All-Women's Triathlon - Sprint - TriathlonSprint

As we're headed to the corral, they're announcing how warm the water is and lots of people are stripping off their wetsuits. I've only practiced with it so I decide I'll leave mine on. The water does feel incredibly warm, so warm in fact that my wetsuit is ballooning around me. Does neoprene get stretchier when it gets warm? Sure seems that way. A huge percentage of people in my wave must be first timers because it seems like everybody wants to be at the back & outside. Makes for a very spread-out group at the starting line. I'm in the center just off the front row and have tons of room around me. Look around and find Dena just behind me to the left. Won't see her again until near the turn-around on the bike & the run. Start is very smooth. Use my sailing know-how and start stroking during the countdown so I'm at speed as I cross the line just after the horn sounds. Makes me feel clever. Coming to the first buoy I'm catching up with the wave in front of me. That's really kind of fun. Keep passing people, swim over a few, sight every other breath. Always aim to the right since I swim to the left. Find my groove after the first buoy and have my best open water swim yet.

...Four days later I discover that I was actually wearing Pascal's wetsuit which is 2-3 sizes larger. Our wetsuits had gotten switched at our last open water swim at Frenchman's Bar. Oops. Too funny. Good to know neoprene isn't that temperature sensitive. Too bad I hadn't actually lost that much weight.

Wear my own wetsuit. Get in an actual warm-up.

It's a decent ways to T1. I try to run but my calves are so tight coming out of the water my AT just can't take it. Really hard to slow down and walk. Body wants to run! It's so far and I need to be there now. Also can't find my zipper loop anywhere so I come almost to a standstill trying to find the darn thing. I see Dad & Kian as I'm headed up the mat. It is so great to see someone I know. I just finished the swim!

Once I'm at my stall, I have to take the time to wrap my foot before putting on my socks but the PattStrap is so easy that doesn't add much time. As I'm headed out with my bike, I realize that my laces are whapping me. NNORD - nothing new on race day - my first time with my Yankz and I forgot to tuck in the ends on my left shoe. So I have to stop at the mount line and fix that. Sure don't want them caught in my chain.

Do a one-mile run next time before the race, really stretching my calf and see if that will help me get through transition. Mark foot wrap so I know where velcro needs to go.

First time riding in my tri shorts. My second time with this saddle. Only my third time on this bike. Saddle is not a good fit. After the turnaround I start really slowing down because of the pain. Also wrapped my foot too tight and too far up on my arch so my foot is also in pain and losing circulation. See Dena a mile or so after the turnaround and realize she is making good time on me. Computer stops working after the first half-mile. I've got cadence but that's all. I didn't start my watch b/c I have the bike comp. Oh well. I focus on cadence and really that's all that matters. It is a beautiful ride and I try to notice.

Push a little harder. Maybe just 10%. I realized that the whole way I'm just thinking about making sure I have enough left for the run.

Practice eating and drinking while riding.

Check both computer sensors.

Couldn't run with bike. Needed to remove shoe & sock and rewrap foot. Stretch calf. Grabbed a chew and sucked down half a bottle of water. Traded helmet for racing cap.

Nutrition on ride not in transition.

Have to walk every slight hill. It's almost two miles before my AT feels good. Hate the aid stations. Can't actually swallow any water and have so much trouble finding my groove again after slowing down. Find a couple girls running about my pace and enjoy chatting with them but I lose them when I have to stop and stretch. Once my AT loosens up I pass them and stay in front. I see Dena coming back as I leave the park and head up the trail. I'd been watching for her but hadn't seen her pass me. Turn out she got in front of me at T2. As I'm headed around to park entrance I start seeing the walkers heading up the trail. Crap I'm slow. The last half-mile is so beautiful along the waterfront. There are so many waterlilies in bloom. I comment on them and the runner near me looks at me like I'm nuts. I can see the buildings that are right next to the Red Bull arch and cannot believe I'm actually going to finish this race. I see my dad and Kian right after I make the last turn to head away from the water. The tears start earlier than I expect. Love hearing the announcer call my name as I cross the finish line.

Don't stop for water. See if more warm-up before race helps with run.

My warm-down was wandering around looking for Dena & Dad & then hanging out to watch kids' race. Some stretching while standing around but not enough. Needed better food sooner too. Post-race "lunch" was pretty bad. Glad I stuck around though and got my 3rd place medal. :D


Achilles tendonitis. Hurt me in both transitions and the run. Bad wrap affected my bike too. The saddle hunt begins in earnest.


This was a great first race. I didn't push too hard since it was just practice. Treated like any other Saturday group workout. Babied my AT. While I had plenty of nerves the day before, I was just pleasantly excited and focused day of. TNT training has really held me in good stead. Love that I got to do it with Dena. Day before was just nuts and need to take care of all the little stuff much sooner. Also avoid scheduling any appointments day before. Can't wait to do it again and I'm really glad I have another race in two weeks.