Cranberry Country Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

2006 24:54
2007 26:35
2008 25:56

I start myself in the second row most of the time. I'm a decent swimmer for a triathlete but a crappy swimmer for a swimmer. I like the eager beavers to be in front so I can poetntially draft and they don't elbow me but I also like to be far enough in front I'm not swimming over timid swimmers.

I've been really calm at races this year. I have so much other overbearing CRAP in my life its just not worth getting upset over. I mean its not that I don't want to do well, but I'm a realist....on my best day I'm not going to place. I do this for mental health and relaxation. I do it for fun. I need to run my own race. This is hardest for me on the run but more about that later.

I think I swam really well. I was actually able to draft some which is unusual for me. The water in this lake isn't fabulous. The lake is also kind of shallow. Made it to the first 2 buoys in no time. Lots of traffic. Swam the top pretty well but by this time the front pack had pulled away. I was happy to heve been able to stay with them for so long.

The buoys were set up a little different this year. I thnk in 2006 they must have been a buoy short. Cut the corner coming back (legally of course) but it was really shalllow and my hands were touching the ground. I stood up and walked until it was deep enough to swim again.....Weird. Water must be low this year. Swam strong right to the finish and I caught up to the lead pack towards the end. The fastest swimmer in my age group went like 19 minutes and then the next 10 of us were within a minute of each other so I'm pretty happy with my swim.

Be a little more aggressive, get a better wetsuit but overall I'm very pleased with this swim esp in comparison to others in my age group

2006 2:43
2007 2:58
2008 2:57

They changed the way transition is set up a little bit this year so the run was a tiny bit longer. Also I was at one end so I had to run up one side and then down the entire other side to get to my rack. I actually RAN TO TRANSITION which is a first for me :) Got wetsuit off without much difficulty. Had my bike shoes on my bike so just glasses and helmet on then off I went.

RUN FASTER :)

2006 1:23:24
2007 1:19:58
2008 1:17:53

I think I had a really good bike. I came out of transition but the road out was really crowded and hard to get around people....Started out and was trying to catch my breath. This is a neccesary first step for me. I settled down after about 2-3 miles and found a comfortable pace. This is my third year on this course plus Patriot overlaps it. There are sections of road that are in horrible condition. Just full of potholes and extremely rough. Seemed worse than last month but maybe I was just blind at that time because my glasses were all fogged up at that race.

I took inspiration from Nastia Luikin and kept telling myself you never get this day back an do your best. I kept thinking ahead to the run and telling myself I am a runner and runners run. Set the bar high at 2:50. trying to set myself up for a good run.

I think I handled the hills much better this year. I knew that last few miles were kind of up hill. Did not feel the wall of fatigue like last year. Had 32oz of gatorade with NUUN in it and 2 gels during the bike.

Become a stronger cyclist :) I dont' often ride on really shitty pavement with potholes. It scares me. I'd prefer to not wreck thank you very much.

2006 2:16
2007 2:25
2008 2:22

Took feet out of shoes coming into transition. Some guy just HAD to pass me on the narrow road coming into transition....I mean get over yourself its a tenth of a mile into transition with speed bumps how much time are you going to gain being a jerk? I blew by him off the bike and into and out of transition so HA.

Sat down, dried feet socks and shoes on. Hat and race belt and I grabbed my bottle with G2 and NUUN. Ran out of transition and saw Mile (marmadaddy) and Jorge (amiine....he came in 9th overall...geez o pete thats FAST) outside the fence. Yelled to them. Never saw my family.

nothing. I need the socks :) I am socks :)

2006 1:18:53
2007 1:27:12
2008 1:05:46 (I WASN'T FREAKING LAST!!!)

Came out of transition in 1:49. Would have to run a 1ish hour 10K to go 2:50...set the bar HIGH. Usually the first mile or so will determine the rest of the run for me. I took a hit of my inhaler before I left transition and took it with me. I threw the bottle of G2/Nuun off before I got out of the park. I didn't use my hand strap and it was hard to hold onto.

First mile marker I knew from the bike (courses are parallel for a few miles) was a tiny bit further than one mile. I started feeling little tight on my breathing so I stopped to walk and take a hit of my inhaler. I took a couple little walk breaks the first mile so I was pleased with 10:50. Sub 3 hours is looking really good.

I ran the whole second mile but was slower? WTF? The first 2 miles were really hard mentally because about 300 people passed me. Run your own run run your own run run your own run. I hate it when peple pass me and say "You can do it" Do I look THAT pathetic....leave me alone I know I'm slow let me do my thing. Walked the aide station at mile 2 and took some water, tried to pick up the pace some....mile 3 10:32 YAY Better. One of my goals has been to average less than 11 minute miles in an oly...well on my way :) Plus at this point I was pretty sure I would go sub 3 hours, although I knew 2:50 was a stretch 2:55 might be possible.

Mile 4 10:36 WHOOP WHOOP...walked the aide station and took some more water...looking good and I had 28 minutes to go 2.2 miles I CAN DO THIS!!!! I was a little slower the last 2.2 miles taking walk breaks mid mile and at each aide station. Walked a little before the turn back into the park and then came in strong giving me everything I had....SUB 3 HOURS WHOOP WHOOP YAY ME :)



nothing. I need to contiue to build run stregth, My stoopid left foot started bothering me about mile 4 and I need to get that straightened out. I took my timing chip off my ankle about mile 5 because it was cutting my achilles AGAIN at this race and put it on my shoe. I HATE the chip straps at this race but I don't want to use my own because I am afraid they will accuse me of stealing theirs and will take my nice one.

I'm very pleased with this run. I realize it is slow in the grander scheme of things but for me it was kick ass.

Walked around, got stretched


sore foot, lack of run genetics


Overall it was a great day. Fun race with good friends. That plus I TOTALLY ROCKED IT!!!! Joanne asked me what allowed me to go so much faster this year...CAUSE I COULD ACTULLAY RUN this year. Joe handed over his tough cookie award to me (THANKS JOE) and Denise gave hers to Julie. Great day in MA :)