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 Swim
Comments: The swim was my biggest fear after a terrible experience at IB 2 weeks ago. But I did great!! Somehow i managed to swim directly out to the buoy (started to the left of the pack to avoid the riptide) while others were getting pulled off to the right. I could see them swimming diagonally towards me as I swam straight out. Merged with them at the first buoy. For the most part I found I had plenty of water to swim in without getting too clustered with other swimmers. I got a bit battered by some 6-7 foot waves coming back in but by then I didn't care!! What would you do differently?: Nothing!! I think I made the right choices early on - stay left, and take my time getting through the breakers. Maybe next time I won't worry so much about it before the fact!  Transition 1
Comments: I was lucky - my bike was at the closest end of the closest rack to the exit. I think my T1 was ok - packing stuff in my bag wasnt a big deal in the end. What would you do differently?: I'm not ready for the shoes being already clipped in the pedals, so I think what I did was fine.  Bike
Comments: My riding buddy is always pestering me that I don't drink enough on the bike. Not even a month ago I couldn't reach down for my water bottle. This race I drank a whole 24 oz bottle of water with lemon/lime endurance drink and ribose powder in it (I usually only drink water). I think that fuel made a huge difference in not getting too depleted. Just having learned the balance to do that makes me realize I'm always improving. What would you do differently?: From about mile 12 I was swearing either to get my saddle position adjusted or try a new saddle ... ouch!! Transition 2
Comments: I took my time at T2. I found my bag easily, although we were one of the furthest racks so I felt like I was running for ages with my bike. I ate some shot blocks and just regrouped myself. What would you do differently?: Nothing - I think taking a few seconds to rest and breathe was good.  Run
Comments: There was a big uphill at the beginning. I ran for most of it but walked the really steep part. I decided that keeping my heart rate in a reasonable range was better for my overall run performance than pushing myself up it just to say I did. Most everyone was walking on that part. The run went really fast - I couldn't believe that was 3 miles. Happy times!! I even was passing a bunch of people which felt good. What would you do differently?: Not sure. Post race
Warm down: Trying not to cry from the emotion of it all. I didn't stretch much but walked around alot, ate a Lara bar and drank lots of water. When we got back to the hotel I had some more ribose. What limited your ability to perform faster: I haven't really been in a structured training program - more just working out by myself, trying to cover all three disciplines. I know if I really committed myself and got onto a program, I could do better. Event comments: I had such a great experience. The week leading up to the race my fiance and I decided to separate and I started a new job. Coupled with the swim disaster at IB 2 weeks ago, I wasn't sure I even wanted to do this race. I actually just wanted it to be over. Having my (ex?) fiance and friends there helped alot in terms of support. I was scared of the swim, so once I had success with that I think it set the tone for the whole race. I came out of the water grinning and gave my friends the thumbs up!! I found the bike to be challenging being a bit uphill and longer than most sprint races, but overall did ok. The run was way easier/ shorter than I expected. The biggest buzz for me is that I ended up 4th in my age group. Of course, the sprint group was much smaller than olympic so I think there were only eighteen, but it still felt good. Going up on stage and getting a medallion while my friends cheered for me was such a buzz. I felt like a superstar!!!! I couldn't believe how great the whole experience was - it's really got me hooked on triathlon, especially having had a good swim - I needed that!! Everyone was really friendly too. My future goals are to get more organized and structured with my training, and next year be able to do the Olympic distance. I also would like to meet more people in the triathlon world - other than you guys I feel a little isolated with it. I am a member of the tri club of san diego but because of my work schedule and living between 2 different cities, it's really hard to make the group workouts. All in all, LA was a fantastic experience. If only every race could feel that good!! Last updated: 2006-09-11 12:00 AM
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United States
Sunny
Overall Rank = 174/462
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 4/18
I woke up at 6am and had a latte!! I try not to have coffee every day but save the effect for when I really need a little extra boost. Ate 2 bananas and set off for Venice. My buddy who was driving me in his duelly (?sp) managed to weasel through some of the closures and park right next to T1. My fiance, my best girl friend and my best guy friend were all there with me which was the biggest buzz of all - I felt so supported. Of course, my two dogs were there too.
We got there in plenty of time so I was able to get set up for T1. As opposed to Imperial Beach, the porta-potty lines were manageable!! I ate some shot-blocks and wriggled into my wetsuit. I did get in the water to warm up and was concerned that the riptide was really strong. Thankfully a life guard told me that it was worst in the warm up area so I hoped the swim course would be ok.