Athleta Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Women's Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Due to issues with the swim at Rage two weeks earlier, I purposely took it easy on this swim. The time trial start was interesting - made for a very different race than I am used to. There were a few girls who probably shouldn't have been so close to the front of the line, and it took a little extra time to get around them. (although I'm sure there were those who thought the same about me) I can swim much faster than 2:30 - my best in the pool is 1:43 - but I clearly still have a ways to go in terms of getting over my open water anxiety. After what happened at Rage though, I was just happy to get through it without any issues.

Swim faster! :)

This race is unique in that T1 begins with a quarter mile run from the beach back up to the transition area. Long way to go in bare feet! My husband recorded me during T1 though, and I can definitely see how I could be faster in transition. Truth is, I was stalling a little, catching my breath after the run to transition.

Practice transitions more prior to racing.

I was passed by a few people on the hills, which was frustrating because I was definitely giving it all I had. Really need to work on my biking ability! However, that being said - this was my best bike time in a race so far, so I am happy.

Work on hills in training.

Again - could be faster in transition. I wasted some time messing with a fuel-belt that I really could have done without - it just ended up being uncomfortable during the run anyway. But you live and learn.

Ditch the fuel belt - practice transition more.

Started out a little hot considering the hills right at the beginning of the run - legs felt very heavy for about the first five minutes, but then the jello-legs from the bike went away and I got into a rhythm. There is a beast of a hill coming back on this run, which is the most challenging part of the run. I was just determined not to walk any part of it. I was actually surprised at my time, because it felt a lot slower than that - I guess due to all the hills. I know I'm strongest in the run, so I'd like to work on getting my time down to 8:15.

Leave the fuel-belt at home - I decided to wear it, thinking it would be extra water to pour on myself if I got hot - it turned out to be cumbersome and heavy and it bounced around too much - I wasted some time ditching all the water right at the beginning. Plus it made me look fat in the photos! :(

Had some breakfast - hung out with my Swim Las Vegas peeps.


The swim, as usual - to a lesser degree, my bike fitness. Mainly, what slows me down is the swim and its frustrating because its totally a mental thing. I could have probably taken 2 minutes off my swim time if I had pushed as hard as I can in the swim - fear is the only thing stopping me.


This was a great event - very well organized, and I felt very well-taken care of. I also think its the toughest race I've done so far. The bike in Pumpkinman is harder, but considering the swim is longer in this race, the long run to T1 and the tough run course, this race is harder overall. I like that they didn't make it an easier race just because its a women-only race. I will definitely do this race every year.