Rockman sprint triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I think this was long. I never swim that slowly. And certainly not in open water. If the course were a true 400 M my time would have been something more like 6:30-6:45 at the most. This was probably about 600 M. Or maybe 600 Yards.

Nothing. I found a guy and drafted off him for most of this. He didn't look like he was going that fast, but he got us out of the water in pretty good time. We swam through the wave ahead of us. I think I was one of the first chicks to exit the swamp. Definitely top 10.

Business only. I have a hard time focusing during transitions sometimes. I made myself settle down, pay attention to the task at hand, and just do what I was there to do... which was gather my bike, shoes, helmet, etc and get out onto the bike course.

Nothing.

Wind was everywhere. I couldn't tell where it was coming from. Seemed to be from every angle. I was hoping for a 38ish for this bike split, but given the wind and the unflat terrain (not HILLY, but definitely inclines), and the issues I had... I am not displeased...

Issues... what were the issues? Well, it was VERY humid. And rather cloudy... I tried to wear my sunglasses, but they fogged up immediately, so I took them off... and placed them in the canyon between my boobs. Riding in aero... and, well, they fell out... right onto the bike course. My $100+ Oakleys! I considered leaving them... but I went back for them. Several people came within inches of smashing them flat. I picked them up and rode the rest of the bike course with my Oakleys jammed down my pants. Funny thing was... I had just passed this group of guys... then I lost my glasses. I turned around, picked them up, and then had to RE-PASS these guys again. I almost felt like saying..."Sorry you're getting passed by the same girl twice..."

Then, later in the ride, as I was flying around a corner, I misjudged and flew off the road and onto the gravel shoulder... and into the grass. WTF? Controlled it nicely, though, but couldn't hop back on the pavement. So I had to unclip, get onto the road, reclip and get going again. And re-pass whoever passed me AGAIN.

Not lose my glasses... I probably shouldn't have even taken them along... it was cloudy, overcast, and the air was thick as soup. I didn't need sunglasses, I could have used a scuba tank, though!

Fine T2. Again, business oriented. Yanks helped immensely. Don't know why I stopped using them a couple of years ago. Have started again. They do make these things waaaaaaay faster.

Not much.

So as I was coming into T2, the guy standing at the transition area says..."You're the 3rd woman in off the bike"... I was like... "WHAT?" (Although I hadn't seen many women on the course... and actually, all the people I passed were guys...) I was flabberghasted. So I grabbed my visor, and shoes and started running.

Chris later told me the closest woman was 4 minutes behind me.

I said to myself... "OK, well, I'm not that strong of a runner, but we'll see how long I can hold her off..." And I ran like my shorts were on fire. It was hilly in spots, so I walked up some of the hills... but ran the majority. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel miserable... But I didn't really want the next chick to pass me right away... I figured she'd get me, I just didn't know when...

And she got me right by the turn around. That's OK, she wasn't in my age group. I got passed by 2 other girls as well... and there were 2 ahead of me, so that put me in 6th place for the chicks.

And it gave me a new 5K PR.

I was originally worried that the course was short... because I have never run that fast... not during training, not EVER... but according to the RD, the route was re-measured this morning, and it was accurate. God, I still do wonder, though...

Um, NOTHING. I'm stunned this went this well. I have been working my run ALOT this year... but my knees have been feeling questionable... I honestly didn't know what today would bring.

Cross finish line... have a volunteer ask me if I needed help. (Yes. That's how I looked...picture it in your mind...it's scary) and got some water. Staggered around. Saw dumpster and Laura (STT) and marveled at my performance. I stood there for a while with my mouth gaping open.


I could have had a solid 20 mph bike split, but it was VEEEEEEEEERY windy.


I went into this today with a completely open mind and relaxed attitude. I wanted to see what I could do without the mental pressure of timing myself and watching my speed or wondering if I was hitting an interval. I had no speedometer on my bike, and no watch on my wrist. I just WENT. And it was good. :)