AFLAC Iron Girl - TriathlonSprint

This was a disaster. Although I knew the water was cold, I was not prepared for the effects. My goggles were fogged before I got in the water in spite of efforts to prevent this (defogger spray and spit). I could not see so I immediately pulled them up onto my head and attempted to swim without them. The cold just sucked my breath away and I could not catch my breath. I couldn't swim with my face in the water, so I did back stroke for almost the entire swim. I stopped at 3 kayaks to rest. By the 2nd kayak I actually putting up my arm for help because my arms were too numb to do any type of stroking. At one point, on my back, all I could do was kick. My arms were like dead weight. Never before have I ever felt that I couldn't complete a swim without help. I wasn't alone, but I did have the slowest time of the entire group, which makes me want to give up and cry.

If I ever feel brave enough to attempt a swim in water this cold again, full wetsuit, neoprene booties, do they have these for hands also? Also, for my head and definitely goggles that don't fog! This happened at my last tri, but I managed to ignore it. I don't know what else...I was conditioned enough for the swim length. I was not able to swim more than a few strokes of freestyle, so who knows how I would have done if I'd been able to swim how I trained.

T1 times were slow for everyone because T1 included a 1/4 mile run from the swim finish to transition. We put on shoes at the swim finish to wear for the run to the bike. My calves were cramping badly, so much of this uphill run I walked. Due to the long run, any water between me and the wetsuit that might have helped with removal was long gone, so the suit wouldn't come off by stepping on it...I had to sit on my butt. We had been warned about the cold air and getting on the bike wet, so I had purchased liner gloves and tights to wear on the bike. I decided I didn't need the tights, but I did put on the gloves and a jacket. I am glad I put on the gloves, but I probably didn't need the jacket. I had a hell of a time getting into my shoes for some reason (not mounted on the bike...just pulling them on in transition).

Probably not much in this case. Avoid tri's long runs from the swim?

I knew coming in that I wasn't prepared for hills or the altitude. I started in a low gear and took it slow for the first few miles until my legs felt normal again. My average speed coincides with my average training speed. I stopped briefly once for water as I didn't feel comfortable trying to ride up or downhill while attempting to drink. I maybe lost 30s doing this but it gave my legs a bit of recovery to finish my uphill climb. This was also my first USAT sanctioned race and I was paranoid about the drafting rule. In some cases I felt my choices were either to pass or slow down so much going up hill that I might just fall over. So, I usually burned out my legs going for the pass, only to be passed again of course. I had fun on the downhills...they were steep enough to help me make up some speed but not so steep that I felt out of control or that I had to ride the brakes.

Train, train, train. Find some hills and get out, somehow, more than once a week.

Apparently transitions are my strength as T-2 was my highest ranking. Putting on my shoes took the longest...no socks or applying Body Glide to my feet. I also had to pull off the jacket I pulled on in T-1.

Next time there won't be a jacket to pull off. Otherwise, I don't know there was much else I could do different. Run out the chute faster?

I definitely feel the altitude affected me...I was out of breath and found myself walking briefly after a mile. In training I have no problem running an hour+ without walking. Also, I don't have hills to run on, so have no trained on hills. This was my slowest 5K time since my very first when I walked more than ran.

I do know where there are hills that I can travel to to train...I should probably do that. My best 5K time ever was just under 36 mins. and my worst was 42. So, this comes in at pretty close to my average. I could have run more...but I got into conversation with another runner who was also having trouble with the altitude. I don't think I'll do that in future races, but I am not super competitive and my desire to keep her company was stronger than my desire to take another minute off my total time. I knew the damage had been done with the crappy swim and a minute more or less on the run wasn't going to mean much.

Iron Girl puts up a nice breakfast cafe for the finishers. So, ate and chatted.


Genetics. I will never be fast, I guess, although I won't stop trying. I sometimes wonder why I keep doing this. All I am doing with my poor performances is to remind me of why I was also chosen last for all sports in P.E.


Iron Girl puts on a very well organized, touchy feely, feel good race. I never felt bad until I got home and evaluated my results. The one positive thing that came out of this is that a friend that accompanied me is now pumped to start training for triathlons.