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Annapolis Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


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Annapolis, Maryland
United States
Columbia Triathlon Association
75F / 24C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 38m 58s
Overall Rank = 68/377
Age Group = F30-34
Age Group Rank = 14/75
Pre-race routine:

This weekend was perfectly planned. I "talked" my parents into bringing their boat down to Annapolis the same weekend as the race (they usually bring it down sometime in Sept). It was nice to sleep so close to the race - too bad I had to drive to the stadium to start the day :( ).

I was pretty unmotivated to race. Between IM burn-out and one of the hardest weeks in a long time personally, I only really raced because it was at Annapolis (I am a USNA grad) and my parents would be there.

At packet pick-up I was surprised to see the newish room in the stadium where the expo/registration was located. There were these really nice bronze plaques all over the walls each with a year and a big N. To those unfamiliar with USNA, the three biggest things at USNA are
1. Your class year (mine was 1998)
2. The N letter - which signifies a Varsity Letter
3. And the N* - which signifies beating Army in your varsity sport. The team has to win - and you have to score to earn the Nstar.

So I see my classes plaque and I run over and see that my name is on it!! How cool! And it really helped put things in perspective that I am an athlete racing at my alma mater and I better get excited! :)

After pickup I dropped my bike off at T2 and met up with my best friend from USNA, and classmate Delia. We had a great evening, unfortunately I only had one drink :(. We also ran into Jason Dalley, another classmate who was racing so that was cool :)

The morning of the race was a bit stressful logistically but it all worked out under Z5's (wyecrabs) advice about what wetsuit to wear, when to show up where, etc :) Ran into Glenn and Dave almost immediately and my friend Claudia from LP. She was joking about how ghost-like and pale and sickly I looked on the bike at LP. Too funny!

After stealing a gu from Dtraining I was ready to start the race!
Event warmup:

None.
Swim
  • 24m 33s
  • 1640 yards
  • 01m 30s / 100 yards
Comments:

I started the swim quite strong. Probably a bit too strong. Almost immediately we were parallel to the fuel dock at the Marina where my parents boat was and I was looking for them. Cool.

I had some serious siting issues in this race. I do terrible in counterclockwise races since I tend to swim to the right. It was amazing how many really really poor swimmers were in this race. I am used to getting beat-up by the big guys in the waves ahead of me but this was worse than normal. One guy did a breastroke kick into my hand and bent it backwards. That hurt!

The course was so beautiful which made this a fun swim! After all those years swimming at USNA, I had never actually swam in the Severn, though I always wanted to :) Seeing the Yard Patrol boat anchored at the turnaround was especially cool considering I spent a month on one when I was 19 touring the Northeast coast :)
What would you do differently?:

Look at the course beforehand :) Wear those sunglass swedish goggles that I am promised instead of the crap goggles I was wearing because they leaked :(
Transition 1
  • 01m 50s
Comments:

Awesome transition! My best of the day! My parents were screaming right next to my bike rack which really helped me move it! I kept the shoes on the bike and my Mom yelled "You forgot your shoes" and I quickly pointed down to my bike. Without the shoes I started a bad dash sprint (to show off to the rents I suppose) and passed many shoed competitors :)

I was even able to quickly stash my wetsuit and cap/goggles in my bag quickly.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing! I was awesome! 18th overall female and 3rd in AG.
Bike
  • 1h 11m 10s
  • 23.5 miles
  • 19.81 mile/hr
Comments:

Great course great bike ride! Only problem was on Generals Highway the coned off portion was a bit tight and some people had some serious issues with blocking. I actually had to yell at a guy for getting in my way ;)

Going up main street at the beginning was surreal. The first mile took me by my old house in Tidewater Colony and my favorite Wawa and then Nordstrom! Some of my favorite places in Annapolis :) The policeman and volunteers were so numerous it was amazing! And probably more orange cones than AA County even owns!

My effort was just perfect on this ride! There are a couple of big downhills that I zoomed past a bunch of timid riders. Its funny what the big LP downhill will do for confidence! The course was the perfect mix of up and down. Only one really challenging hill - the rest was all rolling.
What would you do differently?:

Absolutely nothing.
Transition 2
  • 01m 34s
Comments:

13 AG 60th overall.
Not much to say. Probably sat too long in the grass - but moved quickly with the bike.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Run
  • 59m 54s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 09m 39s  min/mile
Comments:

Terrible run. The first 2 miles or so I pushed hard. A good ~8 min pace I suspect. Then I just didn't feel like racing anymore so I just started jogging. My breath wasn't even rushed. I guess this is the IM burnout coming through. Embarassing actually. With 300 meters to go I almost caught a USMA cadet who was racing and looked pretty bad. Then we turned the corner towards the stadium and the tunnel. Along the side of the building were many class years in big silver plated numbers. Between wanting to "Beat Army" like the old days and all the class years along the side of the structure I started sprinting like mad! I passed like 4 people in the last 200 yds or so! Wish that motivation came earlier! Running along the stadium finish I saw Dave and gave him a high five. It was amazing running along to the 50 yard line! So cool!
What would you do differently?:

Find some motivation - somewhere.
Post race
Warm down:

Hyperventilation!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Mental toughness. A tough week personally.

Event comments:

One of the best races EVER period. Tricolumbia and Vigo always do an OUTSTANDING job. My only gripe was I had to wait for my T1 bag for 30 minutes. But considering the traffic and some of the slower athletes that they had to wait to get out of T1 to transport the bags I understand.




Last updated: 2007-01-16 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:24:33 | 1640 yards | 01m 30s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/75
Overall: 0/377
Performance: Average
Suit: sleeveless
Course: No nettles - beautiful course
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 77F / 25C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Average
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 01:50
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Yes
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:11:10 | 23.5 miles | 19.81 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/75
Overall: 0/377
Performance: Good
Wind:
Course: Awesome!
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 01:34
Overall: Good
Riding w/ feet on shoes Good
Jumping off bike Good
Running with bike Good
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
00:59:54 | 06.21 miles | 09m 39s  min/mile
Age Group: 37/75
Overall: 187/377
Performance: Bad
Course: Mostly flat with some loops around the stadium (not really a fan) and up the NA bridge.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 2
Physical exertion [1-5] 2
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2007-09-10 8:01 AM

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Elite
2844
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Reston VA
Subject: Annapolis Triathlon


2007-09-10 8:19 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Regular
117
100
Gettysburg, PA
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon
Great Race. I wish I could post a swim time even close to that. Another fast bike.

Sorry you struggled on the run...mine didn't go so well either...especially after I crossed the finish line.
2007-09-10 9:03 AM
in reply to: #957717

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Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon

Awesome report!  Great job in finding motivation, it always helps to be near the alma matter!

Since I spent much of my adult and teenage life in Annapolis I knew the course really well.  But I was in a quandry since I was in the Army as an enlisted, then went to NAPS and was c/o '96 at the Academy before resigning, so not sure where my loyaties lay.

2007-09-10 9:04 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Expert
623
500100
Wye Mills, MD
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon

Great race report, Shelly. It's cool to read about the inspiration you drew from the setting. Excellent race, too. You smoked the bike. And blazing fast transitions.

LOL! Glad to hear that my planning tips worked out. Tongue out

2007-09-10 9:12 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Regular
92
252525
Middletown, DE
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon

Great race Michelle.  Way to push thru that run.  It was hot out there. 

2007-09-10 9:32 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Master
1420
1000100100100100
Reston, VA
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon
Very nice race!

I knew you would do well. Top 20% overall and top 20% in your AG is very very good. I know you will be ready to roll next year after all the running you are going to do this winter.

Again - really nice race and way to pick off a few people at the end!


2007-09-10 9:41 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Not a Coach
11473
5000500010001001001001002525
Media, PA
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon
Nice job!  Glad you were able to enjoy the race after a tough week.  Don't worry about the motivation on the run--it'll come back again. 
2007-09-10 11:20 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Expert
1166
10001002525
Northern VA
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon

Great race, how cool to be racing in an area that you know so well and holds so many memories. Even with the run, it sounds like it was a great way to wind down the tri season.

I like how you are always having to swim over the slow guys in front of you.

Congrats!

2007-09-10 11:28 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon

Hey Michelle,

Great race and smoking fast swim!  That was cool that your parents were there and that you got to race in Annapolis.  Congrats.

Ernie

2007-09-10 12:01 PM
in reply to: #957692

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Master
1565
10005002525
SMIBville
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon
Great RR!  It must have felt great to tear it up on your old stompin' grounds!  Nice to finally meet you, too!
2007-09-10 2:41 PM
in reply to: #957692

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Veteran
156
1002525
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon
Way to go Shelly!!!  You had a smokin' swim and bike.  Even though you had a lack of motivation mid run, it is so cool that finishing at the stadium got you jazzed enough to kick it in at the end.  Great race!!!


2007-09-10 3:51 PM
in reply to: #957692

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Pro
4481
20002000100100100100252525
Reston
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon

Schweeeet race!  I bet you had the bestest looking bike on that whole damn course (I don't care what Daremo says about his Felt).

2007-09-11 9:19 AM
in reply to: #957692

Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon
Sorry it took so long to get to this, by the way. What a great - and inspiring report. I think just your opening alone is worthy of BT article material. PERSPECTIVE is so important in this sport.

It sounds like you had a really great day personally and in performance and you should be so proud for a top of the pack finish in overall and in age group. Even though your run motivation came late, it CAME and you pulled out a great finish.

Keep up the amazing work as a fabulous female athlete. Tink OOO
2007-09-11 11:43 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Member
16

Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon
Good swim time, and way to stick out the run even though you lost some of the drive.

I did the exact same thing at the end of the run,where i sprinted the last 200-300yrds. My drive was there during the run but my body said stay the course or else....
2007-09-11 2:09 PM
in reply to: #957692

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon

Oh wow, I'm glad you enjoyed this course so much...it sounds like a great race. And, congrats on a smokin' T1!

Overall, you raced excellently and enjoyed the day. No worries about the motivation on the run; like JK said, it'll come back. Plus, I think it's hard to really finish out the tri season strong after doing an IM (and your first IM nonetheless).

Nice job. Keep up the good work!

Oh, and is attending Annapolis anything like the movie? I am assuming you saw the movie. I only saw it because the bar scenes were filmed up the street from me in this wee tiny town with many bars where I have to dodge drunks on bikes everytime I head out for a ride.



Edited by LaurenSU02 2007-09-11 2:10 PM
2007-09-12 11:11 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon

Great race!!

Sounds like fun location with lots of cool memories for you.

Nice splits all around and way to finish strong...hey I know with your training you'll be kicking it up on the run even more. I'd love run split like that.

Congrats! 



2007-09-13 10:34 AM
in reply to: #957692

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Veteran
219
100100
Centreville, MD
Subject: RE: Annapolis Triathlon
I'd say you represented the USNA well! Awesome job!  I'd say it's better to be motivated in the end and finish on a high note. Well done.
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