UCLA IronBruin Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

So, in my arrogant way, I sprinted and many sprinted around me. About a lap into this odd swim, I felt tired and winded. I had gone out too hard. Not only that, but I was realizing that by flaking on swimming lately, I had not only not gained any fitness, but had lost some. That was a little scary to realize.

I dropped back to a comfortable pace and accepted that a PB was not going to happen. However, I really can't compare this to OW swimming, so it is a benchmark for all future pool swims.

The course was tight and I never felt like I got a piece of water. There were constant elbows and kicks all around. In the second lap (or was it the third) I saw Dolores cheering and waved at her. At some point I glanced at my watch to see it was at 7.5 minutes already. So much for being out of the water in 7 minutes! On the last half lap I sprinted to get around the girl nearest to me. I got to the steps, started climbing out, and heard who I assume was Dolores and Yanti cheering. I was afraid if I looked up I'd fall flat on my ass. I got my caps and goggles off and ran into T1.

I need to get in two swims a week. Period. None of this 0-1 swims crap. I'm a swimmer. This is where I should do well. This is where I should be FOP. I don't know my age group rank yet, but I went 2:11 per 100. That's pretty sad, since I have gone 1:42 per 100 in the ocean. Oh well. Also, I never sprint that hard at the start of an OW race. I think the pool combined with the shorter distance, caused me to go out too hard.

Turns out I wasn't in the first row, because we had to run through the middle. Oh well. I felt a tad winded and dizzy, so I took my time. It was nice to not have to deal with getting a wetsuit off. I got my shirt on, but stuggled with my socks and bike shoes. Helmet, gloves and glasses went on smoothly. I then saw Faeron walking to the pool and wished her luck. I did walk to the mount line just because I was worried about clipping in before the big downhill on De Neve and didn't want to do so tired or winded. Also, because of the whole two transition area thing, I had to quickly throw a few things into my backpack and make sure it was zipped up. That added a little time.

I really should "race" T1, but the extra minute or two it takes me to deal with the dizziness and get my HR down a little seems worth it and beneficial to the bike leg. I think I did okay.

So, here was the part I was dreading the most. I was the only one at the bike mount at the time, so I took my time. I struggled a little to clip in, but got it. I headed down De Neve which is a steep downhill. I still get scared on downhills, especially ones with sharp turns at the bottom, so I rode the brakes. We made a left at one of the many Charles Young streets. I'd like to know who Charles Young is and why every damn street at UCLA is named after him. I'm sure there are bruins out there shocked at me not knowing who he is...but I don't! I do know Wooden, but he only gets a building (and Yanti's right...it is brick! ;) )

There was a nice downhill past the intermural field where I did feel comfortable opening up and going fast. It felt good. I crossed Westwood and was now going through a parking lot that ran parallel to Sunset. There was a very gradual climb here...no biggy. It got a little steeper as we turned onto Stone and back onto another Charles whoever drive. By the top of the climb, my quads were pretty mad at me and plotting their revenge, but I didn't have to get off the bike. Also, my left calf was really sore, so as I made the right onto another Charles street, I think. I tried stretching it on the downhills.

The back side here was a little bumpy. Had to watch the potholes and speed bumps...but really...the whole course was that way. I turned right at Circle and had time to grab some gatorade. I was thirsty! I made a left on Charles whatever you call it. There was construction back here so the road was a tad dicey. I enjoyed the nice downhill, before the right hand turn onto Westwood. I headed up Westwood and took a left on Swathmore. The course was nice in the fact that with the spaced out waves, it wasn't crowded...but I knew what was coming. I went in the tunnel under the field and headed up making the right onto the dreaded climb up Charles "all damn streets are named after me" Young Dr. for the climb from hell. Plan was to climb as high as I could, and walk the rest without stressing about having to do it.

I turned and started climbing. The beginning was one of the steepest parts. My quads were burning immediately, so I got off. I was scared of getting to a part that was too steep then not clipping out in time, and falling. So, I got off all of 30 feet into the climb and decided to walk. So far, no other walkers...just me. I walked...and walked...and walked.

I then turned left on De Neve and walked...and walked...and walked. At this point, I didn't have the determination that I had in Catalina to finish no matter what. I wanted to quit, and considered doing just one lap, taking a DNF, then doing the run for a workout. But, the angel on my should prevailed and I kept plodding along. A few people yelled words of encouragement, which I really appreciated. I finally walked ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP and got back on the bike. It was nice to be clipped in again. I went down De Neve and started lap 2. I was better able to predict where potential problems were this lap and know where I could open up and go fast. I was able to get in a gel and more fluids on the back side near Circle.

The ride went along beautifully until the big, badass hill. I just got off right away and started walking. There was a 10 year old boy who passed me at the time. As I got up to De Neve there was a man who got off and walked as well. He said that it was embarassing that his 10 year old son was beating him. I laughed and mentioned how my 5 year old can run faster than me. He got back on and rode away.

On this lap I had Faeron and Yanti go by...I think Matt and Dolores did too, but that could have been lap 3. Those laps start running together after a while. Later I saw another woman walking which made me feel better. Got to the top and felt much more positive. If I can walk it two times, I can walk it four times. I knew I could finish this race, even if it did take all day. With each lap, there were several volunteers that kept recognizing me and were fun to chat with. Coolest volunteers of any race yet, I have to say.

The small hill was tougher each time, but I climbed it each time. On the walking climb number three there were even more walkers and nice people to talk to. I heard a lot of encouragement and was surprised to see even some of the diehard super-triathlete looking folks struggling, and huffing and puffing up the hill.

I was excited to start my final lap. I saw Faeron and Yanti already running. Wow! They're fast! I hated to face De Neve again, but was glad it would be the last time. There were a lot of walkers this time. Once I looked back to see three behind me and felt much better. One woman walked and talked with me a while. It was her first tri and the bike route had kicked her ass too. She was saying that she thought the bike would be her best, but was wrong. I told her she was brave for doing her first tri on this course. We both agreed that we should have known better than to sign up for this. She was a faster bike walker than me, so I wished her luck as she headed off ahead of me.

The top of De Neve finally came and it was a glorious feeling. I giddily rode down to T2! The long bike ordeal was over! Woo hoo!

Um...know the bike route before I sign up for a freaking race. That might help! ;) I vow to run all race plans by GailG before signing up! I should have more aggressively ridden on the easier parts, but I was often conserving energy. Also, I haven't done enough bike training since I fell. I also haven't done any hill climbing whatsoever. So, I need to make that the focus of my training now.

I ran into T2 so happy to be done. I racked the bike and pulled off my first bike shoe. I put my foot down and the ground was sopping wet and muddy. Yuck! My sock was now wet. Lovely. I got my shoes, helmet, and gloves off quickly, then put on running shorts, shoes, cap and race belt. I waved to Faeron who was done and headed toward the run out.

Not put my foot on the wet ground...but I had no idea. Otherwise, I was good.

So I ran out of T2 and was stoked to see a water station...until they handed me a dixie cup of it. Seriously? An ounce of water? What's up with that? But, I figured I'd get more water on the course. To make the course 2.7 miles we had to do these odd switchback on the field, so I played along.

I left the field, went left, and hung a right at the giant bear ass. Westwood was a nice downhill run. I took it easy just warming up my legs. My lower back was really hurting, so I did stop for a second to stretch it out. I was surprised to see how many people were still on the bike course. I turned left at Charles whatever and headed up a hill. My left calf was really bugging, so I stopped for a minute to stretch my calves.

As I continued up the hill, Matt ran by. I turned left, looked at my watch and thought I should be closing in on a one-mile marker and ade station any time now (insert cricket sounds here). It never came. I couldn't believe it. No mile markers. No ade stations. No water. I couldn't believe I was going to complete 3 hours of racing on 24 oz. of Gatorade and mouthful of water. I just wish the race director had mentioned this, as I would have carried water. Oh well. I continued running and was in less back pain and enjoying myself. I saw several squirrels and a dog. Cute. I stopped to pick a daisy to put behind my ear. I can't take myself too seriously, especially when it takes me 3 hours to complete a race that the winner did in an hour.

I got to the top of the hill and it was all downhill at that point! Yay! One rather ballsy squirrel ran out onto the path and stopped right in front of me. I said something to him, then looked back relieved that no other runner was there to witness my delirious attempt to converse with a squirrel. I needed water. I hung a left at Westwood, and I ran through campus and just marvelled at how pretty the buildings are there. Random thought. I hung a right at the bear and was close...so close.

As I turned at the intermural field Yanti, Faeron, and a guy who I now know was cashmason were cheering for me. Yanti ran in with me which was very cool. I could see that the race clock was just under three hours. I sprinted to try to beat the three hour mark, but my calves had other ideas. So, I slowed up a tad and crossed the timing pad at 3:00.24. Yanti went back to wait for Dolores and I was off in search of much needed water.

I shouldn't have sprinted at the end, knowing my calves were sketchy. I wish I had brought water, but didn't know I had to. Otherwise, it was my best hilly run. I do better on flats, but other than to stretch and pick flowers, I didn't stop. I never had to walk out of fatigue or anything.

Okay...so fine...no water on the run...but there's got to be bottled water at the end...right? Ya'd think...but there was none. There were strange grape juices and energy drinks...even bagels, but no water. I finally went back to the dixie cup table and just guzzled cup after cup of wonderfully cold water.

I walked around to warm down and stretched a little. I then headed back to pack up my transition bag, get my inhaler, get my endurox, and call my husband. There was a great expo after so I walked around that for a while. I found all the BTers after we hung out waiting for the raffle. I got a free massage and all I can say it ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I wish I could get one of those every time. I loved it. I then ran into a former student, Andy. He was in my integrated science class back in 2000-01 and is now 24. It was cool to talk to him.

Although I didn't win any of the raffle prizes, I did walk away with a LA Tri Club license plate frame and some new socks. I got my gear back to the car, was shocked to see I hadn't gotten a ticket, then drove to Westwood to meet everyone for lunch. We had a fun lunch and nothing tastes better than fried junk food after a long race! Mmmmmmmmmm...


The biggest issue was that I've been very inconsistent with training. I lost more fitness than I realized. I need to do a lot better with that. Also, this course was a tad out of my league, but at least I finished!


Ironbruin is a fun race. The swim is a little wacky, the bike is grueling, and the run is void of water...but overall it was a fun race with great volunteers, a fun expo, schwag and a kick-ass goody bag. It's a great sprint for anyone who like hills!