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 Swim
Comments: Unfortunately, I am having to estimate my time. It seemed like the timing company screwed up quite a few of the results for a lot of people. Oh well. When I stepped in the water, I was surprised to find my toes actually warmed up! The water was much warmer than the air. Whoohoo! Similar to the race last weekend, I hated my wetsuit. I really felt like the wetsuit kept me from my normal stroke pattern. Obviously, I need to practice swimming with my wetsuit. I really didn't remember much contact during this swim. It could be because I started closer to the front, or more likely because the wave was much smaller than my usual races (about 30 women). About three quarters of the way through I started running into the stragglers from the wave before, but had no real problems with this. My sighting seemed good, except for a slight veer left after making the final turn. What would you do differently?: Practice wetsuit swimming!  Transition 1
Comments: I loved the wetsuit strippers! Just as I expected, I was freezing getting out of the water. I took extra time in transition to properly dry off and put on a Nike Cold Gear shirt. Putting on shirts when damp really is as difficult as everyone says. Yes, I lost time here, but I totally think it was worth every second. What would you do differently?: I really don't think there's a lot I would do differently given the circumstances.  Bike
Comments: Surprisingly, this leg wasn't as cold as I thought it would be. I attribute most of it to my sweatshirt and headband. I'm planning to invest in toe covers for my shoes because my feet were numb within seconds. The ride seemed relatively uneventful. We had a bit of a tail wind, which was nice, but that meant a head wind on the way back in. This was nothing compared to Galveston, though. In hindsight, I should have stepped it up a little bit on the way out. I definitely had it in me, but was still adjusting to the cold. As I said, on the way back there was a bit of a head wind, slowing me down a bit. Then, about 3/4 of the way through the bike, I started cramping again. This time, the cramps were in my left glute. I thought this was such an odd spot to cramp, so clearly my diet is lacking something I need for race day. I thought I had been more careful this week about nutrition, but obviously it wasn't enough. I'm going to have to figure this out before next season. Since I was in an early wave and the course was an out and back, I got to see some of the top racers on their way back as I was on my way out. They are awesome! What would you do differently?: Toe covers. I should have stepped it up a bit on the way out. I've learned there's no reason to be afraid of the cold. Transition 2
Comments: I was ready to get off the bike, but little did I know, this transition would be rough. My fingers and toes were freezing, making it difficult to maneuver through my stuff. What would you do differently?: I made a classic rookie mistake. I did not know where the run out was after I had finished with my stuff. Fortunately my parents were there to yell at me which way to run.  Run
Comments: I walked some. I am so disappointed in myself. The goal was not to walk, but I walked a few thirty second intervals. Ugh. It took me about a half mile to regain feeling in my toes and legs. The was an interesting sensation, but it didn't really slow me down. The worst was the walking. I had so much more in me, and I am incredibly angry at myself for not giving it all my last race. I think the guilt is enough for me to never walk again in a race. What would you do differently?: Not walk! Know the course miles better. Post race
Warm down: I'd consider this more of a warm up. I was still cold after the race, so I took off my wet clothes and put on a sweatshirt. I grabbed a drink and a piece of pizza and waited around for the awards. I am pleased I got second in my age group. First podium the last race of my first season. Not too bad, but this race, I could have done better. What limited your ability to perform faster: Unfamiliarity with the cold. Event comments: This was a nice race. I really enjoyed it, but it could have been a bit better organized. We got no information until the day before the race. The walk from the designated parking lot was well over 20 minutes. The timing company failed a lot of people's times, even to where they were calling people's names admitting to giving them the wrong chip. Yes, this race had its faults, but overall I enjoyed it, and I will be back next year. Last updated: 2011-10-04 12:00 AM
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United States
60F / 16C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 144/300
Age Group = 20-24
Age Group Rank = 2/7
To my horror, a cold front blew through just two days before the race. I was so anxious about the cold. I feel like I am always cold, even when the temperature runs in the 70s, much less the forecasted 48 degrees race morning. Saturday, I considered DNS'ing I was so afraid of the cold. Saturday night, I dreamt about it. Luckily, Sunday morning adrenaline kicked in, and I was ready to go when I woke up.
Like usual, I ate a bagel with peanut butter, kashi cereal, a banana, and drank a Neuro Sonic. When I walked outside to put Mrs. Bike in the truck, I got my first taste of just how cold the morning was-- not pleasant. I decided then I would take a few extra seconds in transition to throw on a Nike Cold Gear Shirt before the bike. I felt a little more prepared.
Not too much of a warmup for this race. Stood in line to use the restroom, then put on my wetsuit.