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Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas
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Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas - TriathlonOlympic
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 Swim
Comments: We finally got the "On your mark, get set, AFLAC" and waded in. The water was very choppy but I settled into the rhythm of it tossing me around. Stayed with the pack until the end. I could see the exit and must have smiled big because I took in a gush of unexpected water. Ugh, choking, can't breathe, panic. But only for 1 or 2 seconds. I pulled it together very quickly and calmed myself down until I could breathe halfway normal again. Then sprinted to the swim exit. I was so ready to be out of the water. I took my wetsuit off just a few yards out of the water because it was a long trek to transition.  Transition 1
Comments: Long. Uphill. I never saw the timing mat. TriDivas put on an excellent transition clinic the day before the race. This could be better but I'm sure it was faster than it might have been without those last minute tips.  Bike
Comments: Hills for the first 10 miles. We were out on some godforsaken desert trail with nary a soul around and it was ugly. Steep climbs and nasty winds. Several gals ended up walking their bikes on two of the inclines. I was able to stay in the saddle but only because I had a granny ring. One gal thought she would ride off the saddle and the wind swept her bike right out from under her. I was oh so thankful for the wind and hill training I've been doing the last few months. I felt strong and confident here. The last half of the course was through busy neighborhoods and highways. Lots of debris on the side of the road. Cops and volunteers on nearly every corner (in town) stopping traffic so we could ride through. Cars were backed up forever along the road where we turned back into the resort. I was just thankful no one gave me the royal finger as I passed by! Transition 2
Comments: Just need to work on this so I can be faster.  Run
Comments: This was not pretty. Period. When I think of the run course I picture camels walking through the desert searching for water. There was an undeveloped area where a construction crew had grated a roadway for their vehicles. It was loose dirt, rocks, and gravel. The owners of the resort property filed bankruptcy in January and construction stopped. The run course was on this grated roadway through the brown hills where there will someday be a hotel or billion dollar residences. It was difficult to build up speed because you were either climbing or trying not to slide down. There was no vegetation. Not one tree. You could see nothing for miles around except dirt. The wind was still blowing but at this point it felt good since it was toasty warm outside. It was mentally the toughest run I've ever done. There were no mile markers, no landmarks, nothing but a long string of hot tired divas running through the desert. Ugh. This killed my hope of finishing under 3 hours. Absolutely mind numbing. I survived this run, I didn't race it. Until later ... Post race
Event comments: Overall I'm pleased with my race. Last year it was hard to focus on my weaknesses because everything needed work. This was my first event, second season, and perfect for eyeballing what I did well and what needs some attention. Mental toughness and hanging on to the run are at the top of the list. I've also learned that when there's wind or adverse weather conditions, I have to reset my expectations and be happy with what I accomplish. My paces seem slow but I know I did my best and feel good about that. Some memorable moments from this event: I love Iron Girl races and their whole mission and message for women living a healthy lifestyle. Aflac did a great job. The pre-race expo and clinics were great. The energy of 1000 strong women was amazing. I loved every minute. Sunset Racing, the local organization who handled the course logistics, had several curves thrown their way. Construction wasn't done on several areas of the course and last minute changes had to be made. The sprint bike course was cut short and the Olympic was only 21 miles based on my computer. I think everyone pulled together and did a great job. I won't, however, race this course again unless it's completely revised. The venue was "Lake Las Vegas Resort" and the grounds were spectacular. Unfortunately, the bulk of the bike and run were in no man's land. There were no volunteers on the long stretches in the "desert" and it's fortunate there were no emergencies on those sections of the course. The course was not spectator friendly. The start and finish were in two separate locations, each about a half mile from transition. Spectators could see you start the swim and finish the run. There was no contact in between. This was disappointing for how well organized everything else seemed to be. Last updated: 2007-10-26 12:00 AM
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 2008-04-13 9:12 PM |
 , North Carolina |  Subject: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas |
| 2008-04-13 10:07 PM in reply to: #1334993 |
Expert  968   Wellington, North Island | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Awesome job Mom. It was a tough course with tough conditions and you hung in there. I'm so proud of you!  |
| 2008-04-13 10:33 PM in reply to: #1334993 |
Veteran 166 Douglas County | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Fabulous race report! I was out there on the Olympic course with you and shared the exact same sentiments.....I seriously will not be able to top this in mine. Anyway, great race. Glad to hear that I wasn't alone in feeling how I felt! |
| 2008-04-14 7:53 AM in reply to: #1334993 |
Regular 94 Westchester, IL | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Awesome job, Iron Girl great report. I like the ending, 12 seconds wow, nice |
| 2008-04-14 8:55 AM in reply to: #1334993 |
Regular 64 Killeen, TX | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Great race! Awesome time! I love the energy you pulled out at the last minute. It is amazing what our minds can do when our bodies are ready to quit, isn’t it? I was reading your race report because I plan to do the Iron Girl Atlanta. Sounds well organized…just a bad choice for the course. I would imagine there are some pretty views of the desert…maybe? I hope to feel the same energy from the athletes that you felt. Thanks for the report and the inspiration. |
| 2008-04-14 9:27 AM in reply to: #1334993 |
Champion 19812  MA | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Great job Becky! Love how you were mentally tough and handled the curves the course sent you and so impressive you sprinted by that Grandma so you beat her by 12 seconds. Congrats on an excellent race and hardware to boot! |
| 2008-04-14 10:17 AM in reply to: #1334993 |
Elite 4344 | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas You put up some really strong times for the course and for early in the season. Way to go.
TW |
| 2008-04-15 6:49 PM in reply to: #1334993 |
Pro 4228 Broomfield, Colorado | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Congratulations Becky! Hardware again! That's awesome LOL on racing the "little grandma" Now that's funny. And that was sweet with the other racer behind you that wanted to hug you! How cool! |
| 2008-04-18 9:23 AM in reply to: #1334993 |
New user 1 | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas This was my first Irongirl, my first open water, and my second triathlon ever. It was also my first time in Vegas. What a great trip! I finished the Sprint distance in under 2 hours, which is a great improvement for me. (my only other tri was back in Oct. and it was only a 300 meter pool swim and it took me 2:15!!) Thoughts: I wish Aflac could have gottenus some cheapo flip flops to walk in from the trans. area to the swim start. Us girls that take care of our feet and don't have callouses were dying walking barefoot on that asphalt and rocky surface. That sucked. I second the complaint about mile markers. I run 5Ks all the time, so I knew that I wasn't finished already when I got to the transition area, but it would have been nice for pacing purposes. Also, they should have had a big visible sign letting people know that there were two loops on the bike. Again, I knew that there was no way I was finished, but I was confused on where to go for a second. My friend Crissa actually only did one loop and didn't realize there was two because all she heard was someone yelling "go to the right" and she did. She is upset that she made the trip and did the tri and it's all a wash b/c she didn't get a true time. I loved the cold sponges and the free pink towels. I didn't like the end and the beginning being so far from the trans. area though because all of our cameras and stuff were not with us for the beginning and the end. Here's what I need from you guys: did anyone get any swim pictures from their friends that came to watch?? I really want a pic. of the yellow, or any other group starting the race. I have pics from the bike and run from the professionals, but I can't seem to find anything from the swim at all.
Anyone? Anyone?
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| 2008-04-18 12:34 PM in reply to: #1334993 |
Member 46 Las Vegas | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas I have pics from the race and I will see if I can post them on here or if you send me your email address I can send them directly to you. |
| 2008-04-23 6:35 PM in reply to: #1334993 |
Pro 4216 Sous Mon Diadème | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Way to go!!! Congratulations on another great race and an excellent race report. I love Iron Girl events, too, for the reasons you mentioned. It's an awesome feeling when it comes right down to it and you realize, as you did on the bike, that you are completely prepared and your training's paid off. Way to take out that grandma at the end  . |
| 2009-04-18 12:59 PM in reply to: #1334993 |
| New user 8 | Subject: RE: Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas hi, im planning on doing the oly dis thsi may.. your report has me a little worried.. do you know if they have changed the course (bike) ? thanks jill hopefully ill see you there! |
| General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
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Iron Girl
Sunny
Overall Rank = 98/181
Age Group = Female 55-59
Age Group Rank = 2/6
Bikes got checked in on Friday night. Transition was open from 5:00-6:30 AM Saturday morning. The Olympic distance was scheduled to start at 8:00 AM but the first wave didn't hit the water until 8:45 AM. Got a nice long OWS while we were waiting.