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Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle - TriathlonSprint


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Seattle, Washington
United States
Danskin Women's Triathlon
55F / 13C
Precipitation
Total Time = 1h 32m 32s
Overall Rank = 441/3496
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 87/481
Pre-race routine:

I got to the race site really early, since I hitched a ride in with someone in my town (which was so handy!). I had plenty of time to dread the race, since it was cold and raining, and there looked to be no letting up of either one. I stretched my shoulder a little bit, hoping it would hold up for the swim, and hit the porta potties a couple of times, just for fun (ha). I waited as long as possible to set up the transition area, since it was so wet out. There were also sooooo many bikes and they were jammed together so tight that I couldn't even take it out to pump the tires (which luckily were fine). Eventually I had to remove my layers of warmth and head down to the swim start.
Event warmup:

It was a good walk down to the swim start from my bike rack. I kept on stretching my arms and swinging them, but didn't get in the water since it was so cold outside and I knew I'd be suffering soon enough!! Sally Edwards started the swim, which was fun, as I have read all her books, so it was neat to see her in person. She's just a little thing!
Swim
  • 16m 17s
  • 660 yards
  • 02m 28s / 100 yards
Comments:

I started on the outside and towards the back, since I didn't know how my shoulder was going to feel once I started swimming (I have had a sudden recurrence of rotator cuff pain from an old injury). I had to pass a lot of swimmers, which was hard as so many of them were breast stroking which takes up soooo much space in the water. It was hard to pass, plus there were a lot of swim angels helping people swim, which was really cool, but took up a lot of space. I didn't end up getting into a groove for the entire swim, as it was so crowded and didn't thin out at all, even at the end. I passed people from some other waves, which was interesting, and probably got passed a lot. I had guessed I would do the swim in about 15 min and it took 16, so not bad!
What would you do differently?:

Swim a lot more before the event--training helps. Maybe start a little further up in the pack, but still stay to the side. Keep my shoulder healthy!
Transition 1
  • 04m 24s
Comments:

It was a pretty long run from the swim finish to my bike rack, so the time in transition reflects that! It was also a long time from the rack to the bike start....and I think the time it took to put on shoes, helmet, jersey and sunglasses was not too bad. I could only find one bike glove so I didn't wear them, which I really wanted to since it was so wet out. Afterward, I found one stuck under my backpack.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing....pray for dry weather?
Bike
  • 40m 27s
  • 12.4 miles
  • 18.39 mile/hr
Comments:

The course was fun, but soooo crowded that I was constantly saying 'on your left' and couldn't ever really get up to speed. People cut in front of me a lot without warning so I was a little frustrated at that. We had to dismount to walk the bikes down the road off the bridge to the Blvd, and people were passing there when they were supposed to be going single file. It was fun hearing all the cheers in the tunnel and also getting a little break from the rain while we were in there. The wind picked up at the same time that the major deluge hit, while I was in the midspan on the bridge. Insane! Funny story-this gal and I kept passing each other and then dismounted together to walk down the hill, as directed, and we realized that we had rowed on the University of Washington crew team together 20 years ago--small world!
What would you do differently?:

Have rain gear! I was soaked to the bone and was pretty cold by the time I got off the bike. Also get clear glasses for riding on bad weather days. I had on dark sunglasses which made it hard to see sometimes.
Transition 2
  • 03m 16s
Comments:

It was a pretty good run from the bike finish to the rack, but I went pretty quick. My sister was there waiting for me, since she skipped the swim and bike and was just going to run with me. I changed my socks which was unplanned, but my bike socks were so wet and cold that I couldn't see running in them. Grabbed a hat and my sister clipped on my race belt for me and away we went.
What would you do differently?:

Pray for good weather, have extra running socks--the ones I had were not very thick and by about halfway through the run my arch was getting rubbed, heading to blister city. (ok now)
Run
  • 28m 7s
  • 3.1 miles
  • 09m 04s  min/mile
Comments:

I did pretty good since I was with my sister and she had fresh legs. I was pretty cold by the time I was running and my feet got soaked pretty fast. I only got passed by a few runners, and passed a lot of people. All in all it was ok, but I mostly wanted to be done and get into a warm car, get a latte, and take a shower!!!
What would you do differently?:

Pray for nice weather. Raincoat?? I don't what else I could have done in this weather.
Post race
Warm down:

What warm down? I went and grabbed my bike and gear and got outta there as fast as I could. I was soaked and freezing!! We went to Starbucks and changed our clothes and got a latte, then met my dad for breakfast...ahhhh, yum!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

The weather and the crowds. There were so many people that it was constant navigation and often it was impossible to pass and I had to slow down instead. It was way too wet!!!!!

Event comments:

I am glad I did the race, since signing up for it was what started me on the course to doing triathlons. However, I don't think I will do it again, as the logistics were very annoying and spending most of two days to do the race was too much. Perhaps if the weather had been better, I would have felt differently, but there still would have been 4000+ competitors and it would have still been crowded!!! So far, I like the smaller races....although I appreciate the mark that the Danskin has left on the tri world.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2007-06-06 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:16:17 | 660 yards | 02m 28s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/481
Overall: 1315/3496
Performance: Good
Suit: tri shorts, tri top and sports bra
Course: Counterclockwise triangle. Course was shortened to 660 yards due to time constraints.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 65F / 18C Current: Low
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Average
Breathing: Good Drafting: Below average
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 04:24
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
00:40:27 | 12.4 miles | 18.39 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/481
Overall: 306/3496
Performance: Good
Wind: Cross-winds
Course: Up Lake Washington Blvd and onto the I-90 floating bridge express lanes, to Mercer Island through the tunnel and back.
Road: Smooth Wet Cadence: 90
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Not enough
T2
Time: 03:16
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike Average
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:28:07 | 03.1 miles | 09m 04s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/481
Overall: 528/3496
Performance: Good
Course: Out and back along Lake Washington, with one big hill toward the end. Smaller downhill toward the finish, although the very end wound through a park and got a bit crowded on the trail. There were tons of spectators at the finish line, although were pretty subdued as the wet and cold was brutal. It rained soooo hard during the whole run!!!
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 3

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2007-08-19 5:13 PM

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Master
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Pacific Northwest
Subject: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle


2007-08-19 5:44 PM
in reply to: #931133

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Member
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25
Shoreline
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
GREAT job!!!!! I had ashoulder/neck problem too today. I think mine was just stress though. I am wimp;]

WE DID IT!!!

Which one are you doing next?

Caycee
2007-08-19 7:01 PM
in reply to: #931133

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Master
1265
10001001002525
CT
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle

Nice job! I did Danskin in Webster MA and it is equally crowded and just nuts especially on the bike.

It does seem like a lot of hoopla for a sprint tri, but you gotta love Sally and the whole women only thang! 

2007-08-19 7:27 PM
in reply to: #931133


1

Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
I was at this race today also. What a mess! I left a little disappointed and frustated. Seems like they packed more people into less waves, so you had more people in the water and on the bike course at the same time. I had also heard that there was less time between waves so there would have been more people in the water at the same time.

I was also constantly saying on your left, but still seemed to get caught up behind slower bikers who wouldn't pull over to the right. Hope I don't offend anyone with that comment, but it's frustrating when you're training like crazy and then get to the race . . . . . :-)

I didn't seem to have this problem last year, so it was a little frustrating today. I will plan on participating in the Danskin again next year, but I really hope they go back to past years.
2007-08-19 8:19 PM
in reply to: #931133

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Regular
67
2525
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
Nice job today.  You did awesome!  Killer in all 3 disciplines.
2007-08-19 8:30 PM
in reply to: #931133

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Veteran
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Okiehoma
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
Awesome job out there! How was it having your Dad there?


2007-08-19 11:02 PM
in reply to: #931158

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Master
2235
200010010025
Pacific Northwest
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle

Caycee - 2007-08-19 3:44 PM GREAT job!!!!! I had ashoulder/neck problem too today. I think mine was just stress though. I am wimp;] WE DID IT!!! Which one are you doing next? Caycee

 

Gosh, next will be either Lake Sammamish this Saturday, Mercer Island or Black Diamond in Sept.  How about you?  Our times were pretty darn close, you did good for a wimp! 

2007-08-19 11:06 PM
in reply to: #931337

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Master
2235
200010010025
Pacific Northwest
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle

Kazho - 2007-08-19 6:30 PM Awesome job out there! How was it having your Dad there?

It was great having my dad here for the weekend.  He couldn't make it to the race since it takes a long time for the attendant to get him up and moving in the morning so that didn't work since the race started at 645.  Plus, the torrential rain would have made it a truly awful experience.  My sister and I went to breakfast with him right after the race, and had a really nice talk about life, triathlons, etc.  It was wonderful to be supported by him all weekend.  I already miss him and am trying to figure out how to get us out to visit in DC soon.

2007-08-20 8:29 AM
in reply to: #931133

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Veteran
238
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Allen, TX
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle

Awesome job girlfriend!!!!!!!!!

 I'm so glad you went and did the race, and even more pats on the back for doing it in the cold rain.

2007-08-20 8:56 AM
in reply to: #931133

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Veteran
162
1002525
Virginia
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
Awesome job in your race!  Glad you were able to spend time with your Dad and sister!
2007-08-20 10:45 AM
in reply to: #931133

Subject: ...
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2007-08-20 11:28 AM
in reply to: #932123

Expert
844
50010010010025
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
Nice race.  You have done really well with everything in such a short time!!
2007-08-22 9:47 AM
in reply to: #932255

Master
2235
200010010025
Pacific Northwest
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle

gator22 - 2007-08-20 9:28 AM Nice race.  You have done really well with everything in such a short time!!

Maybe not with everything, but I have had a lot of improvement over the summer.  And, oh yes, I have pretty much gone insane with my addiction to triathlon!

2007-08-22 1:28 PM
in reply to: #931133

Expert
856
5001001001002525
Pittsburgh
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
Great job!  I bet if you do it next year, you'll be in front of most of that crowd! Smile
2007-08-22 1:40 PM
in reply to: #931133

Master
3546
2000100050025
Millersville, MD
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle

M_A - great 2nd? race!  Talk about tough conditions.  I love small venue races too.  Have a little trail marathon I've done the last several years with 300 people cap.  The idea of a big city marathon with 10x that much has zero appeal... although I will be jockstrapping in one this october so maybe I'll find out what all the fuss is over.

Oh yeah, this was supposed to be about you.  Great job... and keep rocking!

2007-08-22 3:10 PM
in reply to: #931133

Elite
3494
20001000100100100100252525
Renton, Washington
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
whoooooooooooooosh. What was that? Oh that was YOU!  Well done. You are made for this sport!


2007-08-23 11:03 AM
in reply to: #931133

Master
1641
100050010025
Cambridge, MA
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle
You rocked it, Athena Ann.  Way to go!!  Congrats on your times.  Fast bike! 
2007-08-23 2:48 PM
in reply to: #931133

Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Danskin Women's Triathlon - Seattle

Nice job rocking out on a wet race course.  It's always hard to have a good race in bad conditions, but you managed to do it.

Keep up the great work!

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