Swim
Comments: Prior to the swim I was concerned about the water temp. because I did not bring a wetsuit. Focus was on sighting, and form. Drafted well. The persons in front of me kept a good pace that required me to work but not kill myself. A reminder at the beginning of the race to swim until your hands touch the bottom before getting up to walk made a huge difference in the end. A lot of those who passed me started walking early and I easily swam pass 20-30 people before I got up to run out of the water. What would you do differently?: Find out about the water temp before I get to the race so I don't use up energy worring about the temperature. It was cold out and though they said the water temp is usually in the low 70s I was concerned that meant later in the season. We have had mild temperatures and I was concerned the lake had not "warmed up" to its normal temp by this time. Transition 1
Comments: I went to the wrong rack when I got out of the lake. Mine rack was on the other side of a hedge. So I lost time there. It was a bit of a distance from the water to where I racked my bike and then from there to the actual bike entrance. So my time is long but the time spent actually getting my shoes and helmet on was quick. Struggeled getting my shoe clipped. What would you do differently?: Check out the view! Find out what I am going to see when I run out of the water. I couldn't find my bike rack at first. And maybe get better positioning on the bike racks so I am not far from the run in and bike out. The spot I chose this time was far from everything! It was far from the swim finish, bike start and end and the run start. Really added to my time. Bike
Comments: The sight of that first hill was daunting. I have never started with a hill at the beginning of a race. There was absolutly no flat before the hill and I even had the thought that I might have to walk my bike up the hill. What would you do differently?: Not to think negatively I took that hill with power and did just fine. I had a little trouble drinking. Seemed that my chest felt heavy. Other than that I felt really strong on the bike. Transition 2
Comments: Since I have rode shoes and not triathlon shoes getting out of them on the bike is tough. I haven't practiced that at all. It is a steep down hill at the end and technical. But I did manage to unbuckle one shoee while going down the hill. Headed out to the run with my helmet still on my head. Had to throw it down at the end of the row of my bike rack. What would you do differently?: Practice getting feet out of shoes while I am on the bike. Remember to take my helmet before I leave for the run. Run
Comments: Lots of steep hills! I walked up some that I should have jogged up instead. I almost drowned on the run at the first aid station. I had a lot of trouble taking in water. So, though it wasn't hot, I poured the water on head and that helped me stay cool. What would you do differently?: Run up hills and not let the fact that others are walking affect me. Also, one runner thought they sent us the wrong way and half way down a hill she seemed to convince us all we were going the wrong way too. We went back up the hill only to find out that, yes, the volunteers knew exactly what they were doing and we are going in the correct direction. Oy vey...back down the hill we go. Like I needed to add an extra half a hill to my run. Post race
Warm down: Walked around with some stretching What limited your ability to perform faster: As usual my own thoughts and influences from others around me. Such as those walking up the hills or thinking we were going the wrong way. I did remember my goal to keep a pleasant face. That made a world of difference in how I felt during the race. Attitude is everything! Event comments: On Your Mark productions put on a really relaxed race. It it is a great race for beginners. I miss the timing that I get from other races but I understand the concept they are going for. The wave start was very organized and the competive group had the first start so they weren't in our way..ha ha. Last updated: 2011-05-21 12:00 AM
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United States
On Your Mark
Sunny
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Stretched upon waking up. Grab some oatmeal and started hydrating. Drank no sugar Rock Star lemonade, (Caffinated but with the same amount as one cup of coffee). Gear and bag was double checked and repacked the night before, after a few practice runs of transition.
My focus this race was to race hard but with a pleasant face. Like Natasha.
Left the sweatshirts at home so I was a little chilly. I ran in place for half an hour. Stretching throughout my warm up. I didn't want to get in the water and then get out and get cold again. This seemed to work much better than trying to get a little swim in before the start which is my normal warm up. I was good and warmed up and loose by the time the race started. I felt ready.