mountain bike wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers motorcycle helmet. WTF! What would you do differently?: I pushed it pretty hard, but would try to push it even harder next time. No reason to leave anything out there. Transition 2
Comments: I came to a complete stop, unclipped and trotted back to my transition spot. Again...thought for a short moment about putting on my socks, but declined. It just seemed like too much work. So, I slid on my shoes (thank you quick laces), snapped on my race belt, put on my RED WINGS hat and off I went! What would you do differently?: Always can hustle a little more....  Run
Comments: I was totally bummed that the running route had to be changed due to flooding. I felt really good when running it the week prior and was actually looking forward to it (which is a huge feat in itself considering I hate running! The course had been changed to an out-and-back. It was a nice run and I felt pretty good most of the way. Last year, I walked several times. This year, I only walked at the aid stations. Overall...I feel like I'm improving my run every week. What would you do differently?: No walking at all and sprinting at the end (makes for a better picture). Post race
Warm down: After catching my breath, I stretched the legs. Talked to the BTer's, check the results, watched the awards and FINALLY made my way over to the food line for a delicious BBQ turkey sandwich. What limited your ability to perform faster: I'm the epitome of a weekend warrior. I work my butt off Friday-Sunday, but find it VERY difficult to keep with my training when I'm traveling for work (which happens to be about 3 weeks out the month). I need to put more focus on running. And I'd like to spend some significant time on strength training. Event comments: This is a great race. It is very well organized. There are TONS of volunteers and they are all super friendly. And it is SO much fun seeing all of my BT friends at the same race. I will do this one again next year. Profile Album Last updated: 2009-03-18 12:00 AM
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United States
60F / 16C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 355/700
Age Group = 25-29 Female
Age Group Rank = 21/45
I had everything ready to go the night before so I'd be able to get up and get going in the morning without thinking. So alarm goes off at 4:30AM and I....hit the snooze button three times. Ugh!
I finally drag myself out of bed at :05 minutes to 5AM, brew a pot of coffee and, as I rub the sleep out of my eyes, slowly pulled on my race gear (that I'd set out the night before, just incase my morning was as I described). I was in the car and on the road by 5:11AM...arriving at the park a little after 6AM after rocking all the way to some old school Blink 182 songs.
I park and get out of my car and to my left are two ladies unloading their gear, dressed in hoodies and toques while hugging themselves and shivering. I say "geeze ladies...you're dressed like it's December"! (Thinking in my head "how will these gals get in the water if they're this cold already!)"
Come to find out, I played hockey with one of them a few years ago. Sunrise is her screen name here on BT. Talk about a random reunion!
I pitched my tent near the finish line hoping that ALL OF THE 30-something BTer's would find it easy enough. But after standing alone in it for close to 30 minutes, I was beginning to worry that people would think that I set it up solely for myself. I was quite embarrassed until finally the Greyhounds placed their tent next to mine. Phew! That would surely draw some people to "our" tents now!
I'd set up my transition area very early and began chit-chatting with the other BTer's that finally made their way to our tent. George kept saying he thought we'd be starting late because of the line of people still needing to get marked, so I took my time getting down to the lake. About 5 minutes before the fist wave was supposed to go off, I got in the water. I spit in my goggles, dip my head under and just as I was about to go, I hear a voice over the loud speaker warning "PLEASE CLEAR THE WATER, WE'RE ABOUT TO START".
Crap! I slid under the ropes and into the beach swimming area so that I could at least get a little bit of a warm up in before the start of the race. After, I moseyed my way to the front of my wave and waited for the start of the race. Also, I saved CraigT from certain drowning by fixing his wetsuit, which was bunched up and folded over at the neck and would have surely lead to him taking in water and drowning.