Last year's time: 7:25, goal time 4:50-5:20, moved up 27% compared to my placement last year, came in at 5:32 which includes getting out the pool w/out a ladder probably looking like a beached whale as this guy came in right next to me and I had to flip over the other directions and running outside. 1:51 improvement

We swam clockwise and this guy and I would collide every center of the lane..he'd hook me with his arm..after first time, I was better prepared but he did it 3 times. Okay it could have been me swimming to the right/center of the lane..but it stunk and it through me off a bit. The pool was cloudy and a little dirty but I was out of there quick enough.

Keep practicing swimming so I can seed myself faster with the better swimmers. Improved a ton here, was calm, felt good, wanted to get out of the pool and see what I could do the rest of the tri.

Last year's time: 2:17, this year :58, improvement 1:19. Firm doesn't time trasitions but I do with my HRM so I subtract my T times from where they lump the time. I had a great transtion spot toward the front in the second group of racks which helped me improve a bunch..but I was quick. I dropped my sunglasses when I first got on my bike and was able to catch them and put them on while riding..felt good. I love passing people in transtion...I see this as a skill learned from being a Mom of 5..chaos and quickness is needed in every day life to get out the door on time or whatever..I have had 17 years of practice!

Nada!

Last year's time 38:50, goal time 32:20-36:20, 32:24, moved up 42% compared to last year...nice!

I was discouraged last year on this bike course as it was hard and hilly and my last tri two weeks ago the bike was for more difficult than I expected and I was discouraged, but today was different. I started passing people right away on the up hills and kept on passing people. I watched the number and I got into the the low 130's and an occasition 120 which means that they started some 7-10 minutes before me...sweet!!

I spotted Patty and chased her for awhile but was not able to pass her until I got to the fast downhill. A car was stuck behind a rider and couldn't pull around for riders coming back up the hill and I was flying and didn't want to have to stop, finally the car was able to clearn the biker so I could go down without braking. I hit 37.8 mph and it was awesome. After about 10 minutes, my legs were hurting a bit and I wondered if I went out to fast. Suck it up and keep going and forced that thought from my mind. I concentrated on drinking a lot..goal to get in 14-20 ounces of Gatorade. At mile 5.3 I ran out, which I have never done, I guess I did a good job of drinking while riding. Finally I got that little extention tube for my aero drink bottle which makes drinking lots easier.

At the end of the lollipop and way back up the big hill, I was having fun, passing people using the momentum of my down hills to go up. I was able to stay in my middle gear on the uphill until I got to the steepiest at the top part, and was able to shift up so I wasn't even in my easiest gear...I was excited and at this steep part I continued to pass people. No women passed me and only 3 guys did and one was 66 and I thought of Max and he would flown by me!

Last 2 miles in mostly downhill and I was able to ride in aero and pedal around the corner and just fly...it was so fun and I was having a blast. This was such a good place for me as last year I'd be all negative at races, but not this time...having fun, feeling positive and playing out there. Backed off a little on the homestretch and thought about T2. The roads were in rough shape but I felt comfortable, stable and good on my bike..time in the saddle has improved my handling skills.

One observation I made, is that I am better able to push myself to go as fast as I can compared to last year. I'd say I pace myself better...most of the bike I was breathing hard, so loud that others would hear me coming up behind them...which shows I'm racing at a higher RPE.

I was so thankful for my off season training and my coach Will's great advice/support/tranining plans/encouragement as it has gotten me faster and fitter. While riding, I was excited as I knew this was a test to see how I'd do on hills for my big spring race Mooseman on 6/3 has. Last year Mooseman kicked my butt, but I think this year I'll do a bit better. I averaged 1/2 mph slower on Mooseman than this race..so if today's race is an indicator, I'm feeling better prepared this year for Mooseman.

Brian was working the Bike finish making sure chips registered which was fun!

Getting my new bike sooner might help as it will be about 6 pounds lighter ...can't wait to fly on the Kuota!

Last years time 1:50, this year 1:11

Put on socks which first attempt were crooked, felt slow here, but moved methodically and got everything done. Brought two litttle 6 oz bottles of 50/50 gatorade/water for the run as I am unable to run and drink from papercups.

Put my socks on straight first time...but overall did excellant!

Last year's time 40:31, goal time 30:30-35:10, this year 34:47 much improved (6:50) placement improved 11% compared to last year!!

This course first two miles are uphill...between mile 1-2 are the worst. I was breathing hard the whole time pushing myself....kept wondering when the steep hills were coming...ran through them...thinking they were still coming but I had already gotten up them:)

Pushed myself best I could...could see I was going to kill my time from last year, kept trying to get faster...who knows if I did or not as there are no mile marker.

I felt great running. Lots of people passed me and many of the kind women I passed on the bike said nice to me while running past me like wow you were flying on the bike...it was great. I saw Liz (a new MA BTer) on the run speeding by me on the up hill...looking strong. All those people passing me while running was okay with me which is huge as I used to get bummed about it. Some of them were in the 120's and 130's so I knew I was still going to beat them...ha ha!

The best part for me I knew I could keep running farther at a similar pace which I'll need to do for Mooseman. I feel prepared and excited by my progress.

Pushed the final 6 minutes trying to make it under 1:15 which I did :) I really thought I might race 1:17-1:19...1:14 was a out there goal, but not what I thought I'd do.


Keep on running and I'll get faster!

Finished and had Emily was working the finish line and took off my timing chip. Laura and her husband were there yelling very loudly as I finished...it felt super having many cheer me on. We talked then I walked around a bit and saw Patty finishing so we cheered her on. We gabbed and visited and I was very excited to see that I won Athena. Okay I was the only one, but reality is I beat my time by 16:08 in a sprint...which is huge!!

Talked some more with Liz and her sister Kate? who did her first tri...hope to see more of them this summer.

Firms medals this year are super cool. Seriously I placed first in a tri...me who last year came in last in one tri, always in the bottom 15%, last out of the water twice last year, this was amazing. I think I can say I did MOP...top 1/3 on the bike...and you know next year I'm going to be faster:)

Thanks to all my BT friends for encouraging me this year and helping me think positive and enjoy the day...my superstar mental postive friends especially JoAnne and Rob...you helped me a lot today.

Do you think 155 out of 230 is MOP? I'm tired of being BOP?



Same thing...old, ability to go faster, needing to lose a few pounds.


A typical Firm race with no transitions timed, they all have the same feel, but they offer races every weekend. I love that I was able to get 2 tris in before Mooseman to practice racing.

Rankings may change as final results weren't posted when we left, I'm still unsure on the bike time as I wrote down something wrong I think...I'll change or update it after tomorrow.