Timberman - TriathlonSprint

The change to counterclock direction makes it hard for me to sight while breathing. When I swim along the shore and look at the shore I can sight while breathing and don't have to lift my head forward as much...so I was bummed with the change.I started in the back to the left so I could keep the crowd to my breathing side. I was with the relays, Athenas and Clydes. In the water before the start I was with mostly men...so I hung toward the very back. It was a mistake...since they blocked me and I wasted time waiting to get space to swim. Once I started swimming, I just felt off...kept going to the right which in practice ows didn't do much. Plus I would do freestyle and then stop and look around. There were little waves coming in getting to the first bouy...felt like I was swimming and not getting anywhere. After such good pool swims lately I was annoyed with myself. A guy who did no freestyle came out of the water same time as me...I felt pathetic.

Start not quite so far back in the group. Try to swim more continously. Work on feeling comfortable swimming in the washing machine feel in the beginning.

Run along the beach into back corner of transtion. Saw Rick who I took a swim lesson with and he helps TnT and he was so encouraging. It really helped!

Not much...thought I did pretty good. Next year...learn to do shoes on pedal and jump..might save few seconds..if I don't fall over.

Course was daunting and lots of long hills...not great for someone overweight. First hill out of transtion went okay...but could tell there was something seriously wrong with my bike's adjustment...shifting was difficult and some gears I couldn't get into...plus it was making horrible sound. First 1-2 miles wondered if my bike would make it all 15 miles. Going down the first hill was great...we had to make a left hand turn at a light and the police and people directing us worked great plus how they held the cars worked wonderful. I felt good during this part. As I starting winding thru the neighborhood to get to the big long hill, I took a chocolate hammergel. Then came the big hill that was long...2-3 miles and so many people passed me going up with many from the wave after me. I met a nice guy who would pass me going up and I'd pass every downhill. He could climb!! The crowds were great all along the route and they were supportive and encouraging to everyone. I tried to nod, wave or give them acknowlegement to everyone ...plus I tried to thank all the officials. Most people I passed I tried to say something positive to keep them going. The wave after me was all first timers. After the turn around...going back up that hill was tough...but going back down...I felt I was flying and passed so many people. Went around corner and up last hill which only parts were painful....many passed me back here....back into transtion...saw my three kids in lawn chairs waiting for me...great to see them.

I need to work more on hills...especially long hills like these. Hills around where I live take me 3-6 minutes up not these. I think losing weight would help me go up hills more easily...the weight to power ratio would be better. Go to a different bike shop who can actually fix my bike instead of making it worse. Test ride it after getting it fixed.

Off with helmet and gloves, on with socks and shoes, picked up hat with GPS, little water bottles for my back pocket and off. Had to get to back of transtion and run on grass to get to street. I had a bit of a problem getting GPS on with my HRM already on.

Not bring GPS or maybe put on right arm...move a bit faster.

After getting out transition ran along fenced area...saw my kids again...great position they were in. I brought two of my small 8 oz water flasks from my amphipod...didn't need both or should have drank more. Like usual all the people I passed on the bike passed me back on the run including many from the swim wave behind me. I am usually one of the very worst runners at almost every Tri. I saw MaTriMom (Laura) and Lobstergirl (Katherine) coming in strong...they were about 15 yards apart. Both saw me and yelled encouragement which I needed then. On the way out I saw team Hoyt running back and it always quite motiating to see them...my kids were impressed too. I did catch one guy but he was 57 and walking. My previous three Tris I had always run 11:51 or 11:52 per mile...so my subgoal of running faster on this was met...but not much real improvement...gained 45 seconds.

My girls were waiting for me to get to the finish...when they saw me they yelled to Brian...who was the camera guy. I high fived the girls who ran along the outside of the fence and they kept giving me high fives along the final fenced in area. I heard some Kathy cheers from Laura and Katherine I think...didn't see who was cheering...thanks!!It made it lots of fun for me.

Continue to work on running faster. This is one of my top goals to work on during the offseason.

Off with chip, given water bottle and towel...hugged kids...headed over to food tent as it started to rain. Packed up quickly and left...but wish I could have seen and talked with Laura and Katherine.


Being overweight and slow.


I felt upset about how I did on this race which seems silly with PR for speed in both swim and run. My goal time was around 1:51 so I was just a little over that. Mentally I think I was stressed without my husband there, bringing 3 kids, bike issues, traveling to a Tri. It surprised me that I felt bad...part of it is that I was disappointed in my bike time and how hard the hills were compared to Mooseman which was 27.25 miles some 10 weeks earlier. Hasn't all the training I've done made a difference in my fitness? I didn't really enjoy the race..chaos at home made the logistics difficult and did not help in keeping me in the right frame of mind. Does this happen to others...just feel blah? Disappointed with performance? Frustrated at lack of progress in getting faster, stronger, fitter?