Valley Girl Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Well, this was my third OWS in my life. The first was at Valley Girl 06, my first Tri (this one is my second Tri). At the 06 swim I paniced, goggles fogged, couldn't see- it was a surreal nightmare. I vowed I would never do this again. So here I am. Second OWS was last Tuesday where I paniced again. So, I was thrilled beyond words when I didn't panic today.

I waded in at the end of my pink-capped wave so nobody would have to pass me from the start. I was back with the side-strokers, back-strokers, dog-paddlers and concerned Kayakers. I did at least 10 strokes of breast stroke, then experimented with my new Total Immersion freestyle/crawl with sighting that I have been working on for a year. I was amazed that it actually worked! I'm slow, but at least I go! I was also thrilled to be able to see this race. Goggles did not fog up! I was even helpful once - I hollered at a wandering backstroker who was heading east when we were all heading north. So, alternating between breast stroke and freestyle, I made it to the first big orange blob when the fast people from the next wave started to pass me. I attempted to draft off of one of them, like I even know how to do that, but she left me in the dust, seaweed actually. By the second orange blob, the fast people from two waves behind me started passing me. I tried the draft again, but to no avail. At this point I swallowed some tasty lake water and the weeds began to get thick, so I just breast stroked in and was happy to be finished. I felt I really had a personal victory over fear in this swim.

Practice OWS more than once.

What worked very well: I spit in my goggles before the race and they didn't fog at all. It was a joy to be able to see the whole swim.

Well, I returned to my bike ready to devour the rest of the Clif bar, but the little ants had gotten to it. I didn't realize it until I bit into it and the ants started biting my mouth. It did't hurt, I just couldn't figure out what was in my mouth. So, I spit out the bar and as many ants as I could, sat and washed my feet and put on my socks and shoes, put on my shorts and shirt, race belt, helmet, sunglasses, and off I went.

Look for ants and other creatures. Maybe tape the Clif bar to the bike, far above all ground creatures.

I was so happy to have survived the swim that I felt euphoric on the bike. I took off fast (for me) and passed a lot of women on the slight uphill out of the lake area. I felt downright speedy. I ate a GU after a few minutes, then felt really good, so I tried really hard on the bike. I passed a lot of people, and was passed by the "real" bikers. It was a very fun ride, but I felt pretty spent afterwards. I was trying to catch Pam the whole way. Made up a lot of ground on her, but never quite got to her.

Keep training more.

I was going too fast into the dismount area so I had to hit the brakes hard as I was riding on one pedal, half dismounted. I hit the ground and started running but legs felt rubbery and I had to sprint to not fall on my face. This must have looked impressive to some of the spectators. One guy said "That's how to do it." or something like that. Little did he know I was clueless and very close to a major face-plant.

Found my little ants and put on running hat. Forgot to get 2nd GU I had saved for the run. May have been a mistake.

Slow down!

Don't forget GU!

Ok, this hardly qualifies as a run, since I walked the majority of it. My rubbery legs never recovered from the ride, and I didn't have my GU, so I think between those two things, I was close to bonking. I wasn't miserable, but I just didn't have any run left in my legs. I jogged a few times, but really walked most of this thing. Of course I ran the last quarter mile when everybody is watching.

Get more experience at these things. I had "pushed" myself on the swim and bike, but didn't have anything left for the run. I think some real brick workouts would have prepared my legs for this a little more. Plus, keep up the run training.

Grabbed some HEED and talked to friends. Ate pizza and started to feel really good, like I could run now, so maybe if I'd had some nutrition on the run it would have helped.


Lack of experience. Extra weight. Need more training.


I was really happy to have completed this race. I started training in December 07 after being sick for over a year and had surgery in September 07. I'm so thankful that I can even train now for an event like this without getting sick!

This is a great race for women like me who are trying to make changes in life and health and need some positive and attainable goals. It's full of women of all shapes and sizes and ages and everyone is so encouraging and helpful.

I was even able to encourage a few women myself from remarks I have heard on BT. One lady was kind of bummed that she had finished near last in her age group. I asked her, "Do you know what they call the person who finishes last?" She looked at me with a mix of curiosity and dread.
I told her, "a Triathlete!" She gave me a big smile and said she was proud of all of us for starting and even more proud for finishing.