Blackland Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Swim was good for me. I've been working on this and I've seen some improvement over the last six weeks. Maybe could have gone a little harder but I wanted to feel strong the whole way. Passed a couple people (who should have seeded themselves higher) and was not passed. Waited a few seconds for the ladder before you hit the mat so overall I think this was a great swim for me.

Swim a little harder - I think I would have been ok with the effort.

I was out of the pool and ran past my cheering section (thanks guys!) and got a little past them and totally face-planted on those darn slippery floors. So everyone got to say 'ohhhhh'. I felt like a real nerd, but just jumped up and said 'I'm ok!' lol and kept going. My group didn't see that awesome fall but I banged the knee and got a little bloody before I ever even started! It was a LONG run to transition. I was thinking man, how far is this...so I was probably going a little too fast and not watching the mats. Super awesome. Ok, maybe not.

Um, let's see...not fall. Also picked up the race belt and thought 'oh I don't need that yet' and put it back down; what was I doing? No problem finding the rack or bike. I thought it was decent considering the distance (I'm a slow runner) and my graceful fall.

Overall I was decent in this leg. I had a hard time breathing and should have been blowing my nose, but that just seems gross! My body was feeling blah, no pep. Didn't feel as comfortable as normal just from not feeling well. Legs not tired, just head feeling blah. Forgot I even had a big chain ring on the first loop lol. Could have taken that long flat section a little harder the first time around. Bike course was a good course. Just a few hills, not too bad, but I'm working on climbing power so that slowed me down a little. Seemed to go by really quickly. Just steady the whole time. First loop was right at 25min, second a little under.

Remember I'm in a race, please not be sick next time, and remember I have a big chain ring for a reason. Also, I usually like a gu on the bike so did one. But I already knew my stomach was not feeling great so I think next time I would skip it if I'm not feeling well. I don't do well on an upset stomach.

I clippity-clopped to my rack, shoes off, helmet off, and ran out with hat and belt.

Nada - someday I shall learn the shoes thing.

This was not a run...I was so sick at this point it was more like a death march. I could barely keep under 13. Before mile 1 my stomach had caught up with me and I slowed to a walk to keep from throwing up right there. Then I realized I had two more miles lol. Have never had such a miserable 'run' experience. Ran a little more of the second mile and a half. It was also about 90 degrees by this point - with most of the run in the sun. Not awesome when you already feel blech. Then we ran through that grass - which my head and sinuses did not appreciate. I really wanted to DNF about half-way through! Ha! But seriously it took me forty minutes, what a sufferfest.

Legs weren't even tired or hurting, it was all head and stomach. I do need to work on running more, but it was just hot hot and my sick head was making me nauseous. Will be better next time.

Walked around and talked to my team and family who came out to support us all. Waited for everyone to finish and found some shade. Finally checked results and wouldn't you know it - I was first in division by 3 seconds. And it certainly wasn't thanks to my stellar 'run march of death valley shame'...The team yelled so loud for my first place so that was fun. Everyone did great!


Did I mention I fell? And that I was sick? lol. Overall I'm just glad I finished and didn't walk once more - one more walk and I wouldn't have my shiny medal for the kids to play with - HA!


I liked the course overall (except for the grass piece). It was just the right amount of challenge. I just wish it was either in more shade or earlier. And the finish is all in the sun and quite the walk so that's hard on spectators and finishers who have been out there all day. I felt really bad for those who were getting in the pool late and out on that run course in the heat at noon in Texas. Good organization and volunteers, I would scrap the ampitheater idea and just do it on the CCCC campus. Fun time, nice medals. The kids race was adorable! Maybe have them the day before so the race can start earlier.