Woke up early as usual and headed the 15 minutes over to the race site with my Dad who was playing 'sherpa' for me. So nice to have such supportive family! My mom and Jeff brought the kids up a little later. I set up transition and said hi to the couple people I knew at the race. Got a little nervous when I saw what looked like some fast bikes on my rack. Not that I'm trying to win the race but I always feel a little out of place! I thought this would be a little more low-key race but turns out this was a points generator for region rankings and the speedsters were out. Sold out race too!
For a pool swim tri everyone lines up in order according to the estimated swim time you put down. They send everyone off every 5 seconds or so. Here we are waiting in line for the start!
I waited around about 25-30 minutes for my start as I was number 282. But my turn came quick enough and I wasn't nervous at all when my time came. A quick swim in the pool and I'd be done with the most nerve-wracking part of a tri for me. Ready, set, go!
In the first 50 meters the girl behind me zooms by, then dies at beginning of second 50 and I had to pass her back. Really? It's a longer race than that, how about a little steadiness? Passed one more then came up on the guy who started in front of me with 100 to go. Started to pass him then when I got close I found out he was swinging really wide and I got a mouth full of water so pulled up short. Waited until the last 50 and just made sure to breathe to the other side and passed him. I don't think he cared for that because I could tell he sped up, but I made the pass easily. My family was watching from right beside the last lane. I could hear my kids yelling for me on that last 50, smiled underwater. :) They were adorable (and probably annoying to others) yelling 'Go mommy go!' over and over. Goal was 7:45 and I was out and across the mat in time; 350m swim = 7:35.
Me passing that last guy! See ya! ;)
So glad to be out! Hey!
Grandma and Tristen hanging out pool-side.
Jeff and Syd hanging out watching the race.Easy transition and was off on the bike. This bike route had a lot of turns and slight uphills so it wasn't hard but it made it hard to get any real speed. No pics since it was kind of hard to spectate that part. Goal was 40 minutes for the bike, 12 mile bike = 39:22. Threw on the run gear and was off for a 5k. It was getting pretty hot out and the first mile is always key. Your body will tell you if you've got anything for the day or if it's going to be a looooonnnggg run.
Heading out on the run. Smiling!
After the first mile I came up on a guy who seemed to be doing a decent pace. After a minute or two I just decided to sit in right behind him and follow. At a mile and a half I figured out this would be a good run for me. The run course had two main uphill sections and I was up and over easier than I thought. Cashing in my banked training hours. On the last downhill (picture above) I let things out a little, passed and dropped the last two guys who I think were struggling a little bit (yes, it was hot!) and finished in decent shape. Run goal was under 33 minutes, 3.1 mile run=31:53.
Last 200 meters yay!
After the race I met up with John (from my tri club) and his friend Nancy (nice to meet ya!). Everyone had a great race! My total race time was 1:21:02. The kids headed home while we hung out and waited for awards. I was pretty sure I would be close in my group. Ma & pa were kind enough to wait it out with me in the heat and sun.
Lucky for my kids, I was 2nd place Athena! Here is my little shiny trophy. I also won a free month at Cooper and some free chick-fil-a stuff - how fun is that?
It was a great race - super thanks to everyone who came out to help and cheer! Next up is the blackland tri in plano on Labor Day. They have a great little cookout afterwards plus it's so fun to watch the youth race before. If you are feeling the racing bug, hope to see you there!
