SheROX Philadelphia Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

As I was headed into the water for my wave, I had a cramp in my arch. That was a little worrisome but I shook it off. It's a good thing that I have a lot of experience swimming in the B&R pool with cramps.

The swim went off without a hitch and the river was actually very pleasant. I wished the swim was longer.

Nothing

I decided at the last minute not to wear socks for the bike. They always get soaked anyway and then I want dry socks for the run.

I felt very lucky to start the race in wave 3 which, as it turned out, was really wave 2 behind the pros and para-athletes. This really came into play on the bike course. We had a lot of space for the first loop. However, we took our life in our hands on the second loop with the newbies riding all over the road. If you said "left," they swerved left OR didn't move out of the way at all. Then they would bike down the center of the road on the downhills...but I'm glad they are experiencing triathlon.

I thought I was biking good and then all of the sudden a woman passed me in my age group. She looked strong. I thought "oh crap, this is a real race now." Then the second one came by. Then the third (Lori Beck) blew by me like I was standing still. I tried to keep the first two in my sight. There's no staying with Lori!

As I approached transition, I thought to myself, this is where every second counts.

I took one GU halfway through the first loop of the bike. I drank 1.5 bottles of half Gatorade/half water. It was so darn humid out. The sweat was just dripping off me.

Train more on the bike. I know that's what I need.

I put my socks on. It was so nice to head out with comfortable feet.

I also put my visor on. The run course was very sunny.

I usually pass a lot of people on the run but not this time. The run course seemed so deserted. I came to the first aid station and completely passed all of the water because no one was saying anything even though I shouted "water." Finally, someone said, "it's all back there." I didn't go back.

I saw the woman in the green/gold Philly tri suit well before the turnaround. I could see that I was catching her. I kept telling myself to keep at it. I almost caught her. She was so close when we crossed the line. Funny, but I couldn't decide if I wanted the race to be longer so I'd have more time to pass her or just have the race be over already. But it wasn't my choice.

I saw the USAT official a lot on the run. One guy stopped twice and wrote stuff on his clipboard. I wondered, what can anyone be doing wrong on the run? Headphones is all that I could come up with.

I was pretty bummed thinking I was 4th until Linda R. finished and asked how I did. She demanded to know who was in front of me. Lori was the only name I knew. That's when she told me that Lori was in the du. I was so happy!!

Not much. It was a very difficult run. The humidity was like 97%, which made it hard to push the pace.

Linda and I were able to find a place to sit in the shade to have our second breakfast of the day. Then we ran into Judy who sat and chatted with us while we waited for our Mr. T medals.

I have to say that it was so hot sitting there.


The only negative was the guys working the water stop. They should've been more vocal.

The food was sponsored by Winnie's LeBus. It was excellent. I loved the fruit, yogurt and granola.

We were able to score some more swag at the mini expo they had after the race. Love the free stuff!

In conclusion, I think missing second place by one second is good for me. It will make me train harder. But seriously, one second!!!!!! I really couldn't catch her?