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 Swim
Comments: That time also includes about an 1/8mi run to the transition area, so that means my actual swim should have been closer to my goal time of 10-11 min. The lake was actually a little too warm for my liking, I would've liked it to be in the low- to mid-70s (without a wetsuit... does that make me sick?) but overall it wasn't bad. I started out in the front of the heat and made sure I was in what I thought was a perfect spot - by myself, in back of the first pack. I hate jockeying for a spot, but I was holding the same pace as the lead group and probably should have stayed with them to draft. Ah well. I had a hard time sighting the last buoy due to the sun and the remaining swimmers from the first heat. The people helping us out of the finish area were champs and I skated up that ramp like a pro thanks to them! What would you do differently?: Not entirely sure... probably pace with the lead group. Swimming's my strong sport and I feel like I rocked it pretty well!  Transition 1
Comments: Wow. Okay, I thought I would be the tough little newbie triathlete and put on my bike shorts after the swim with no problem instead of shelling out big money for a tri suit. I now understand how wonderful those things must be. I wrestled my shorts for a good 30 seconds before I got them on. I had every intention of putting on my top for the run at the same time, but I figured I had wasted enough time, so I took off in my suit and shorts. What would you do differently?: Get a tri suit. Gettin up to speed a LOT faster because that first hill was soul-crushing.  Bike
Comments: I definitely haven't learned how to be a tri swimmer as opposed to a competitive swimmer - I used my legs way too much during the swim and felt it IMMEDIATELY on that first hill. I just had a tough time getting going. It felt like 3/4 of the time I was on fire and just blowing the course up, but then I'd totally bonk a few minutes later. I think it was more mental than anything - it was my first race and I had never seen cyclists on that scale before. It's hard to focus on your own race when you're chugging up a hill at 11mph and someone blows by you on their tricked out bike. Overall, though, I was very pleased with my ride. It was a great first time in that it showed me the areas I did very well in (I completely owned some of those hills!) and areas I need to work on (consistency, turns, mentality). What would you do differently?: See above! Transition 2
Comments: I struggled a little with putting my run top on. Once again, now that I think I've decided that I'm addicted to triathlons, I should really splurge for some gear so I don't have these problems! I dismounted from the bike too soon, but better too soon than too late.  Run
Comments: HAHAHA 17th in the swim and by the run I dropped down to 449?! It's the opposite for everyone else, but at least I saw this coming. I definitely thought my run was going to be in the 40s. I had more of a mental roadblock when 1/2mi in my shoelace came undone. Fixed it fast and got moving, but the whole run was a struggle for me. What is awesome though is that I thought I was totally bombing because hordes of people were breezing by me, but it turns out I was just a little bit slower than what I usually do when I *only* run. How cool is that? The first half of the run was the hardest, I was definitely grateful for all the encouragement I received from the other racers (which made me realize how strong my words of encouragement on the bike hopefully were to other people). I picked it up hard on the second half and have never been so happy to see the finish in any race in my life! What would you do differently?: Be better at running, duh :) Post race
Warm down: Stood in the shower tent for about 5 min, then walked around in a daze for another 10. Then stuffed my face :) What limited your ability to perform faster: Inexperience. I really had no idea how to prepare myself for this event and it was a great learning tool - I can't wait to do another one! I'm not going to blame my gear, because I know I can go a lot faster even with what I have now. Event comments: I can't wait to do another! I'm definitely hooked! The other athletes were so amazingly friendly and supportive! Also, collegiate swimming pales in comparison to tris in regards to eye candy ;) Those fellas have me sold! Last updated: 2008-07-06 12:00 AM
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United States
Sunny
Overall Rank = 80/216
Age Group = F
Age Group Rank = 13/28
I drove to my friend's house in Quakertown on Saturday and spent the day relaxing and watching the Olympics. I went to registration and got completely freaked out by the number of seriously jacked athletes with seriously jacked bikes. I was convinced I was going to be the only first-timer without tri-specific equipment and almost had a mini-panic attack. The course talk (and looking through the goody bag) definitely calmed me down a lot :) I got up around 5:15 on Sunday, ate a pb bagel and drank some gatorade, then drove to the course with my music blasting (belated apologies if you were nearby and listening to M.I.A. at full volume at 6am isn't your thing) and ready for action.
Jogged in flip flops to the real bathrooms with a guy I met in the port-a-potty line, does that count? Also swam around for about 10-15 min of the sprint warm-up... I was debating getting in and it was definitely the right decision - I felt great afterwards!