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 Swim
Comments: Got stuck in line, so I think I was in the 4th or 5th wave of 50 swimmers each. Each wave would wade out to about waist deep and wait for the "horn" to go off. So I waded out and then looked at the course ahead and moved a little more to my left, which would give me a little closer route to the bouy. At the signal, started out good and strong, but quickly felt limp and floppy. Ended up doing a trick I never thought I'd need: turning over on my back a few times. The second half of the swim was stronger than the first, as I began to feel better. (Maybe I ate those sports beans (half a pack) too close to the swim start and they upset my tummy.) What would you do differently?: Do more sprinting in my swim practices (to get my heartrate up there) in order to get used to how it feels to swim in a tri when you're super excited!  Transition 1
Comments: I don't know why my time is over 4 minutes. Guess I was a slow walker or something or took too long to organize my stuff! Once across the timing mat, then we were allowed to mount or continue walking our bikes up a short hill to the road to mount there. I went past the timing mat a teeny distance and got on. My bike was already in a low enough gear that I could easily ride up the incline and make the right turn onto the road shoulder. (Apparently, some people in the first tri that day, tried to ride up in the wrong gear and fell over when they realized that it was a hill!) What would you do differently?: Not much, except maybe practice putting socks on wet feet while standing up. It's a little harder than putting them on dry feet (although I dried my feet a teeny bit on my towel, I didn't want to take a lot of time). Oh, also just take off and put on things faster!  Bike
Comments: Great course, except for the challenging hills! What would you do differently?: Stupid front derailleur. Must go back to shifting 101 to learn how to shift the front gears without getting them all messed up! Transition 2
Comments: Pretty easy transition, since I had practiced the strap system on my new cycling shoes, and I put bungee laces on my running shoes, so I only had to slip them on--no tying laces! But it took my second try to put my bike on the rack properly. What would you do differently?: Practice racking my bike during race set up so I can do it faster in T2. Keep practicing with the ratchet release on my cycling shoes.  Run
Comments: I just took it easy. Kinda messed up at the beginning, though. I went across the timing mats, then down the concrete walkway toward the lake. I was looking at the bathhouse restroom building ahead of me, and then I wasn't sure where to go next. ('Though they did say counterclockwise!) I even turned clear around--saw my hubby with the camera! Commented that I was a little confused. Then a couple others passed me heading toward the restroom, so I followed them and then found the trail. What would you do differently?: Make sure I know how the run route begins and make sure I check out ahead of time what direction to go in!!! Post race
Warm down: Walked around, had some more to drink, went and got some food, etc. Should have done more stretching. What limited your ability to perform faster: I felt yucky all week, whether it was just from nerves, or something I ate (ate at a restaurant the beginning of the week for Father's Day), I don't really know. Then after a long swim on Wednesday, three days before the tri, my arms and back felt strained because I wearing a new swimsuit that fits tightly. (It's supposed to be my size, but it needs to stretch a little!) I felt quite blah on Thursday and Friday and just rested. So really I'm happy I did as well as did. (At least I wasn't dead last!) Profile Album Last updated: 2009-02-13 12:00 AM
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United States
Bellingham Parks & Recreation Dept.
70F / 21C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 196/245
Age Group = 45-49F
Age Group Rank = 13/17
Since the race is 1 p.m., didn't have to get up too early in the morning! Had time to eat breakfast--just a simple one of toast, 1 egg and fruit. Then finished packing my stuff, picked out some CD's for the car, etc., etc. My hubby was driving, so I could just kick back and try to relax. Put on some soothing music to help calm myself and tried not to think too much about how nervous I felt.
We got there in plenty of time to park and pick up my packet before they let us in the transition area at 12 noon. So after I picked out a spot for my bike and laid out my stuff, I kinda jogged around to get warm. Went in and out of the transition area a few times and counted the racks from each direction so I would be able to quickly go to the right one in each transition. Finally when I felt warm, I got in the water for a little swim. I forgot to put in my ear plugs, so I didn't put my head down. I talked a little too long to one of my neighbors on the rack, so this last part was a little rushed. When I went back for my earplugs, I couldn't find them right away, so I was nearly or could have been the very last one to leave the area when the call came for the swim. But not to worry--first we had to listen to a "pep" talk with information about the swim course, and the overall course, and anyone who can't swim, please don't get in the water! (he, he) Okay, ready to go!