I swam. I biked. I ran. I Raced for the Booty…and I got it!
2nd Place (out of 6) in the Athena 39 and under division!
But lets back up to the beginning.
The swim was once again absolutely terrifying – mostly because of how cold it was.
The tide was out so we had to go reeeealy far before we could actually swim. So my legs actually had time to get used to the 72* water. But then I dove in – and was basically SHOCKED.
I started hyperventilating as soon as the water hit my chest and for a minute I seriously considered turning back and calling it a day. I couldn’t breathe. I was gasping for air. A lot of the women around me were having the same reaction. I flipped onto my back and just floated there for a second though & got a bit calmed down.
Once I was moving again, my breathing was all over the place. So once again I didn’t swim with my face in the water. BUT, I kept moving the whole time and didn’t switch strokes at all.
I won’t go as far as calling the swim a “win” because of the whole no-face-in-the-water deal. But I made progress – I wasn’t panicked the whole time and I didn’t switch strokes.
Swim Time: .25 mi / 9 min 10 seconds. (5 out of 6)
One great thing about this race was the quick trip from the swim into transition. Only about 100 yards! That trip was included in our T1 time.
It was chilly – and windy – so my T1 felt a bit slow as I took the time to add an extra layer. (Thank goodness for friends that loan me windbreakers!)
T1 Time: 2 min 26 seconds. (4 out of 6)
I had high hopes for the bike – aiming for an average of 18mph. But it was windy, the course was a bit hilly and there were several 90* turns. I’m always the first to say that cycling is my strongest leg, but I’m not very confident on turns (read: I slow waaaaay down) and the only “hill training” I get is in spin class.
When I was riding with the wind (ha!) I was maintaining anywhere from 19-22mph. But then I’d drop to 14-15mph into the wind. And then the turns, don’t get me started on the turns…
But overall I felt like I was riding strong…until I saw my results:
Bike Time: 10+ miles / 41min 10 seconds. (5 out of 6 – so much for being my “strong” leg!)
My feet felt like ice blocks when I got off of the bike, but I had a great T2 – jacket off, change shoes, grab my hat & GO.
T2 Time: 1:35 (2 out of 6)
The.run.was.awesome!
For the first time I felt great during the run! (Does that mean I didn’t push hard enough on the bike?)
My legs didn’t feel fresh, but I didn’t feel bad either. I was tempted to forego the run:walk intervals – but common sense told me to stick with my plan and run 3: walk 1.
There was one woman in front of me that I knew I was racing against (because of her race #) and my goal the entire run was to pass her. I caught her with 1 mile to go!
And yes, I was worried the entire time she’d get me back so I picked up the pace a bit!
I really felt great as I was crossing the finish line – I wasn’t quite to the point of puking, but I definitely felt like I would have died if I would have needed to run any further.
Run Time: 3 miles / 35 min 43 seconds (3 out of 6)
I was thrilled at the end of the race – I didn’t know whether I placed, but I felt good about my race – like I actually belonged out there. I might not have been fast, but I was fast “for me”.
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes 3 seconds (2 out of 6)
It’s obvious to me that I only placed this well because I had a fast T2. But frankly, I don’t care. I had a great race – and right now, going into the off season, that’s all I care about.
I know what I need to work on going forward, but I’m finishing the season on a high note.
***************
As for the race itself, I would highly recommend Race for the Booty!
The staff – and volunteers – were wonderful. The course was well marked – and they warned us in advance of the tight turns.
Everything was well organized – a BIG plus for the first year of an event!
Plus, there was a Pirate handing out awards. I may or may not have had “a moment” with the Pirate…
I already can’t wait until next year’s event!
You’ve sold me! I want to do this one with you next year!
You totally should! I really had fun at this race! (I’m hoping to find more put on by the same people.)
Woo-hoo! Congrats girl!! What an awesome race
Mission completed: “Ended season on a high note!”
So happy for you! Congrats on placing and on having an awesome run! Also, transitions are the 4th discipline in triathlons and should never be underestimated!
Enjoy your off season!
I never looked at transitions like the 4th discipline of triathlons – that’s a GREAT way to think about them. Now if I could just figure out the whole “flying mount/dismount” thing we’d be all set!
WAY TO GO!!! So excited that you had a good race… just what you needed!
Wow 2nd place AG? Rock on! that’s really cool! Your comfort in the water will come with time. Don’t sweat that. Took me about 2 years but now I love open water. You did have a great T2, but more importantly everyone else blew up in one leg where you were very consistent! that’s the key. I think you pushed hard enough on the bike to get the job done and still have fresh legs for a good run. Push harder on the bike and you won’t be able to run.
That’s the fun thing about tri’s, you have to be able to manage all three sports in the same race. I do plenty of 70.3′s where I crush the bike and walk most of the run leg because I have nothing left in the tank.
Good point about being consistent – I tend to get so caught up in being “slow” that I don’t focus on what I actually did right! And I sure hope I get used to the open water – it’s weird because I’m great in the Gulf during practice swims, but come race day I still freak out. (Lakes are a whole other ball of wax…I’ll deal with those later.)
Hope you have a GREAT time this weekend – can’t wait to hear how it all goes!!!
I’m so happy you signed up for another race and had a good time!! I knew you would
I’m definitely glad I signed up – it was one of the best last minute decisions I’ve ever made! Now I *know* I can do this – I just need to keep on pushing!
Wow! Congratulations!! I’ve never even come CLOSE to placing, so I’m very impressed! And I can’t believe you did that swim in the freezing water without a wetsuit. So brave!
Honestly, if I raced in my age group I’d never be close to placing either. There’s usually only a hand full of Athena’s (2 of them I was the ONLY one!) so I have a decent chance. It actually felt much better to place because I finished faster than other people…rather than placing by default because there were only 3 of us in the category to begin with.
The FIRST thing on my wish list for next season is a wetsuit – that water was just WAY too cold!
Yeah, a wetsuit is a great investment!
Woo hoo! Congrats on a great race!!
Congratulations! I would have died in the water, I don’t do well with cold! You did great in the cold, in the wind, on the up hill, the run! Fantastic job!
congratulation Theresa, Kim and I put on few races, the longboat key triathlons, the gator half and olympic triathlon, and the Race for the Booty, and few new races in 2012
Can’t wait to see what the new races are in 2012! I’ve got the Gator olympic in my sights this spring, so hopefully this winter will be a good one for training!
Congratulations Theresa! Way to end your season on a high note!
This is so awesome Theresa! I’m sorry to say I’ve been so far behind on my blog reading, but I really need to keep up with you because you are so inspirational to me. I wish we lived just a bit closer so that I could impose on you to help me get over my tri intimidation. I really want to do one! Maybe next season. You are awesome!
You’re too kind Caroline! I highly recommend triathlons to anyone and everyone now – they’re SO much fun and frankly, the variation in training is absolutely awesome! We’ll definitely have to plan a get-together in the spring (I know it’s going to be crazy with the holidays approaching) and run together – or even swim!