ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago Open Age-Group Sprint Race
-
No new posts
General Discussion | Race Reports! » ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago Open Age-Group Sprint Race | Rss Feed |
ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago Open Age-Group Sprint Race - TriathlonSprint
View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Swim
Comments: I was extremely fast in the first half of the swim. Then, some aggressive swimmers from the next waves made the water so chaotic I got an anxiety attack. I had water coming through my mouth and nose and it was very hard to maintain the balance. I was doing everything to control my mind, but once I saw how far the exit was my brain entered some evacuation mode. I was unable to put my head into the water because of that and I finished the second half with "don't get your head wet" stroke. I had to rest twice hoping I would relax and feel better. I was also concerned about my arms, that they now did not have the "resting phase" that breaststroke normally gives. I also cut my calve pretty badly with a chain that was attached to the wall. But I did not notice it until the end of the race. the ending was absolutely awful. When we all get closer there was a boat with guys directing us to the buoy, where we were supposed to make a turn. That messed everything up, because now we had a bunch of people trying to make that turn, and then another bunch of folks being on the way to that buoy. I had a feeling that everyone around me had the same anxiety attack and we were all in panic mode just shaking our arms in hopes we would fly out of the water. I had so many bodies over mine I was about to loose it. I was doing everything to make sure my head was above the water and that I was actually getting more air than water. Whenever I looked at the buoy I felt I was making one step forward and two steps back. It was so unreachable. I wanted to cry, but it was impossible to cry in the goggles. I felt so bad that I was almost there, yet - so far I could not make it (and I was really two meters away...) When I got closer to the exit stairs I just moved my hand to the volunteer hoping he would pull me out. I probably should have shouted HELP ME, because he just waved to me and smiled, and said: "yeeey, good job!" I was very upset, because I absolutely love swimming breaststroke, and I could not understand why it was happening to me... It was so bad I thought I would have resigned if I had not paid and told everyone... Overall I still think I must have done really awesome during the first part - because I had exactly the same time as i had with my previous race, which I considered almost perfect. What would you do differently?: Well, "triathlon" is 90% mental" - and now I fully understand it. Not only the anxiety almost won with me during the swim part - I was hold to the "failure feeling" for half of the whole race. When I exited swim I thought I lost my record and screw it. I should not carry hard feelings to the following race legs. Just move on. What would I do different with the swim part itself? I don't think with my low experience there was anything I could have done. It was in my head. I need more practice in stressful environment. I also believe that lack of sleep did not help. I woke up in the middle of the night (thunderstorms) and could not fall asleep for two hours. So I basically slept only two hours before the race. And i was about to have a period, so I guess It could have been a combination of things. Transition 1
Comments: This transition was 800 meters from swim exit. When I got out the water I was so depressed I decided not to care anymore. Thankfully, this thought hold only for few seconds and I realized I have to more parts to complete this triathlon and I better run this damn 800 meters. So I run it without a stop. I was not racing, but it was definitely a run. I put shorts on my swimsuit, no problems with socks and shoes. On my way out I was stopped by the other girls from my wave and she was telling me she quit swimming. I was about to get sentimental and continue the conversation, until I realized the clock was ticking... What would you do differently?: Once I exited the swim - I should have left negative thoughts in the swim. And just move on. And run right away. I did not need to talk to that girl. I mean - I'm sorry she quit, but I should have just said sorry, and run. Other than that - it was fine. It was double the distance from Chicago tri and I made it in a similar time, so I'm happy about myself :) Bike
Comments: It was just a great experience. In the middle of biking I realized I have to forget swimming experience and focus on what was happening at that moment. And I started enjoying it and making sure I do as best as I can on the bike. What would you do differently?: I need to practice curves and corners. I am not experienced with those. Speed similar to previous race. Transition 2
Comments: Nothing spectacular. I grabbed my shirt and belt (with cell phone) and I put those on while running. There was about 200 meters from T2 to the actual run. Which I realized after I actually run through it. What would you do differently?: Nothing. It was fine. Run
Comments: This was my very best time for 5K and the very first time I did below 9 minutes/mile! It is time for new running shoes - and I felt it during the run. I felt pretty confident the whole time. What would you do differently?: Go even faster! haha ;) I don't know - I think I did my best :) Post race
Warm down: Just hanging out with other runners for a moment. Once again, I forgot about stretching after the race. What limited your ability to perform faster: My brain? My body was fully capable of doing better/faster. After the mental breakdown in water it took me a while to have my mind back to the game. Event comments: I was pissed there was no beer ticket. This race cost a lot of money, and it was also part of THE championships. They had huge sponsors, including Revolution brewery. I could not believe we only got water, gatorade and half-banana. Of course, I don't swim/bike/run only for a free beer, but it is always a nice reward after all the effort, right? Last updated: 2015-09-10 12:00 AM
|
|
{postbutton}
2015-09-21 2:41 PM |
General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
{postbutton}
General Discussion | Race Reports! » ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago Open Age-Group Sprint Race | Rss Feed |
United States
ITU World Triathlon Series
68F / 20C
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 672/856
Age Group = F30-34
Age Group Rank = 37/56
Breakfast shake: oatmeal, avocado, banana, nuts, milk, beet juice, honey.
Egg, banana, dark chocolate on my way to the race and a bit before the race.
Water with pedilyte.
I was wearing regular swimsuite and it was extremely windy in the morning. The event was delayed by 30 minutes, therefore, I was warming up 3 times just to stay warm.
Jumping jacks series, push-ups, knee-highs - that kind of things.