Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I loved this swim. Yes, the water was cold, and yes my wet suit is packed in a yet to be found box in my new house, and YES I complained and moaned about having to get IN the water, but once in, I loved it. My googles got f'ed up for the first lap, so I tried to swim keeping my head out of the water -- not too easy. Fixed 'em at the first wall and moved on. I loved this swim -- I felt so calm and smooth and strong. I know I could have gone faster, but as it was a I passed 4 people at different walls. I think if I really worked on speed in the water I could significantly drop this time. I just loved doing it so much.

Make sure googles work when starting.

This went well, all things considering. Threw my bike jacket on -- there was no sun today and I knew I would be cold. A little hard to stuggle on the socks over wet feet, but I knew I'd want them on the run, and so I might as well get them on now.

Nothing. Well, this process will get more smooth as I do it more.

I felt great on this bike! Drafting seemed to be the rule rather than the exception here, but oh well. There was one annoying chick I kept rubber banding with, and she kept passing me on the RIGHT during sharp turns, with no warning. WTF? I made it my mission to leave her behind cause she was annoying me so much. I also made it my mission to catch up to people who had horrible horrible bike form -- like when you see their knees pointing out to the side and they're wobbling all over -- they were on my radar. Now, I'm not saying I don't wobble and am not a spaz on my bike -- I totally am -- but I know how to pedal efficiently, damnit! :)

Anyway, I'm really proud of my bike. It was a really solid effort for me, I felt good, and I know I did good. There was one big hill that we did twice, and each time I passed at least three people going up it, and I didn't really feel like I was working too hard. I think I did good, for me, for now.

Drink more.

Seemed easy ... bike up, shoes off, shoes on, helmet off, hat on, y'all know the drill. Forgot my race belt ... doh! Oh well. Grab an egel and my water bottle, which I passed off to Jess (Tri Take Me Away) right out of transition.

Nothing

Um, this is a 5k PR for me. I think I need to try harder in flat out road races!
This run went well. I definetly felt like I was working for the first mile or so -- it wasn't easy by any means. But I wasn't killing myself, and considering I've been running 11min/miles at best recently, I think that's pretty cool. Passed a guy who was doing the race on crutches -- it looked like his leg had been amputated below the knee and he had a fake limb on him. We chatted for a bit about how good it felt to be out there doign this. And it did! I loved this. I was smiling the whole time and chatting with people and taking it all in.

I think I could work harder. I need to learn how to push more... but this wasn't the time or the race for that.

IHOP!


This was suppose to be a zone 2 "race". Just practice. I (intentionally, if I'm going to be honest) "forgot" my heart rate monitor because I didn't want to be a slave to it today. I just wanted to go out and try my best and see what happened. I tried to use RPE to know when to back off, and the rest of the time just work to do it.




I'm really pleased with my race. When I finished I wanted to start all over again! I think once I involve speedwork into my training routine I'll be able to see some really big improvements.
I just had so much fun being out there, being surrounded by a bunch of people all having fun doing what I was doing. I can't wait for my next race!