Clemson Sprint Tri Race Report

I have been SUPER busy this week and really don't have the time to do this now, but I will try.



Yes, that's aero bars on my bike. David put them on the night before the tri, and I tried them out on Saturday. Yeah, I know the rules of don't try things for the first time in an event, but I don't listen very well. Check out my pic ---> Yeah, I'm in aero (sort of). I need to work on this some. :-)

We headed out quite early, 5:30ish A.M to get to Clemson, about an hr away. We brought my training partner with us. It was early, and I didn't get nervous at all until Denine and I went to the port o johns and saw the lake. It was huge and the buoy's looked SOOOO far out there. I got butterflies, as I suppose I should since this was my first lake swim tri. I kept thinking that since our wave wasn't that huge, at least one of those kayak peeps would save me if I started to drown. As eminem was playing in the background, I was wishing David's team mates and friends good luck, then Denine and I started to do the rap wave, knowing we looked like fools. I tell ya, the music and how loud it is, and the bullhorn is a great combo to take the nervous shakes away. An inspired feeling brushed across me, thinking back to a year ago, Robin and I standing there watching David start. I think I told her "I wouldn't do that swim". Here I was... and I was STOKED!

Swim:
David's wave went off right before us female age-groupers. As soon as they were off, we got in the C-O-L-D water. As I mentioned in a previous post, my strategy was to get to the outside (far left), and just try to stay there. As soon as I got in the water, I had that panic feeling from the cold, taking my breathe away. I think we had 3 minutes before our start. I thought that that was enough time, but it took me a a few times of putting my face in the water trying to breathe under water. It was so cold, I couldn't blow out the first few times. I was like "this ain't happening, I gotta breathe under water". So, after a few more times, I was all set. After the horn blew, I really think it took me about 1 min before I got into a good pace for myself. I just hung onto it, and pretty much stayed in my left lane of the lake without much hassle from the other ladies. I didn't site much neither. I breathe right so every stroke of breathe, I could see the others and as long as I stayed somewhat a few feet from them I knew I was on course. I rounded the buoy still feeling strong and kept going. I think I drifted out further than I should have. When I rounded the 2nd and final buoy, I had 1/3 of the 750m to go, and I could tell the next wave was catching up with me, which is fine. It just caught me off guard, and we encountered some choppy waters too all the way in. After I got out of the water, it was a long climb up the hill, and around the corner, into transition in the back. I'd say that added quite a few minutes.

T1 was 1:17, easy. The wetsuit came off rather nicely, and I took off. I took my gel as I headed out on the course.

Bike:
I think overall I had a decent bike ride. It was VERY hilly and they weren't joking when they said there was a steep climb at mile 3. I just kept shifting until I could climb it. At mile 5, I must have messed with my gears too much, because I dropped the chain. I stopped, got off my bike, fixed it and was off. I had grease ALL over my hands, and legs. Don't ask me how.... Anyway, I enjoyed the ride and didn't stress too much over going fast. I knew I had a run to do, and with how my right leg has been giving me crap lately, I took it fairly easy on the ride.

T2 was the EXACT same as T1: 1:17, and easy.

Run:
I couldn't believe when I saw "mile 1" marked on the road. I thought for sure we were at the half way point already. You've got to be kidding me. Then, Jeremy (race director) made us climb a wall, aka VERY steep hill and out onto a narrow piece of land surrounded by water. This was our turn around point, and I was heading back. I did Okay on the run, but not great. I had to just shuffle because of my left shin pain (it's on the inside of my leg). We had a 3/4 mile gradual uphill climb then a left to the finish line. When I came into site, I could see David smiling at me. I was thrilled to be done with it, and had that feeling of "I want more".

That feeling lasted until I saw the results. I'm quite disappointed in the final results, not because of anyone else but because of me. But, It's something I'm going to improve on, if I continue with the sport. I know what I need to do, to do well (for me) at Irongirl. It's just 6 1/2 wks away. Then after that, who knows?

Results: Swim 750m (20:23) - includes the long trek to transition
Bike 11 miles (43:02)
Run 5K (33:27)



After the race, we went to Wild Wings for some munchies with friends Chris and Janice, Denine, and spectator friend Margaret. It was a fun time, with lots of laughs, food, adult beverages and fun. We had a great weekend spending it with family. I didn't do the Virtual 10K because I'm giving my leg a whole week of no running, and icing it nightly. Since my plan calls for several runs this week, I'm substituting elliptical for the running until next week.

Last night I got in a 2000yd swim of mixed drills, with a main set (1x1000) and some cool down yardage. It went alrighty! The plan also called for 40min of running, that I switched to elliptical right after the swim.

Today for lunch was 30 min of elliptical, and tonight I'm spinning my bike while watching Dora with Grace for an hr. Blah.... dislike the trainer.

David is in Boston for a few days, then he returns and heads to Sunny SoCal (again) for a few days. Total looser... ;-)
So, I have to be creative with my workouts this week. :-)

I know I say this A LOT, but I'm super busy. But, get this? It will be WAY better next week. This is my last week in class, and I have super duper reserves this weekend, and then I hope to slow down some, increase my mileage on the bike, and start running again next week. With that said, I'll try to read blogs at some point this week. It's just me and the little lady, so I can't promise anything.