TriGirl Super Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonMini Sprint


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Humble/Houston, Texas
United States
TriGirl Sports
85F / 29C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 03m 48s
Overall Rank = 214/307
Age Group = 40-49
Age Group Rank = 33/53
Pre-race routine:

Trying to relax :)
I had packed my bag Friday night and was set I just had to fill my water bottles. I also had 5 kids to get out of bed at 5:00 in the morning so we could make the trip from Houston to Humble.
My husband filled my tires, I ate a piece of toast with PB while getting ready and drank some Emergen'C in the van on the way. The kids were tired so it was a pretty quiet ride. I planned to listen to my iPod but realized it wasn't charged.
We saw almost no traffic even as we got close to the park and I had the "OMG is this the wrong day" thought run through my head :)
Event warmup:

I remembered to take a dip in the lake before the event started. The water felt great, much warmer than the previous two OWS I practiced. I totally forgot to stretch.
I did chat with a couple of other ladies in my group, so many awesome people!
I did toss in a Hail Mary before my AG got the horn.
Swim
  • 06m 25s
  • 219 yards
  • 02m 56s / 100 yards
Comments:

I did a combination of freestyle and side stroke. The interesting thing was I was passing freestylers while side stroking :) The hardest part of the swim was traffic. I underestimated myself and should have started out a bit closer to the front, passing in the water isn't easy.
I was proud that I didn't panick and I didn't swallow much water at all. However, being in the back I heard lots of gagging coughing and struggling, it kind of freaked me out so I just pretended they were zombies and swam a bit harder in an effort to keep my brain.
Getting out I felt great and was GLAD the swim was over. I realized on my way to T1 I forgot to set my watch to time the race. I let it go and didn't look at my watch until I was in line for my massage.
What would you do differently?:

I would start a bit closer to the front and not necessarily on the outside. The only time I got off course was the very beginning. I thought I had to stay out of peoples way but realized quickly I was faster than everyone around me. I'm not a great swimmer but I think a lot of women were panicking and I wans't.
Transition 1
  • 02m 51s
Comments:

Getting into my shoes wasn't the issue, clipping in was but I kept moving forward so I guess I did ok.
I could hear my kids yelling for me, HUGE motivation!
What would you do differently?:

I thought my T1 was pretty good. I have learned the hard way I cannot drink and ride so I took a moment to drink, next time I will have an aero bottle.
Bike
  • 28m 56s
  • 8 miles
  • 16.59 mile/hr
Comments:

Because I am not good at drinking & riding I wasn't going to drink on such a short course BUT I was THIRSTY! The road was flat and straight so I decided to take the opportunity. I pulled out my bottle but noticed it was closed and as I tried to open it I dropped it! Not a big surprise to anyone who has read my threads and I just kind of laughed and let it go. A sweet gal passing said she would share but she needed hers :)
I was proud I remembered to use my gears.
What would you do differently?:

Two words - Aero Bottle!!!!

The other thing is I think I enjoyed the bike ride a little too much. At first I told myself to save something for the run then I thought 'who are you kidding? You're going to suck on the run no matter what HTFU!' So less smelling the flowers and a higher cadence. I got passed quite a bit on the beginning of the ride but that changed about mid way through. The hard part was I had no idea how far I was into the ride until.... I saw my water bottle!!! I realized I lost that pretty quick in the ride so I picked up the pace and started passing. I was so excited I got to say "on your left" for the first time in my life! And I got to say it several times :D
Transition 2
  • 01m 56s
Comments:

Not sure where I went wrong in T2, I think I wasn't sure what I needed. I knew I needed to drink so I took the time to do it. I also grabbed a gel and a piece of gum which was silly. I ate about half the gel and didn't touch the gum until I found it in my tri suit melted later that day.
What would you do differently?:

Keep it simple.
Run
  • 23m 34s
  • 2 miles
  • 11m 47s  min/mile
Comments:

I lost a lot of time in T2 I was in 43rd at T2 and finished 34th so I guess I gained some in the run. I did practice a lot of bike to run bricks and I think that served me well. I didn't have that brick feeling but I was SLOW. I was trying to pace myself but took it too easy the first half. I felt fine during the run, never thought of walking. I started seeing empty cups and realized I was close to the 1 mile marker, got some water - poured half down my neck and drank the other half. Shortly after the mile marker I got a pace buddy which helped. I'd like to know my time on the 2 separate miles, I am sure I was faster on the 2nd. I had a strong finish and felt great.
The best part was seeing my husband and kids at the finish! My older boys are 14 and 16 and were taking pictures, just as I came up on them my younger son sprinted with his camera around to the finish to try to take my picture, he missed the shot but it was awesome to have him there to hug at the end. My 5 and 6 year old girls made posters for me and the youngest was sleeping on Daddy. My family is amazing and they were such great sports and I knew they were very proud of me.
What would you do differently?:

I would have run faster.
Post race
Warm down:

As much as I LOVED the ice cold towel and water at the end of the race just moments after I put the towel on my neck the muscles siezed up and I was in PAIN! It was like having a huge cramp in my whole neck. I pulled a muscle Wednesday swimming and have been uncomfortable since.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I'm slow.

Event comments:

I did get a massage later, I don't know his name but I love him!

We got breakfast tacos and the girls played at the playground.

This was a great way to spend Mother's Day!


Profile Album


Last updated: 2009-05-10 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:06:25 | 219 yards | 02m 56s / 100yards
Age Group: 30/53
Overall: 0/307
Performance: Below average
Suit: LG Tri Suit
Course: I prayed for and was blessed with very calm waters. If it wasn't for all of those other bodies in the water it would have been a lovely swim.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 76F / 24C Current: Low
200M Perf. Below average Remainder: Below average
Breathing: Average Drafting: Below average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 02:51
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Average
Biking
00:28:56 | 08 miles | 16.59 mile/hr
Age Group: 30/53
Overall: 0/307
Performance: Average
Wind: Little
Course: The course was nearly perfect. We had some potholes but nothing major. I knew I would enjoy this leg the most and as soon as I got to the shaded part the smell of the blooms was glorious and I looked around at the sun peeking through the trees, I was simply so happy to be there.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering:
Gear changes: Good Hills:
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 01:56
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:23:34 | 02 miles | 11m 47s  min/mile
Age Group: 34/53
Overall: 0/307
Performance: Average
Course: It was a simple out and back. It was nice seeing runners on their way back when I was on my way out.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5