Napa Valley Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Windy and really choppy. Started off a bit panicky, which is normal for me. Did not even put my face in the water for a bit and almost had to force myself to do it. Once I was ok with that I started focusing my my stroke and drafting when I could. Then I slowly began to pass others which gave me a mental boost. I stayed loose and relaxed through the turns. Had a little trouble timing my kicks. I flutter kicked and then would try to keep a two kick beat. Worked somethings but not always. On the final stretch I began to slow down having to work against the current. The run out was gravely and hurt my feet. Wished they had swept the pathway up to the T1.

I usually take a quick dip prior to the swim. This time I didn't and wonder if that would have made a difference in the beginning.

My legs felt strong after the swim. I remember last year having the shakes really bad and feeling extremely weak after the swim,(and it was a shorter swim last year.). But this time I came out strong and jogged all the way to my bike.

I had my shoes set aside to run up the hill to the bike rack. Thinking I was going to be as weak as last year I didn't bother to put them on when I came out of the water. Wish I had because I could have jogged a little faster to my bike. I did, however, get first in T! for my age group and 34/154 overall women.

I don't feel I did too poorly about this ride just wish I could go faster up the hills. I did perform better and I see the difference but there is still a lot of improvement to be made. I really felt like I was pushing it on the bike. Trying not to let these hills beat me. I wanted to attack these hills and trust I would have legs for the run.

Take my bike to Reno or ride after work on the hills.

Someone had put their bike in my place but there was room further down the rack. I had some gu and took in some water/gatorade. As soon as you head out on the run there is a water station. It was starting to get warm so I poured the water over my head to help with the cooling.

Remember my no tie shoe laces for my running shoes.

My legs were pretty tired as soon as I started running. I feel I walked too soon up that first hill. I let gravity work on the downhill but I could still feel how tired my legs were even going down hill. Breathing was tough and took some focus for me to not to breath so shallow in my chest. I concentrated on breathing deeper. My legs were wiped out from the bike. I pushed it in the end and sprinted. Didn't do as well as I hoped but I know I was stronger than last year.

Hill repeats no matter how afraid I am of working that hard.

stretch...but not enough. My hips and legs hurt quite a bit afterward. I usually don't feel that beat up after a race but this time I was wiped out. Maybe, just maybe I pushed myself a little harder.


Lack of training; wind; meds.


The new bike course was a bit rough. Portions of the road were pretty tore up but not all of it.