Swim
Comments: So I thought I had mentally prepared for the swim... I think it hindered me that I was a fast swimmer. I kept just swimming up on people, therefore not finding a rhythm at all. And I wasn't expecting such a low visibility in the water, so I actually ended up doing the breast stroke most of the way, which I hadn't trained for. Thus, my groin and hip have been killing me... And I was pretty traumatized by the whole thing by the time I got out of the water. What would you do differently?: I would try to start more to the front. It had been recommended that, as a first timer, I should start in the back left. Now I am thinking front left to avoid the fray of the inside, but stay in front and get some kind of rhythm. I would also be more aggressive instead of worrying about pummeling people with my arm or something. Transition 1
Comments: After the swim, I needed to get my head back into the race. I came out of the water with side aches up and down my abdomen and just completely out of it. It wasn't at all what I had expected, but I knew I could go on if I calmed down and got myself focused again. What would you do differently?: Be more prepared for the swim and then no need for re-composure. Really the transition itself was great. I intentionally slowed down to allow myself some time to focus. Bike
Comments: I had a couple of women cycling at about the same speed, so it was nice to know I wasn't completely left behind... I didn't push very hard on the bike. It was pretty leisurely for the most part. I think it was so relaxed because I didn't want to push too hard and overdo it. What would you do differently?: I need more practice on pushing myself enough when cycling. I would go faster, cycle smarter. And keep off my wrists more: the pressure builds and becomes painful about halfway into it. Transition 2
Comments: I was lucky enough to be using a WalMart Special bike from the early 90s, so no change in shoes... What would you do differently?: It was quick enough for me for now... Run
Comments: Nice steady pace, slow enough to talk. Never stopped running. And for someone who hates to run, that was quite a goal. I kept to my pace as planned and then finished strong with a sprint for the last 100 yards. What would you do differently?: Start working on a faster pace with more of a "running" perspective rather than "jogging." Post race
Warm down: Walked around for approximately 10 minutes, then swam in the lake for a bit. What limited your ability to perform faster: Lack of experience with swimming in open water with 100 other people. Lack of experience in cycling at higher speeds. Injury prevention in running. Event comments: I had a great time. The whole triathlon experience was awesome. People were so encouraging and inspiring. I will definitely keep training for triathlons and do them at least twice if not more per year. This was a great starting point and a good course to keep me challenged enough but also happy with my performance. I was happy to finish and even happier that I finished under 2 hours (even if it was by only 9 seconds...) Last updated: 2006-06-08 12:00 AM
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United States
Midwest Multisport
Sunny
Overall Rank = 500/535
Age Group = Under 35 Female
Age Group Rank = 19/19
Evening before: drove through course and walked around the transition area. Set up transition gear on hotel bed to make sure I had everything. Wrote down reasons why I was doing this and read a bit of "What makes a Strong Woman" before I went to sleep (10:30pm). Woke up at 4:30am to get dressed and eat breakfast (1 bagel with cream cheese and a glass of cranberry juice) before being on the road by 5:15am. Arrived at the transition site by 6am to get set up. Walked through transition area to visualize what I was doing when (how many rows until my bike, etc.). Used the Port-a-potty for my morning restroom stop. :) Then just relaxed and took everything in before the pre-race meeting.
Waded in the water to feel the temp. Stretched legs and arms a little bit. A quick dive and swim a couple times before our wave went off.