Sheriff's Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Felt comfortable and calm and just swam. I did some turns to much and swam toward the the lane dividers which I never do when I swim.

Last year 6:12; 64 our of 97
This year 6:18; 74 our of 144
Hit my goal...close enough



I was within 12 seconds of last year which surprised me as my swims are slower...racing is what counts so happy with this. I like pool swim tris as being a slow swimmer doesn't hurt me as much.

I probably passed 10 folks in T1 and with folks starting every 20 seconds; some were really slow putting on tight fitting jerseys on wet cold bodies. I opted to put on my Craft cycling jacket...as I don't race well when cold.

I had a great rack spot last rack and since I was early got the outside spot.

Goal was to keep power really close to 160 watts for first 5' and see how I felt and push it up. This course is rolling hills so it was hard to dial in the power...going up hills I shifted down more than I would normally as my power would go 225-275. Downhills I had to really push to get power up to. It was different racing with the powermeter as I've never done it before. I pushed it up trying to stay around 175 after the 5' and my legs were burning and I wondered if I pushed to hard to soon. My HR was hovering around 161 which is very high for me on the bike and I was breathing very heavy which in races normally I don't breath this heavy. I think racing with the powermeter helped me push to a level I normally wouldn't do.End of the course I pushed up more.

At the get go I passed a bunch of women, just flew by them, two guys passed me within the 1st mile...then this one guy in his 20's we played cat and mouse. He'd pass me on the uphills when I was going easier than I normally would...then I'd fly by him on the downhills...I'm more areo as he was riding a road bike...can't compete to my K Factor!

It was windy in parts and the hills were bigger than I recall from last year.

Pushed power up as race progressed NP 1st half 168 avg HR 159, 2nd half NP 171 avg HR 161. It was challenging but increase power thru race as goal, but have room to improve dialing in power numbers and sticking to it. I was on the edge of my limits and it was hard & painful...strange this race I liked the run more than the bike...first for me...since it hurt less.

1st Athena..won Athena overall by doing well on bike. Top 20% overall...sweet for being 45 and a women...6th fsstest bike split for women.

Distance/pace are wrong as Powertap is measuring wrong.
Ludlow Race:
Duration:27:15
Work: 255 kJ
TSS: 30.6 (intensity factor 0.845)
Norm Power:169
VI: 1.02
Distance:7.914 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 0-447-165 watts
Heart rate:151-166-159 bpm
Cadence:37-118-98 rpm
Speed: 0-29.5-17.2 mph
Pace:2:02-0:00- 3:29 min/mi
Hub Torque:0-297-61 lb-in
Crank Torque:0- 1020-143 lb-in

Last year: 31:36 or 16.5 mph; 56/97
This year: 27:14 or 19.9 mph; 26/145
Bike Goal: 26-28, gain 3:30-5:30; met improved 4:22

I need to learn to control my power closer to goal watts when racing and also when riding a course with hills. I can do it well on the trainer...but it is much harder outside.

My legs felt strange and more effected than normal getting off the bike..hamstrings didn't think walking or running was a good idea and my feet were numb from being cold.

I was slow for me in T2 as I took off my Craft jacket and with the cold (maybe 48 no sun and windy) it was hard to move fast; my extra inhaler was stuck in toe of my shoes and I struggled to get it out; did my asthma inhaler in T2 while putting on my shoes.

Check the insides of my shoes...not be so cold?

Quickly my legs felt relatively good and I was able to keep my form and run cadence high. I saw the first finishers come back in (they started up to 23 minutes before me), and there were some nice encouraging comments from fast folks which is rare.

A couple folks passed me right away and I passed someone..often very rare occurance. Then I was alone for a long while. Being the numbers geek I am, I'd check numbers to see how I was doing relative to others...those with lower numbers than my starting 71 I knew I did faster s/b then they. I didn't see anyone I recall with a higher number pass me until last .5 mile...so I was pacing average.

I was in a good place running, body was good and I was felt for me racing I was running fast. At about 1.5 miles a women who could be an Athena passed me, she was 24 or 27, so I checked her number...58...so math helps here...she started 13 people before me with 20' per person, I figured she'd have to beat me to the finish by 4-5 minutes to beat me overall time if she was racing Athena. I stayed pretty close to her and my breathing became louder & harder but I found the right balance or pace that I could maintain. I think I picked it up from about 2-3 miles and tried not sure I was successful in the final stretch uphill into the wind.

I felt I did my best and actually enjoyed the run portion of a tri which is a first for me. The other thought was that I was well prepared for this (thanks to Will) and that the distance felt doable & challenging but one I could tackle and really give it my all.

Last year: 32:55 or 10:17 m/m; 84/97
This year: 30:37 or 9:25 m/m; 74/145
Goal was: 27-31, gain 2-6 minutes; Met goal; improved 2:18

Injuries in off season from Oct. to March hampered my running time; improved technique really making a differencet.

Keep working on running...really want to get in the 8's for sprints.

Finished, caught my breath, got a banana and then brought my bike to the car and had my post workout nonfat yogurt.

Checked the result board and looked on 2nd page as I'm always there or below...can't find my name...hmm...look on page one starting on the bottom, I can't find my name, ahhh there I am....I'm 2nd overall and 1st female...I'm like wow...look at that 46 minutes I was smoking fast, but knew it was wrong.

I go into the RD's RV and point out there was a mistake; their response was you'll move down when more folks came in; I'm no I didn't do the race in 46 minutes maybe 1:07-1:08. Yes they had entered my start time wrong...but for 15' I was #2 OA....it was funny.

They bring out new results and I still can't find myself....amazing I've moved up from page 3 or even page 2, I'm on the bottom of page 1!!!

I'm first Athena....first time that I've won with others competing in my division...and I'm 60th overall...man higher than the middle! Last year I was 80/94 and this year 60/144.2nd Athena was 2 minutes behind me so my run math was spot on. I would have placed 2nd in my AG if I had opted to compete that way....hmmm If I had raced in 40-44 I would have won...weird placements but it wasn't a big race and it is early in the season.

This first race the bike was harder than the run for me. Running when it is 48 is perfect for me and I'm pretty sure I was on the edge as to how hard I could push the power on the bike.

New goal sub 1:00 for this race...give me couple years maybe 2009..it will take awhile.


genetics, age, being a women....list is endless.

Today I really nailed the race and feel good how I did from start to finish. I feel this was the best paced race I've done ever in the last 4 years in that I parceled out my energy in a smart way and gave it my all and left it all out there.

I hit my time goals for s/b/r and overall goal of improvement...did 6:18


Easy to get to off Mass Pike, parking is great 50 yds from transition, facilities are excellent with enough restrooms, pool is clean, and you can take a shower afterwards...all adds up to good early season race.As folks keep finishing they frequently update the results.Awards were given out quickly which is nice.