Title 9 Women Only Escape the Cape Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I didn't mind the bumps and smacks and the beginning, and I held my line. The group spread out rather quickly and I felt like I had plenty of room. I focused on staying calm, breathing steadily - 3:2, and swimming straight. Thought a lot about my catch and keeping elbows high. OOPS Forgot to kick a few times! I could have pushed myself to swim faster, but I was afraid of becoming breathless after recent panicky swims, so stuck to my plan to keep a moderate effort and to stay calm. Was side by side with another swimmer for the last third or so, and I did to push my pace near the end to pass her.

Start in the back of the pack, instead of the middle; let them spread out before I start passing people, thereby avoiding the mob/smacking. Otherwise I wouldn't change my decisions for today. This swim was about restoring my confidence in my OWS after some awful, cold, breathless, nerve-wracking, discouraging OWS practice and sprint this spring. So I am perfectly pleased.

This sucked. Slow, and I felt a dizzy, was not thinking clearly, was surprisingly winded from the swim. I struggled to put on socks (b/c forgot to dry my feet) and was unsteady, had to sit down. Felt like I was in slow motion. Also wasted several seconds - couldn't decide whether to add a shirt or jacket when I saw folks around me zipping on long-sleeved layers, but realized after the sock trouble that I'd never get the arm warmers on when I was so wet. Blah blah blah. So I just went out in wet tri top/shorts like I did last summer, wondering if I'd regret it. Turned out fine, wasn't cold at all, but I didn't get dry during the bike; too humid??

Forget the socks, learn to stick my wet feet in my shoes and GO, or use the darn towel sitting right there in front of me (ugh). I don't know why I felt so foggy and unbalanced, but it definitely slowed me down.

Rode in the drops most of the time. I passed a lot of gals, but got passed by a few, kinda tired. I thought about each of the Rookie TriManiacs and really pushed it!! I am pleased overall, and quite surprised by my pace! I can't avg 17.7mph on the hills at home.
I remembered some advice to hold back a bit on the bike and "save it" for the run, but decided to ignore it; I knew I'd drop waaaay back in the pack on the run no matter what, and I wanted to PR my bike time. Took some water and some gatorade during the ride.

more sugar, maybe take a Gu ?

Again, unbalanced and foggy; nearly fell over putting on running shoes. This should have been quicker because all I do is change shoes and grab a cap?! I am usually snappy in transition :(

Maybe should have had more sugar during the bike? I have never felt so discomposed during transitions before.

Felt like crap the whole time and really hurting, but I did NOT walk at all. I channeled speedy Roland and Uncle Mike (suck it up, Buttercup!!!) WOW I am surprised and very pleased with the result! Really nice friendly support among the athletes, a lot of women calling out and encouraging each other as we passed going the opposite way. I got passed about a zillion times, as per usual, and I said "Good for you! Go Go!" to each of them, and they all smiled. At one point there were three gals coming up right behind me, and I called out "Y'all come on up! Whoop!!" and we all chuckled. I could barely pick up my pace in the last mile, but I tried.

did the best I could today; need to build endurance ~ ROTB.

stretched in the grass, water, part of an orange, got on the list for the orthopedic-whatever massage staff ASAP; right ham & glute hurting.


Transitions sucked; fear of trouble breathing compelled me to hold back effort on the swim; can improve my bike legs/strength, maybe I need learn more about gearing & strategy
But after all that, I PR'd by 10 minutes!!! WHOOP!!!! :)


Lovely setting, great staff, extremely well-organized race, everything was well-marked, the pre-race meeting was thorough, the athlete info packet was excellent, nice volunteers. Post-race food was pizza, so I passed.
This is the first year they've tried a women's only race at this venue; the traditional coed race was yesterday. I volunteered yesterday, and I think the faster and more competitive athletes raced then; this was a friendly group of ladies today. Chip timing snafu delayed the final results and awards, so ended up waiting around an extra hour, then just left. I think the finisher's medals are unnecessary, but my kids liked it. A very welcoming event, great for newbies and buddy groups.