Lone Star Triathlon Festival - Quarter - TriathlonOlympic

I FELL IN!!! I must have been bumped or something because all I know is I had not jumped and I was falling into the water. I swallowed a huge mouthfull of nasty Galveston saltwater and couldn't breathe through the entire swim and the bike because my lungs burned so badly. So, TERRIBLE start. I made my way coughing and gagging to the start bouys and couldn't get up front, so that sucked as pre-fall I was hoping to place in the top 2 of the swim and wanted to be out front. It was a crazy start, I got kicked, punched, beat up, and couldn't breathe. The breathing was a huge problem because I couldn't speed up quickly to break away which was my plan and has worked for me in the past. So, I struggled. I felt like my "swim" was more along the lines of organized drowning then actual swimming. I had one girl who was really fighting me the whole way. She was on the outside and keeping right next to me, even pushing me into slower swimmers as we'd catch them. She was really making me mad with that so after 10+ minutes of her I found my out. The bouy was coming and it was on her side. I pushed her to the outside, swam with my left shoulder up against it and she had no choice but to drop back to get around it. I felt a bit better getting rid of her, but not much. I had no energy and never did get into my rhythm which was really upsetting to me.

Not fall off the dock and swallow tons of salt water before beginning. Also, defog the goggles because I couldn't site at all due to the fog.

I was so incredibly discombobulated from such a bad swim I had no idea what I was doing when I got out of the water. I saw my parents cheering me on at the waters edge and smiled and seriously contemplated just dropping out of the race right then to go hang out with them and try to breath. My heart rate was in the high 180s after exiting the water. I swim train at maybe 140-150, so my hr being that high was really bad. I also forgot about the wetsuit! I was almost at the strippers when I realized I hadn't unzipped and pulled down the top. Luckily I managed just in time and those girls ripped the thing off before my butt hit the ground - it was great! I spent a few minutes in transition trying to compose myself and get myself going for the bike ride.

Double checked my feet were dry - they were soaked by the end of the run! Actually, learn to ride without socks, that will alleviate the problem altogether.

Sucky sucky sucky. For a variety of reasons. First, I couldn't breath. My lungs were burning with every breath and I kept threatening to throw up all that seawater. Then my heartrate was way too high because I couldn't get enough oxygen in with my breaths. Finally (as if I wasn't doing badly enough) the stinken wildflowers clogged up my allergies. I actually had to take out tissues and blow my nose a few times during the ride, but I was completely restricted to mouth only breathing. Therefore, I couldn't eat because every time I tried I stopped breathing. Fun stuff! I compensated by drinking more. Stupid - now I need a bathroom! 10 miles to go and I thought I was going to pop. And I still couldn't breath. I so wanted off of that bike! Plus, I wasn't crazy about the route - flat as far as the eye can see which was just torturous. I like turns and hills, I guess I'm crazy like that.

Maybe try taking some allergy medications so my nose doesn't clog up. This will enable me to fuel better

This might possibly be the worst transition EVER. Wow, I felt like a complete moron when it was all said and done. I had to pee worse then ever before by the time I hit transition. So, my only thought in transition was "hurry up and get to the port-o-potty". It showed. I apparently racked my bike on the wrong number. Just one off so it didn't cause any problems since the girl on the other side just took my spot. I didn't notice until after the race when I picked up my bike. But, it was much worse then that.

I got into transition, racked my bike incorrectly, pulled off my bike shoes and on my running shoes and off I went. Oops...forgot my race belt. Turned back to get the race belt and was off again. Oops, my goggles had gotten tied up to the race belt. Turned around to return the goggles. Then ran to the port-o-potty. Realized there I still had my bike gloves on. Then realized the horrible truth - my helmet is still on my head! So, it was back to my bike after my port-o-potty break. I can't believe the total time was under 5 mintues, I thought for sure I was looking at a 7+ minute transition

Go one last time before the swim instead of hoping it would go away OR go before the bike rather then having such an emergency by the end of the bike. Also try to time my hydration better.

This part of the race was MUCH faster then I thought it would be. My heart rate was super high and I couldn't recover it, but my breathing was a bit better then on the bike as I had regained use of my nose.

During every other race I've done, I wished I had my run splits. So, I finally wised up and wore my timex. I clicked the button at each mile marker and was amazed to see my first few splits - sub 9s!!! Then, towards the end, we were out in the open with no shade and the sun came out. It was hot and painful and my splits show it. The hottest one is painfully obvious!

Overall - besides the heat and being thirsty I felt really good on the run. Somehow, this non-runner who could not run to the end of her driveway almost exactly a year ago felt BEST during the run. Better then during the swim (her main love) and the bike! Something has clicked, and I like it. I look forward to my runs and the biggest breakthrough of all was wanting the bike to be over today so that I could do the run. To quote the tackling alzheimer patient on Scrubs: "Who am I?!?!".

My only complaint is I just missed breaking an hour. By HALF A SECOND! If I had started my final sprint about 2 inches earlier I could have broken an hour. But, how was I to know? I was hurting and didn't want to kick it into high gear too early - I've done that too many times during my training runs so I went a little too conservative. The finish line was around a corner so I couldn't judge how far away it was. I should have known by the crowds, but hindsight is 20/20, right?

My final burst of speed was incredible. I caught the guy in front of me (so sorry, I didn't mean to as I hate when someone catches up right at the end) and as I came down the chute I heard the announcer say something about them "not being able to stop this girl, she is moving", so apparently I looked like I was moving, not just felt that way :-)

Overall, besides the hot part, I loved the run - best part by far of this race. Now, to those aliens who have replaced me with someone who likes to run, can I have my body back now? Please? My husband is getting worried about me...


Carried my own water. The race guide said there would be water every mile. Technically there was, but the first wasn't for over 1.5 miles and I was absolutely dying by the time I reached it. I probably should have carried an extra gu. I took mine at the first water station but I was so far behind on my nutrition from the bike I could have used it around mile 4.

I also would have remembered there is a camera at the finish line. I ran through and started playing with my watch. Stupid! All the pictures they have I'm playing with my watch. Oh well, saves me a few bucks because I won't want to buy those pictures, right?

Tried not to pass out upon stopping. Walked around, celebrated with my parents, Chad and Brittany. Then went to get some food. Had a hard time eating because I could still taste the salt water and all my body wanted to do was puke. The food really helped that until a few minutes later when it was all digested and I could feel the salt water threatening again.


Salt water in my lungs - OW!


I really like End or Fun, they put on a great race. But I won't do this race again. I really disliked the bike course, I got very bored with it. In fact, during the 2nd half of the bike ride all I could think is, I'm glad Dad and I are doing Vancouver this time next year, gives me a good excuse to not sign up for this race in '09.

I'm not sure I would do an early season race again because of the allergy thing. And I really hated the wetsuit so I'd rather wait for the water to warm up next year. I'm really glad I did it and I'm really proud of my performance given my horrible start, but I probably will skip this race next year.