Route 66 Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I had a really good swim! I think I may have positioned myself too far in the back, out of fear that this wasn't going to go well for me since I've not raced in four or so years. But it turns out that I was having to wind around people and had to find a hole to get through, which might have cost me some time.

The water was hot, murky, and had a bit of chop from some winds that were picking up. But I have to say that I enjoyed it, the water was the perfect temperature for me. I don't know how people in wetsuits were dealing with it, because I was just fine in my tri suit.

The swim is where I shine, really. So to be first in the Athena category, and the sixth woman out of the water overall...I'm pretty darn happy. I passed a LOT of men in the swim, which always gives me a little confidence boost.

Position myself up front to keep from having to navigate around people.

Oh, transitions. So I came up onto the mud/sand beach, ran up the stairs, dipped my feet in the pools to get the sand off, and started hoofing it to my bike. Now I had been blessed with a racking position that was right near the bike exit, towards the end of the transition area...and so off I went...down the wrong isle. Fortunately when I arrived at a brand new carbon fiber Cervelo, I realized it was not mine (darn). I finally got to MY bike and got everything on..ish. I can't race barefoot. I just can't. So I put socks on and my shoes, new sunglasses that I love, helmet, and off I went.

Observe that there are two isles and go down the right one. Oops.

Oh, the bike. Let me preface by saying I love to ride my bike. I really do. I'm just not terribly good at it.

Because I had been pretty high up in the order when I came out of the water, I was riding my old hunk of metal with some speedy carbon machines. And they were blowing right past me. In addition, the pavement was really rough in some points, and you had to be mindful to avoid some potholes. Not really much you can do about that, really.

I settled in and tried to push through the grades (I wouldn't really call them hills, but they were challenging!). I worked my chainring to get some power when I could, but I was definitely fighting the wind. El Reno is sort of what you think about when you think about Oklahoma. Wide, flat, open spaces with farmland (and a Federal penitentiary). Meaning there is nothing to block the wind, which was getting worse as time went on...

After struggling up the hill, I was happy to see transition. I love my bike, but I hate the bike portion.

Get a new bike. I know, I know, it's not about the bike. But at some point, it is. My big lug of a machine is just no match for a tri bike.

I started to slow down for the dismount, unclipped from my pedals, and did the most graceful dismount I could manage. Since I was now well aware of where my racking position was, I parked the bike and started to change. Helmet off, hat on, bike shoes off, running shoes on and tied, race belt on, and away we go!

Nothing. I'm pretty pleased with this transition. Might look into getting non-laced bike shoes to speed things up a bit.

I remembered what that "dead legs" feeling was like. So on my way out, I took tiny steps and just accepted that that first mile would likely be "The Angel's Share" and to not get freaked out by it. I took some water at the aid station on the way out of transition to keep myself cool, because the sun was starting to really heat the place up.

The small steps strategy was working, my legs were recovering. By mile 1, my pace had settled in, and my stride was opening up. I had decided not to wear my garmin for this race, and so I had no idea what I was pacing at. In previous tris, the run had been my enemy. I've spent the last four years working on improving my run, so I was hopeful that I'd be able to average a 10 min mile.

At the turn around, the volunteers were giving water, heed, and gels if you needed it. I felt like just having water, so I took it, drank, and soldiered on.

And then something amazing happened...I started picking people off. As we got closer to the 2 mile mark, it was like I hadn't been on the bike, like I was just out for a normal run. And so I decided to just leave as much out there as I could, and started to push. Passing as many people as I could, and try to cheer people on at the same time because it was getting HOT out there and I know it would be rough for the people who needed to walk or race walk the course.

I saw the finish line come into sight, and I started to sprint.

Probably push the pace a little more at the beginning.

I finished with a smile on my face. I was pretty happy with my time. A little bummed for not getting under 1:30, but considering that my goal was to just finish and have fun, I was pretty pleased. I went and collected my bike and took it out to the car, packed up and decided to hang around.

Tri OKC was preparing hot dogs and other things under the pavillion, so I had some, had a shower, contemplated going on the slip and slide....And then the RD announced that results were being posted on the side of the trailer, so I went to check it out, not expecting much.

I looked and looked, and finally found the Athena sheet...
And there was me. #2 Athena!
I was super happy! I called my husband and my mom and told them the news. I was really pleased. I later went back to check my swim sprint, and saw that I had been bumped to third, because the first place winner had been in a "Special Attention" swim wave that started behind mine. Oh well, still placed! Still pretty darn happy!

And looking at the results now, it looks like if I would have raced in my AG, I would have been 5/19, which makes me very happy as well!


I hate to say it, but my bike. I really need to consider getting a new one and retiring the old one to commuter/touring status.


The food and the bouncy slip and slide were an awesome touch, especially on a hot hot day.