Timex Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

I did ok on the swim. I have lost a lot of time in past swims stopping and getting out of the frey, etc... This time I just tried to keep motoring. I only had to stop once when to girls on either side of me pinched me off. My arms were getting tired, and I think it was becuase of the wetsuit. Now I kind of wish I would have done it without it. Who knew I would EVER say that?

I wish I had a sleveless wetsuit.

They had strippers, so getting out of my suit was good. Had to wipe a lot of grass off my feet, which slowed me down a bit, but I am ok with my T1 time.

And this is where the whole race was shot for me. I could NOT figure out for the life of my why it felt like I was pulling lead behind my bike and why it was so hard!! I could NOT get going and people were passing me like I was standing still. Usually *I* am the one passing people. I was convinced it was just an off day for me, but how could it be? I took the last 2 days off, and my legs should not be tired, etc.... After 1 lap I checked my tire pressure, but they were ok, so I kept going. After lap 2 I checked my ave speed on the bike. 16mph!!! This is unheard of for me, especially on such a flat course!! I KNEW something wasn't right then. So on the bridge over the 202 I just stopped to check things out again, and that's when it hit me!! Check your brakes dumn arse!!! And there it was. Front brake was totally pushed to the left, rubbing up against my tire!!!! OMG!!! Once I moved it...WOW! What a difference. Now I was killing it trying to make up for lost time, but it was already to late. I knew I would finish the race, and would enjoy the run (just get me to the run!!!) but I was very disheartened about the whole thing. I could have finally posted a greatl Oly time (for me) if I would have had a good bike leg. Oh well...next time, right? I am SOOO making up a check list before my next race. Item #1: Check Bike breaks!

Um.....checked my bike over. Grrrrrrrr!

I knew my T2 was going to be long as I had to put on my 2 layered knee brace, AND the let us wear iPods, so I was NOT passing that up. I HATE to hear myself breathe, and when I run to the right music, all I have to do is keep my feet shuffling to the beat, and I know I will have a good run time. And look...I did!

Yay! The run!! It had been cloudy all morning which kept the temps down. The skies parted JUST in time for my run! It heated up and made the run more brutal. I just carried 1 eccelorade and 1 water flask in my belt, and took water occasionally at the aid stations, and filled up my water flask again on the last one. I felt good on the run. When I finished up loop 1 (3.1 miles) and saw I had done it in roughly 27 min, I was stoked, and knew I could make my goal of under 3 hrs if I kept this pace up. I must have continued at exactly the same pace, as my run was exactly 54 min! Was very happy about my run time considering how much I was mashing on the bike. At least I had something good come out of this race!!

Have the sun not be out!!

Walked and drank!


MY FREAKEN BIKE BREAK AND MY ABILITY TO THINK MY WAY OUT OF THE "SLOW BIKE" PAPER BAG!!!


Hung out afterward with a few of my peeps and waited for Jerry to finish his first Oly. Got to see Chris, Aaron, Dan, Rick, Milton, Sally, and Paulette after the race. Saw Woz once on the bike, and never saw Sterling or Brian. Said goodbye to Kathy as she was leaving. Triathlon is so much more fun when you have friends around!!!