Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park - TriathlonSprint

This was probably the worst swim I've had in terms of getting hit, kicked, and knocked around by swimmers. I'm usually able to get out ahead of the big pack and find one or two swimmers to draft from. This time, I got trapped between 2 girls who kept squeezing in closer and closer. I was hoping they'd give me a little room and spread out some (since I was hitting them too), but not a chance. This went on for the first 250 meters! So, after getting hit 20 times, I finally swam breast stroke around to the other side of the girl on my left. Finally, I broke away from the other girls and started getting into my rhythm. I felt pretty strong during the last half of the course. I ran into a couple of the guys, but I was able to swim around them without too much trouble. I kept thinking to myself that this was my chance to get as big of a lead as I could...knowing I'd probably get caught on the run if I didn't. I have a friendly rival that I compete against in every race. Her and I are so closely matched that we usually finish less than a minute apart. Last year I had a good year and beat her in every race after I got my tri bike. But so far this year, she's beat me in both of the races where we've competed. I must say, she's definitely improved her run times, so I'm not upset to lose to her. She's having a great season so far. But there's still that spark in me that loves competition. She usually finishes at the top 1 or 2 in our age group, so, at the very least, I use her to gage where I am in our age group. I know that if I finish near her, then I will most likely walk away with a medal. Which is my goal at each race.
So, during the swim, I concentrated on long smooth strokes with breathing every 3-5 strokes. I kept telling myself that I'd be able to catch my breath on the bike. So, I just pushed a little harder than normal.
Not sure if others do this as much, but I talk to myself a lot during a race. It helps me overcome the physical paing that I'm in. :)

Break away from people sooner. I kept thinking that I could either swim faster and get ahead of the two that I was sandwiched between, or they would give me some room. Neither happened. So, I just need to let them go in front of me and swim around them. Or draft off them if they're going my speed.

I wasn't too happy with where my bike was in transition. I had a long way to run with my bike during T1 & T2. But, overall, I'm happy with my time. I also made sure to put an endurolyte in my shirt pocket so I'll have it to take during the run start. After the cramp in my last race, I learned my lesson.
Second fastest T1 time for all females!

I am going to practice leaving my shoes on my pedals and slipping into them once I'm on the bike. I've still been hesitant to try this. Not sure why. But I just need to practice a few times and I should be fine. I'll try this for Nationals.

Well, I started off at a good pace and got into a good rhythm after the first steep hill. Then, about mile 5, I saw this girl in an blue top pass me. And I thought, oh shit, there goes Elaine. According to Steve, I came out of the water before her and I thought I had a decent lead. But apparently she was having a great day on the bike. She sped right by me and just kept getting further and further away. I told myself that if I could at least keep her in view, then maybe I could catch her on the run. Okay, who was I kidding. She's one of the best runners out there. I don't have a chance. So, I decided to just race my hardest with the goal of beating my bike time from last year. I was happy to see that I beat last year's time by 4 minutes! Yay!

Just spend more time on the bike training. I haven't riden my bike since my last race 3 weeks ago. I did spinning class twice, but I need to bike more. It's just hard to do with such a demanding job and Atlanta traffic.

T2 sucked only because I had a long hill to run up with my bike. But other than that, I transitioned pretty fast. I took my helmet off during the long run up, which saved some time. I racked my bike, slipped on my shoes, grabbed my race belt, visor, and garmin and headed out for the run. As I'm doing all this, I hear Steve yelling at me to hurry and telling me I have about 2 minutes on Elaine. I thought, "What? Elaine already passed me. He must mean I have to gain 2 minutes to catch up with Elaine."

Notta.
Fastest T2 time for all females!

I started off fumbling around with my watch trying to get it secured on my wrist. Once that was on, it was time to kick my cadence up. I ran up the hill and onto pavement. During the turn around, I passed 2 girls. Not sure if they were in my age group or not. Then, after the turn around, is when I saw Elaine. Behind me! What? I could have sworn that was her on the bike that passed me. Damn, I guess it was someone else. That's when it was time to test my mental toughness. I felt strong, but this is how all the races this year have been. I have a lead going into the run, but then she catches me around mile 2 and blows right by. So, I had to decide if I really wanted to beat her or not. I felt good and thought, "You know what? I can do this. I beat her several times last year and I've got a bit of a lead now. So, if I can just keep my pace on the flats and power up the hills at a good rate, then maybe I can hold her off. If she does pass me, then I'll just try staying behind her and hope to out-sprint her at the finish." Yes, I have long conversations with myself during these races. :) Anyways, after the turn around, I swallowed an endurolyte tablet to make sure I don't start cramping like I did at the last race. I kept looking at my watch to see my pace. It ranged anywhere from 8 to 6:30 min/mile. Because of all the hills, I really didn't have a good feel for what my pace really was. So, I just concentrated on keeping my cadence high and toughing it up the hills. Coming down the 2nd loop, I saw Hugh (who was ahead of me and finishing the loop) and we cheered for each other. Then, when I was at the end of the loop, I heard my name and saw Leslie. I couldn't really yell back because it was a tough hill, but I gave her a big smile and waved. After I passed the 2 mile mark, I started listening very closely. I kept waiting for the pitter patter of Elaine's quick feet approaching me from behind. But I heard nothing. As I approached the final hill, I saw the girl who I previously thought was Elaine up ahead. I managed to pass her on the hill knowing I'm almost done. Then I saw Steve. He had run up from the finish to cheer me on before the last turn. After that hill, the course turns right and follows through woods downhill to the finish. At this point, I had no idea how far back anyone in my age group was. Until Steve yelled, "You better hurry! She's coming up right behind you!" That's when I realized, if I didn't sprint the rest of the way, she's going to catch me. So, I asked myself, "Do you want to win? Do you want to beat her? You bet!" So, I sucked it up and ran as hard as I could through the woods and sprinted to the finish line. YAY! I was so glad it was over! :) As I took my chip off and grabbed a water, I looked behind me. And sure enough, there was Elaine finishing strong and only 13 seconds behind me. Wow. What a race!

Notta. I gave it my all and ran hard. I need to remember that racing is so mental and if I tell myself that I can do it, then I can. It's that simple...sort of. :)

Warm down? Walking around talking to everyone is my warm down. :)


I would probably have to say it was the rough swim and lack of training on the bike. Note to self, BIKE MORE!


To sum it up, I finished 1st in my age group and 7th overall. I felt great and I know I pushed hard. No matter what place I finish, as long as I know that I gave it my all and that I didn't let any negative thoughts let me slack off at all, then I consider that a great race! And this one definitely was.