Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at SEAFAIR - TriathlonSprint

It was a typical crowded start...just trying keep the other gals from pushing me off course. I plowed into a few people who had navigating issues. There was a gal on my right side after the first 100 yards and for the remainder of the first leg of the swim. If we were much closer our shoulders would have been touching. I kept whacking her...little whacks to remind her that a bit of crowding wasn't going to make me change my course. ;)

Once I rounded the first buoy it was no longer an issue. Nearly everyone aimed wide of the next mark. My navigation was great. I sighted about every 18 strokes and was only off course twice-and that was only by a few degrees. At this point I was catching up with the back of the previous wave pass a few guys from the previous wave (M 25-29). That is always a nice boost for my self confidence...sorry guys. I rounded the next corner and was able to sight the swim finish.

I felt like the swim was taking a whole lot of effort. I kept reminding myself to lighten up my kick. All the years on swim teams had drilled in the importance of a powerful flutter kick. I have to unlearn this now that I have started tri-ing.

It seemed like the last 200 yards were the easiest. I had a row of orange buoys leading me to the finish. Mentally I felt like I was already there. I continued to pass people from the previous waves and gals in my wave that were running out of steam. (I suppose that there were a few people that passed me as well ;)) I maintained a fairly consistent pace through the entire swim. I put out more effort towards the end, but my stoke had gotten a bit sloppy. I swam until my fingers were in the sand, passing lots of struggling waders in the process. I stood up and left the water with only one or two off balance steps and then I ran the remainder of the distance to transition and my rack.

I dropped more than 3.5 minutes from the last time I swam this course. (It was just an OWS and I had a migraine the day before...I am not sure how much these factors effected the time.)


I can't think of much. I could use some more practice in crowded chaotic starts.

Put in a bit more training...I had done very little swimming over the past 3 months.

My transition marker rocks!!! I received a bunch of thank yous from other athletes racked near me. :)

I had unzipped the wetsuit as I made my way through transition. I pulled my cap off right as I came to my bike. The rental wetsuit came of much more easily than my farmer john suit. I was still slowed down a bit at my ankles, but I didn't need to resort to sitting down. Socks and shoes on, sunglasses and helmet on, grabbed my gloves, some fuel, and my bike. I displayed my usual clumsiness trying to leave T-1. I don't seem to be capable of sticking something in my pocket and running with my bike at the same time.

The clumsiness only lasted a few moments then I cruised through the remainder of transition and to the mounting line.
I held off on the gloves until I was a quarter of a mile into the ride.



Not forget the bento box for my bike...that way my little bit of nourishment and gloves are stashed before the race starts.

Aerobars are awesome! I picked up at least 2 miles an hour without any extra effort and was much more comfortable. Did I mention that this was the first time I have ever used aerobars aside from spinning? :o
There were a few slight wobbles. I didn't use them on the tighter corners, nor did I use them when people were passing two at a time. There was a lot of room on the course, but when there are 3 bikes side by side going each direction there is less room for error. This is especially true when the slowest of the bunch is oblivious to their surroundings. towards the end of the bike there was a steady stream of fast bikers folks from latter waves (and relays) passing me. Because of the faster traffic on my left I was unable to one rider until I 'asked' him to move right.

I had some bike issues with about a mile and a half to go. The chain jammed itself in the cassette a couple of times. I dismounted to free it. As far as bike problems go it was an easy fix.


Spend a bit of time training on my bike so that I discover its issues before a race.

Have my bike properly fitted and the aero bars properly positioned. I suppose that I could buy a bike that is better suited to racing. I received my current bike as a gift for my 13th birthday.

Overall Placement after the bike leg: 875

I slowed a bit as I approached the dismount line and hopped off my bike. As I took the first few strides I nearly bit it. My legs had forgotten how to jog and barely remembered how to walk. After a couple more clumsy steps they remembered what to do and I jogged my bike to my rack. My oh my, that transition area was big and I was racked waaaaay down at the far end. Thank goodness for the marker. :)

I racked my bike without problems, dumped my helmet and gloves, grabbed my hat and water bottle and was out of there. I guess that I should mention that ran towards the bike exit, not the run exit. :O Fortunately I realized my mistake before I got very far.

Make sure that my legs aren't noodles before I jump off my bike.

I ran. I chatted with a few of the other athletes as I passed them-a little encouragement and lighthearted joking. And then there were runners that flew past me.

I admit, I didn't run the entire course, I decided that I my goal was to get a good time. As the hill became steeper my calves locked up and I switched to a long striding walk. I can walk really fast and passed quite a few folks that were running. I returned to a run at the top of the hill and picked up the pace right after the turn around.

Why do people slow down when they are going down hills? I let gravity help me out. By staying low and lengthening my stride I can cover a lot of ground without pounding the pavement. I reached the bottom of the hill and continued along the lake. Now that the infamous hill was out of the way I picked the pace up a little bit. I passed more runners and was passed by others. after rounding a few more bends I caught a glimpse of the finish. I was almost there. I upped my pace a bit more and finished strong.

Push myself harder...familiarize myself with the course prior to the race so I know how to pace myself.

lots of walking, a little jogging and stretching. Lots of fluids, some fruit, and half an energy bar.


Bike malfunction, lack of training


My best race yet. :)