TrySports Mayo Lake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Though this was a smaller race with only 4 waves there were still a lot of people at the start of my wave. I guess because it is a smaller lake there was only so many places you could go! So I was around people until the turn around buoy but didn't freak out! I even kept my eyes open underwater to see where people were, this also helped my sighting, which could always use some help! The turn buoy is quite close and then the long leg is on the way back. I felt great during this swim. Going into the race I put no expectations on myself. This was an unplanned race so I was just going to enjoy myself. however once in the water I really wanted to kick butt!

The exit of this swim is never easy and this year there were 2 guys pulling people out o the water and onto the muddy bank. The run to T1 was hard because it was so muddy and slippery!

This actually felt quite long but I was 2nd in my AG so I guess it wasn't that bad! I had to rinse off my feet because they were covered in mud and grass. Then I had sock problems which took a few seconds, then I almost dropped my bike, but besides all that it was a good transition LOL!

Coming out on the bike I felt great! Then all of a sudden I dropped into my small ring and could not for the life of my get into the big ring, so I pretty much spun for 2 miles, I was trying to not freak out but I didn't know what to do. Finally I calmed myself down and all of a sudden I got into the right ring and was able to pedal more efficiently. I think I shrieked and freaked out the person passing me!

But luckily not too many people passed me on this ride. i went back and forth with a girl for most of the race, she would pass me on the downhill, I would get her on the uphill. I forgot how hilly this ride was, lots of long, gradual hills but I felt really strong. Must be all of those training rides with the boys!

It's funny what goes through my mind on the bike. When I am training I usually sing songs in my head or plan whats for dinner but today I was totally focused. I was thinking about nutrition, hydration and strategy...so fun! I do wish sometimes I had a twitter feed hooked up to my brain, I still started thinking about weird things but can't remember any now!

Once we turned onto the final main road I took 2 big squeezes of Gu and a couple swallows of water and I was set for the run.

Figure out my bike gearing

Pretty nice considering I had to change shoes, must learn to dismount with shoes on the bike. I was 1st in my age for T2 time, helps that I didn't use sunglasses or a visor for the run.

So I remember most of the run from last year but as I started running I forgot how rooty it was! Still my legs felt great! I tried to keep light on my feet, I didn't need a sprained ankle at the beginning of marathon training so I tried to imagine myself running on clouds (cheesy I know but it worked!) The trails made it hard to pass people but I was running with mostly middle aged men who would just let me pass as I approached. So nice! I found it really odd that I hadn't seen anyone form my age group in either the bike or run, I was either in great shape or really pathetic shape.

The hills on the trail got nasty in places, I had to run on my toes to get up them, I was back in high school cross country practice all over again! Still I was having a blast and feeling awesome. I was going to hammer it the rest of the way. I was running about 9 minute miles which I was fine with on these trails, I was trying to be fast but smart.

As I made the last right turn out of the trails one of the FS guys told me to pass the guy in front of me, I tried so hard to chick him at the end but I just couldn't. Oh well still quite happy with my race!

As I finished I had to stop and put my hands of my knees to compose myself, a volunteer rushed up to me to make sure I was ok, I was fine just really winded. I stood up and saw Carol handing me a water bottle. I gulped half the bottle then walked to find Scottie. I felt really awesome, tired but not sick or strained. We found Alan, and also Carol and Ginger before checking our times. I looked on the list of women and saw my name near the top, 18th place? I couldn't believe it. Then I started counting down the girls in my age group and only saw 2 in front of me! I checked 4 other times to makes sure I wasn't mistaken. Sure enough I placed! The first girl in my AG actually got 2nd overall so I was awarded the 2nd place in my age group! I was so excited, my first podium finish!

We packed up our things and took everything to the car before the awards. The awards ceremony was low key and simple, I was the only finisher in my AG that was present so I got a picture by myself! I ended up getting a $10 gift certificate form TrySports. Ginger told me to buy something I could use and remember the win with, in other words...not nutrition! So I may venture out there this week to get a new shirt or something.

Once everyone got their awards (Ginger and Carol went 1 and 2 in their AG!) we all caravanned to Hog heaven for some BBQ!

BTW- I figured out why I never saw anyone from my age group, #2 finished 8 minutes ahead of me and #1 was 15 minutes ahead of me with #4 11 minutes behind me. It was a surprisingly small group from my age.


FS Series puts on a great race! I am planning to do as many of their races next year as I can.