Pleasant Prairie Triathlon - International Race - TriathlonOlympic

Started off towards the back. Got in and was able to get into a decent rhythm pretty much right off the bat. Almost made it to the first bouy before being overtaken by light purple caps (the wave after me). Just kept swimming. I went a bit off course...a bit too far from the buoys, so I added a bit to the swim. At one time I looked up and saw a purple cap by me...turned out it was Terri...we were both off course, so we took off to get back to it. Made it around the second turn buoy and was then very glad that I'm good at bilateral breathing. I was able to switch it up and just breath to my right so I wasn't blinded by the sun. At least there is some talent there...made it out of the drink and trotted up to my transition spot.

It's about what I expected. Could have sighted better.

This was about right for a T1 for me...though I did feel a little clumsy with the shoes.

Racked bike differently or set up transition behind my bike. My seat is rather high, and where I'd placed my transition caused me to need to pull it out from under the racks...that doesn't work so well. Either that or they need to prop the racks up a bit higher.

I know this course, so I was ALMOST glad it was 2 loops of the sprint. The ALMOST part come in where the crowd was ridiculously heavy, and it was obvious people didn't know the rules. And then there were people who I KNEW should know the rules and broke them anyway (passing on the right is NOT cool, Mr. Aero Helmet Race Wheel Guy). I was not as aggressive as I could have been. I could have passed more. I would get freaked out by people passing me...plus the fact that I was trying to follow the no-drafting rules...made it slightly absurd. Either I need to become less legalistic, people need to pay more attention to the rules, or both. Bike marshals would have been nice...I'm sure they would have had a field day with all the violations.
The course itself is relatively flat with some rollers, a medium size hill going over a bypass that you have to go up and over 2x doing the Oly course. Stayed in my big chain until the end to let my legs feel again. I am happy to say that nothing went numb...fingers, toes, elsewhere, so I was happy with that.

Be more aggressive. I could have gone faster. Need to push more. But I was happy that I averaged over 16 mph

Yikes! This sucked! Normally my T2 time is much better. I over shot my rack and ended up going down the back side of where I should have been. They had let people who were finished back in to get their stuff (even though they said they weren't until the last bike was in), so they were in the way. I really wouldn't mind this if they would bother paying a bit more attention to the fact that some of us are still trying to go. Makes me very upset.

Go down the right side so I can grab my stuff. Ignore other people...or run into them if I have to.

If I could cross out the word "run" right now, I would. It was mostly a walk with a couple of slow trots here and there. It got hot and I was undertrained. I just kept going to I could finish and stop. When I hit the turn around, I started wondering if I might take off my socks and shoes and go jump back in the lake when I was done. My knees were hurting and just wanted me to stop. Saw a lot people people on their way back as I was on my way out. On the way back, it was pretty much me and a couple other people. The aid stations were still out there, but the people had left. They were good enough to leave the water and the gatoraid (I'd taken my water bottle with me, so I would just top off). About a mile or so out, I see 2 figures walking towards me, asking if there were any Donkeys out this way...I told them no. Heh. Clint and Jeff asked if they could join me, and I said only if they don't expect me to talk to them. They were fine with that, so they hung back and chatted with each other as I plodded my way along...trotting here, walking there. Wanting very badly to go under the fire hydrant they'd opened up to spray, but knowing that it would cause blisters (already had them anyway, didn't want to make them worse). I think I managed to jog the last 3/4 mile in...Jeff and Clint cheering me from behind, Terri and AJ waiting for me at the finish. Amy comes up before I'm done to give me a cold towel...my comment? "Could you let me finish, first?" I'm such a beyotch when I'm racing...don't talk to me, don't look at me, but don't leave me, either...ugh. Maybe I should mix Midol with my Heed...Anyway...trotted over the finish line and told the guy to hurry up cutting my timing chip off...I was swollen and it was starting to cut off my circulation. THEN I got the nice cold cloth...

Trained.

Walked around, talking to Donkeys. Got a nice cold washcloth from a volunteer (very nice). Road my bike back to my car (why did I do that?)


Lack of training...seems to be a trend with me.


Relatively good race. Will probably do it again. Need bike marshals out on the course. There were NONE, and LOTs of violations going on. I would also like it if they used the velcro timing chips instead of the bands...my ankles are thick and they don't fit well. I broke the first one I had...

Many thanks to my Donkey brothers and sisters who hung out til I was done. It really means more then I can say...and I hope I don't sound too grumpy when I tell you not to talk to me til I'm done. Thanks to others who couldn't stay but cheered me on when they saw me...