Gator Grinder - TriathlonSprint

Swam a fabulous first 5 laps of crawl, then started to get panicky due to having the lung capacity of a gnat after my illness and interspersed some side-stroking. Finished with side-stroke. Not what I wanted to do, but side stroke was mentally and physically so much easier. Still about a minute faster than the same race last year.

Keep working on crawl, in February I couldn't even do 1/2 a length and now I really can easily do 1000, but clearly not under race conditions.

No problems, a short jaunt to the transition area, dried off a bit and got dressed. My transition area was fairly organized so there were no problems.

Nothing.

I love this bike course. This is where I could really see my training (and new bike) come into play. Last year there were 3 hills I had to walk and this year I passed people going up them. However, due to lung capacity of a gnat again from recent illness I had several coughing fits. Once five different racers asked if I was OK. An amazing coyote ran in front of me just as another very serious racer was passing. Had he not confirmed it I may have thought it was an hallucination rather than the surreal experience it was. After driving the course I decided to really hammer down the hills to help with the uphills on the other side and the strategy really paid off for me. Although the bike course was 1 mi longer this year (due to construction) my time was 3 minutes faster.

Have more recovery time from my illness before racing.

Fairly quick, ripped off my bike stuff and went.

Nothing.

My legs felt the best they ever have coming off the bike, but my illness weakened lungs were again the limiter. Able to run the entire course (check on one of my goals). 4 1/2 minutes faster than last year

Again I think I just needed more time to get healthy before racing.

Walked around a bit and got food. They had the most amazing little baked potatoes with chilli and cheese, which normally would make me want to hurl, but it really just hit the spot. Also, a banana and orange wedges followed by a bit of ooye gooey brownie. Washed it all down with some water. Found my hubby who missed my finish, because he was basing when to be there on last years time.


My health and lungs.


Another fun, early season, indoor pool race. Many people I recognized from last year and just a very friendly and encouraging bunch of racers and volunteers. Great food cooked by the parents of the swim team at the end. Check this one out Oregonians, but register early as it fills up fast!