Well this was my first race back on the tri scene in two years. The race was a half-mile swim, 21 mile bike, and 5.2 mile run. So the swim was more sprintish, but the bike and the run were closer to Olympic distance.
SWIM (1/2 mile in 17 minutes)
The swim took place in this pretty little lake. Everyone's opinion was that the half mile swim was short, which is fine by me! The water actually wasn't that bad - I think our "heat wave" last week warmed the water up to 65 or so. I could have done it without the wetsuit if necessary, but it was good practice. On the other hand, I was totally one of those 3 minute transitioners because of the wetsuit. Normally I am under two minutes, but I took my sweet precious time. I wasn't racing this all that hard, as they only gave out awards for the top three men and women, so I wasn't even close to being in the running. It's amazing the effort I'll expend when I might win some bling :-)
BIKE (21 miles in 1:24 - really? really?)
The bike... was disheartening. I'm usually best at the bike and pass a crapload of people, but it was hilly. I was warned though. I was looking at my Garmin afterwards and I had several miles where I wasn't even hitting 10 mph on average for the mile and several miles where I was averaging 25 mph. But it was a pretty bike ride. And I didn't fall over on my bike on the last hill like I was afraid of doing. I saw a girl do this once on the Hill of Death at the Cornman and ever since, I have been petrified of doing the same!
RUN (5.2 miles in 53 minutes)
The run was a trail run on the above trails, which was a nice change. The run was quite nice. I wasn't a huge fan of the two loop course because I got passed a lot on the first loop by people who were on their second loop. But by the second loop I knew who I should chase down and did the second loop a minute faster. The trails were pretty though!
SUMMARY
The best part though was starting a race with temps in the 50s and ending in the 60s. Back in the midwest, by the time you were on the run, it was in the 80s. My first Olympic distance race (Big Creek) I crossed the finish line and they yelled "She's dry!" and hauled me into the ambulance because I was apparently no longer sweating.
My friend won the women's division. My bike time was my worst performance (back in the midwest I typically did Olympic distance races (25 miles) in the same time I did 21 miles on saturday AND I wasn't riding 50-80 miles every weekend back there). I came in at 2:41 total.
I did win a door prize too - a t-shirt from the local brewery (Boundary Bay).
I'm also leaning very heavily towards signing up for this Half-IM in August. It is a favorite race of my friend who won this event. And the bike! It's meant for me. 56 miles of rollers with a long downhill into the finish (point to point course). That's what me and my triathlon bike were born to do! (I used my road bike this weekend, since that is what I have been riding).
This week I have a 12 mile run on tap tonight, a 50 mile bike ride on Wednesday night, and an century ride on Saturday. Oh, don't let me forget a grueling kickball match on Thursday night. It requires a lot of effort to lose 17-0!
4 comments:
Hi Danielle,
Great post, glad to hear you're back in the Tri world. From your pictures it looked like a nice race, the trail run always serves as a nice change in the race.
... and an FYI, I've been working on a guest post for the Ray's blog, I just want to do it justice for my first "voice" on his much followed page!
You are fast, congrats. But I am "struck" by the 12 mile on the dreadmill, how can you resist? I like the pictures, was this a tri in any hidden paradise?
@Bertie: Can't wait for that guest post!
@Black Knight: Oh I definitely didn't run 12 miles on the treadmill! That was outside. The tri was in Bellingham WA, which is indeed a hidden paradise. Mountains, ocean, lakes!
Hi Danielle! Oh yes, the "Hill of Death!" I think when I turn 60 and am skinny, I am going to go back an kick that hill's ass! :-)
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