Patriot International Distance - Triathlon

Time: 18:12. I wasn't sure how to run this portion. I wanted to go fast, because it was only 2.2 miles, but I had to save somethiing for the bike and real run. So it was a battle with myself to hold back a little. On the last lap, I think I finally settled into a good pace. And maybe that was when I finally quit asking myself what the heck I was doing in the race.

Find my pace sooner! The first two laps felt like a struggle because I was fighting myself. I should know by now that when I fight myself, I lose.

I was 1st for women overall!! Into T1, found my bike very easily (I was at the end of the rack and someone had spray painted VT in the grass... so it was quick and easy to get in and out). Took off my baseball hat, put on my helmet, fixed a sock, and took off running out of T1. Got a little tangled up behind people right after crossing the mat. Narrow, bumpy road filled with people coming and going on their bikes. Eeek!

Not a darn thing!

I rocked on the few hills out there. On the few on the way out before the turnaround, I passed three people going up and one going down. Rock on! My right knee hurt for a bit, and then my right foot went numb, but this passed. Went up the middle of the bridge going out, on a narrow concrete strip, as there were no cars around or other people really close to me. Passed some people, got passed by others. Rocked on the uphills at the turnaround, too. Passed more people than I could count. Flew by a few on the way down and coming back in. There were a few miles where I was flying... and loving it! Rode on the grating coming back because of oncoming traffic. I was ready to be done biking by the time I got in, but still enjoyed the bike, even with my lady parts on fire. Took two gels while out on the bike and drank all of my water. Spaced it out perfectly.

Umm... bike faster? I dunno. For me, that was about as perfect as I can get on the bike.

I had a smooth, quick, dismount, and headed into T2. It wass easy to find my rack, thanks to VT and my pink towel, and I didn't have much to do. I put the bike up, took off my helmet, took off my shirt, put on my baseball hat, grabbed a gel, and headed out. It felt good to run!

Nothing. Again, very smooth transition for me, aided by the fact that being attached to my bike terrifies me, so I bike in my running shoes.

I was amazed at the lack of cramps in my legs when I started running. After that long on the bike, my legs seem to thank me for running. Well, they cooperated, at least. I started out with a very good pace, strong and steady, right where I wanted to be. Walked at all water stops, since I'm not graceful enough to drink and run. I felt fantastic for the first two miles and thought to myself, "It's a a shame this isn't a sprint. If it were, this might be the first time ever that I haven't walked any during the race, save for water stops." Alas, it wasn't a sprint. Just after the water stop at the 3-mile mark, my chest cramped up like it did at 3 Sports. I massaged the area while I walked quickly and drank my bottle of water. If I were approaching the finish line with that cramp, I would have gone on. With three miles to go? A minute or two of walking wasn't going to kill me. Massaged and drank until the pain went away, then I started running again, though probably a little slower. Somewhere either in that mile or the next, I had to walk out a side stitch, but other than that... the run was mostly pain-free. The bottoms of my feet began to hurt from running on the surface of the Parkway (not smooth), and I could feel potential blisters forming, but it didn't bother me enough to stop. Took a gel at mile 5, drank some water, and dug in for the last bit. My legs were tired because I hadn't trained for running 8+ miles, but I knew I was going to do it, and do it well. I sprinted at the end, passing a handful of people (all guys, so certainly not in my AG). Best run in a race all season, and comparatively speaking, I did less walking than I normally do. Just goes to show you that the 10k is the perfect distance for me.

Umm... not cramp up? Seriously, I am proud of that run, given the struggles I have had with my runs all season. Running rehab has paid off! Wish I could have gone faster the last three miles, but I feared cramping in the chest again, and that really hurts. Maybe I should try running in my new sports bra. Perhaps the old one is wearing out.

Walked around, drank water, talked to people. Eventually sat on my towel in transition to change out of my running shoes and back into flip-flops. Oh, I put my shirt back on, too. Biking shorts = very unflattering. Called my mom, my SO, my friend who was supposed to come but didn't, texted my friend who was supposed to race but didn't, called my grandmother. Basically, sitting down felt good. Eventually got up to find shade while I was on the phone.


Maybe the heat. And having an unexpected run instead of a swim. I use my legs less in a swim than a run. And swimming is low impact.


Wish I had the swim with this race. I don't blame the RD for the decision, but I missed the swim. Still had a blast, the race was still good, and I am very glad I did it. Given the change of plans, I think Set-Up did a good job.