GJCC Memorial Day Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

uh by the time I started swimming there was a good amount of room. I think though that after the first 50 yrds I lost focus of form and just swam to not run into people. I got kicked once and one time turned to breath and someone kicked just in time for me to swallow a load of chlorine water. Yum that was good. I breast stroked then to just catch my breath and get back in motion. After stretch you had to wade to get to pool exit. Made sure I went down stairs slowly as I was wobbly and well I am a natural clutz with stairs. The owner of bike shop cheered me to transition area. God bless my friend, she was right there snapping pictures. Can't wait to see them.

uh practice more? Not worry so much about the crowd and just focus on what I know how to do. I felt like all form went out the window. But I was never scared nor did I get tired. I just think I got caught in all of it and so didn't swim nearly as efficiently as I could have.

but I guessed 5 minutes and took 5:04 so did about expected.

Hey this was my first time. I found my bike immediately. I was pretty happy I remembered everything and didn't trip or fall. Some poor chick crashed on her bike right in front of me but didn't let it bother me. Got on bike and off I went.

Uh, what the heck did I do for 2 and 1/2 minutes?? man that was freakin slow!! I think I just was so deliberate and trying to catch my balance that I just took too long. How embarrassing! so uh get faster!

ok. I had to order different water bottle holders b/c my frame so short I can't reach in to get bottle so I did not drink at all on race which was ok since it was short but can't wait for them to come in, at top of hills I really could have used water. I am so thankful that I practiced this weekend with bike guy. It helped me on the hills and turns and not stress when I felt like gears wrong. I realized a few times I was in wrong gear. But I am happy I never panicked, stopped or fell! But this is the lame thing. I passed people uphill. Yeah I may not know how to ride but I have the thighs of well Rocky so brute strength got me up and passed people...but I let people pass me on the freakin downhill. I was such a woose!! I didn't brake but...well maybe a little...but I sure didn't take advantage of them like I should have. My heart rate went thru the roof at times I thought I was going to die.

This took 10 more minutes than I thought it would. I sucked. Uh spend lots more hours on my bike and not indoors on stationary bike. I think I have logged under 75 miles on a real bike since I was 12. I am still learning how to use gears, turn and just be more efficient. The bike guy who is teaching me says I am using way to much energy and way too stiff...I told him I wasn't but he said the veins popping out and my jaw gave me away. :) But I have to say in my defense, I got off a bike when I was like 12 after I fell on bikes too big for me (4 ft nothing folks) and my little cousin died from getting hit by car on bike. ...so for me...this was huge. Getting on a bike, racing on a bike. Dealing with other riders and nearby cars and not falling and not giving up. I know that sounds lame but I was really proud of me at the end. Even though I looked like a wimp and could have gone much faster.

I was really happy. My legs wobbly but racked bike. Took off helmet, slipped out of shoes, slipped on running shoes. (like my new yanks). I finally got some water in me. I heard Chris (trigods) cheering for me which really helped b/c I was so tired and weary but I took off in a rush without my race belt (no issues for this race but didn't notice until almost done with run). I got water and powerade right out of transition.

remember my race belt. That would be a penalty at other races. Grab hat and put on while running. Just relax I guess. Not think about it so much but at least better than T1.

My legs were extra wobbly from bike more because of nerves and the hills on the bike. I ran the whole way except on return I had water I was trying to drink and there was this little hill I walked for like 20 seconds...of course bike friend snagged me and I will never hear the end of it. I did see the other chris (cbost)...he was finishing just as I was getting out...that was great!!! A couple guys really harrassed me towards the end (in a good way) that I needed to run faster and was about 1/4 mile away and they were like "sprint sprint" and so I did. I sprinted faster than I think I have ever sprinted and finished that way. They annouced my name and it was freakin great!

Run faster sooner. The fatigue in my legs made me think I couldn't go faster so I really didn't try until the end. I also realized too late that I am a trained marathon runner...go slow, hold stuff in the reserves, build up. But this was a mini sprint. I should have pushed it out for the run. 2 miles is nothing for me and I just took it easy.
This was 11:15 miles for me. I so should have done 10 minute miles. ah well.

Ran into the Chrises and the guys at the bike shop and my friend who God bless her took a whole freakin roll of film. I pick them up thursday so will post then. I grabbed more water. Chatted a lot (surprised?) and wanted to stay for Melissa to finish and the awards but my friend was tired, cranky and hungry so we went to cracker barrel. I ate about 1/3 of what I ordered. Couldn't understand why. I seemed hungry but just wasn't. Uh, but I must have a loud voice by the way. I was talking as we walked my stuff to car and this guy repeated part of what I said and laughed. I turned and basically he and his friend admitted they listened to my whole story and said I was quite entertaining. I said 'no way...you couldn't have heard me'...but they said yes and then another couple turned and said they enjoyed my story telling too and heard me too. Man ok I know I cheered and used to projecting voice over football field and know I am a yankee (and we all talk loud) and I am italian...but was I really that loud? clearly yes. But they all laughed and said it was fun and I was the highlight of their day. :)


Lack of hours on my bike. Fear of bike I am getting passed. Nerves. And I think I need to eat something else at start of race, like a bagel. The shake 2 1/2 hrs before was not enough. Just being new. Not pushing myself harder throughout the race.

Overall I was happy. I wanted to get through it piece by piece with no major issues and love it enough to want to do it again. I loved it so much I wanted to do it again within the hour I finished. And I was only a few minutes slower than my practice which was all by myself in pool and a flat bike course.


They definitly cater to beginners and they had lots of good advice, lots of ovlunteers and I thought very well done, very well marked and organized.