Celebration Sprint Tri Race Report

Yesterday was the Celebration Sprint Triathlon (.62 mile swim, 17.5 mile bike, 3.4 mile bike).

I was looking forward to this race as it was my first of the season but I was also very anxious as I know I did not properly prepare for the swim. I think I actually spent less time in the pool in prep for this race than I did the Iron Girl last year. But I was excited to get back into the race atmosphere and challenge myself.

Swim - 31:37
T1 - 4:23
Bike - 1:10:23
T2 - 2:30
Run - 43:24
Total finish - 2:32:16

My overall time was slightly, by a few seconds, faster than the 2009 Iron Girl.

Swim - WOW, I was VERY anxious, the water was uber warm so that didn't help and the seaweed, vegetation, water plants whatever you want to call them was REALLY thick, particularly at the beginning and end of the swim. This put me into a major panic, I did freestyle for about a 1/2 sec then realized I needed to calm down or I was not going to make it. I was hoping to do at least 1/2 the distance free style, that did not happen but I finished. It turned out my swim was slightly faster than the 2009 IG swim

Bike - I went out strong and finished strong, my legs are paying for that today but I did well, overall I was a couple minutes faster than the 2009 IG and didn't have any chain issues. My average speed was about 5 mph faster than 2009 IG.

Run - HOT, HOT, HOT. My run was slower than the 2009 IG by a couple of minutes, I walked probably 1/4 - 1/2 of the run and consumed more beverages than I have in the past. I'm glad that I wasn't still racing at 1-2 p.m. in the afternoon because it got even hotter. I need to work on some bricks (back to back events) and I think that will help me out with the run. If I reserved a bit of energy from the bike I might have had better legs.

Unfortunately going into the race I just wasn't feeling right, I wasn't relaxed and overall was just worried about how I would do. No excuses here just writing how I felt.

Hagerstown Tri (shorter distance) is in 4 weeks, the swim is in a pool, yippee. Less than 24 hours after my first race I'm excited about the next race. Immediately after a race you get feelings that question why you do things. But do you think this is crazy and you don't want to do it anymore or do you immediately start to analyze areas where you can improve and move on to the next race, I have done that. At this point triathlons are about me and improving my race times but ultimately just about being happy. Yes it's always fun to beat others, particularly people younger than you but that is not where the joy really comes from.

Once again, I have to thank all my friends that sent well wishes before the race, they mean a great deal to me and are VERY MUCH appreciated. I have some GREAT friends. And of course I couldn't do all of this without the support of my WONDERFUL hubby. He stood out in the heat taking pictures and waiting for me. I saw him when I got out of the swim, when I was coming in from the bike and at the finish line. It means the world to me that he supports my crazy ideas and his words of encouragement always get me through. THANK YOU!

8 days and counting

My first triathlon of the season is next Sunday. I'm confident with my bike and run but the swim will kick my butt again this season. I haven't gotten to the pool as much as I have wanted too but I think I have improved my breathing a bit more than last year, so I'm really hoping to do as much freestyle as possible. That will at least give me a gauge of what I can do and what I need to work on.

This morning I did a 4.5 mile non-stop run. This is my longest run so far and it felt pretty good. I didn't look at my watch until .68 left. That always seems to be one of my biggest problems, clock watching. It was a good run, the heat hasn't kicked in yet.

If I keep at this pace, I'll be on target to be at the 6 mile mark in prep for the Make A Wish in September.