Metroplex Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I started somewhat towards the front this time and just got in the mix. I was fine with this. I never think I swim hard enough, but I'm doing better. There must have been somewhat of a current as all times were slower than normal today. Which is fine as long as we are all on the same playing field. Picked up Marianna about part way through and just stayed on her. Came out of the water close to front of the wave and within two of swimmers I know can outswim me so felt good about this performance.

Ran into T1 with all my teammates - fun! Though why do we always end up with farthest bike racks? I suck at running in bike shoes. No socks today and still felt slow. But decent transition comparatively and out I went. Slapped Marianna on the butt on the way up the dock and told her to run! - ha! - racing is fun. :)

I took this at what I felt I could hold and still stay strong. At this point I know Marianna is in front of me, but no idea what other gals are out there. I admit I did still feel some fatigue and definitely no 'pep' since I had just done IMTX 3 weeks ago. IM makes you conditioned, but slow! I passed a gal, not in my AG though. Only guys passed me, but no idea what place I'm in but at that point I'm guessing I'm 2 or 3. Right at the very end I was passed by one gal in my AG coming into T2. I thought, huh - I should not let that happen. But then I was thinking 'well everyone's gonna run me down anyway - since I'm not a great runner - so what's the difference?'. Yeah, I'm not a fighter on the bike!

Ugh, could NOT get my shoes off or on today. Why did I miss the body glide? I really need to be faster in transition. I'm like a newbie here I swear.

I left transition knowing now that at least two girls in my AG are in front of me. (And I think one of them, my speedy teammate, is on track to win overall, but that's not certain of course.) The gal in front of me is about 20 yards up the road and I swear I am following her the entire two miles at that same distance. I've had no chance for speed work since IMTX, and I'm just trying to hold my pace but my HR is crazy. I'm not gaining on her at all. "That's ok, you just did IM, you didn't come here to place, you're not a runner..." is all I'm telling myself. Then we hit the turnaround and two things happen: 1) I can plainly see all the people in front of me and dang it, there's a girl I missed - I'm in 4th AG, right off the podium. Shoot! 2) The gal in front of me by 20 yards can now see I'm still on her tail. Oops. She picks it up a bit (we were running 8's and now we're in the 7:30's). I match it thinking only 'well at least I'm not going to let her gap me'. With around a half mile to go I realize I'm gaining slightly on her. I start to think 'well we're almost done, I should at least TRY to pass her. If I don't give it what I've got we will never know if I could have.' So I make up the distance and sit behind her for maybe 3-4 seconds and prepare to pass. I want it to be decisive if I can. Then I push and pass - now I've dropped it to 6:45 pace and I'm booking. I want so badly to look behind me and see if she is following. My family and teammates are cheering for me like crazy and I'm DYING. Holding this pace for 2.5 minutes is HARD right now. But I keep on all the way through until at the finish I realize she did not follow my pass. Uh, could someone not have told me I could slow down please???! ha! I see the clock and realize I have broken that hour mark which was my real goal today. So I ran myself into 3rd AG which is a shocker. Sweet!

Pretty soon thereafter I find out out my teammate has won overall woman and I've moved up to 2nd AG. Legit!

Maybe not do a sprint so close to after IM. It's good to get you back training, but speed is the last thing on your mind.

Walked around and cheered in others. 5/80 women overall. And 5 of top 10 women overall were in my AG - speedy group today as usual out here. I dropped time again from last year and am ecstatic at that improvement at such a short distance.

2009: 1:11:02
2010: 1:04:20
2011: 57:40


As usual, I think Jack puts on a good race. Well marked, on-time, with on-time awards at just a decent venue that is spectator friendly. You know what to expect, not too costly, and just fun to have this short race.