YWCA Race Report 8/15/10

Once again this race topped it with the volunteers and just the whole atmosphere at this triathlon was so different than any other. I had a woman come up to me before the race and thank me for giving her all the advice at a YW clinic I helped out at earlier this year...I thought to myself wow that's so nice of her! I feel like I'm still learning myself, but it felt good to be able to be an inspiration and help out others who are JUST starting out.
I warmed up like I usually do but really was feeling out of it today...After the warm up I was really not sure how this would go. I had been battling a cold this week not sure if it was due to so many races I've done in a row (5th weekend)..
or just a lot of training or just a COLD.

Swim: I was all confused with what WAVE I was in, but at the last moment managed to figure it out. I usually get in the water and swim for a bit but because of the Wave confusion I didn't get to. So right away I thought wow maybe this is an off day. Then shortly into the swim I thought ok have to focus, push, do my best. Finished the swim strong 9:30 500yards
Bike: First time races with race wheels. HED's in between an 808 and a 404 I was excited. The bike was extremely windy and there were A LOT of potholes! I felt pretty strong on the bike today compared to other races. Finished in 40:53 - 22 MPH. Not my best time but I did feel strong.
Run: Felt hard, but good. I came out of transition in second place and managed to come out on top finishing my 5K in 20:54 6:44 pace, my best of the season yet!
Summary: 1:14 total time. 1st place woman, 2nd year in a row at this one. I was so happy to come out with a win and was really excited to get a sub 7min pace for my run. I have been trying to get it down there this season but hadn't been able to until today!
I had a lot of people come up to me after the race and thank me for my advice again and congratulate me. These people had only met me once or twice and they were so nice and most importantly, for most of them, they had completed their first triathlon! I felt so happy to have been able to help out in their journey which is what really matters in the end.

Next up Ragnar Relay!

Lakefront Days Race Report

The day started out gloomy and this was my forth weekend in a row racing. I tried to take it easy all week and only did one bike ride, which felt tough. I was, of course, excited to be racing. I think I am having some sort of crazy racing kick and I can't stop no matter how bad I feel during the race...=)

Swim started out pretty good, no goggle problems anymore. The lake was super weedy though. Got out of the water in 8:09 for 1/4 mile swim. Everyone said the swim was long, but I guess I'll just by the official distance.

Bike was ok. By the time I got out of water the rain had started. The bike was all in the rain. The bike was tough for me, even though the course wasn't too bad. Some rolling hills but nothing too out of the ordinary. I didn't really have it in my legs just like all the other races. The bike has been the toughest aside from the run. I hope I can bounce back and feel strong again on the bike like I have before. But today I just wanted to do my best and not crash with the rain coming down pretty strong. Total bike time: 37:39 13.5 Bike 21.5MPH.

Run: The run actually felt good. My time is still NOT sub 7min but I am getting closer! The run went smoothly and I felt pretty strong on the run despite a tough bike, for me at least. Total run 23:22 7:05 pace, 3.3 miles.

Summary: 3rd Overall for Females, happy with that. Total time: 1:11.22 (broke course record) Legs feeling it for SHO =)
Compression socks worn for the first time in the race, pretty good.

Next up: Possible double header, but most likely just the YW.

Waseca 1/3 Ironman Race Report

First 'long course' of 2010. I felt pretty good going in but legs did feel a bit tired on the warm-up run.

Swim: 1mile went really well. I got position right away and didn't have to struggle with other swimmers in my way. I really enjoyed the longer distance swim and felt like I got into my rhythm quickly. My breathing and everything was very smooth.

Bike: 34 miles, as soon as I got on the bike within the first 5 miles my legs were ache and felt tired. But I kept on, I'd say from about mile 24 on I was hurting and my MPH dropped significantly. I kept on, but kept thinking wow I really wasn't ready for this yet. My longest ride this season has been 40miles. Finished the bike though, then came probably the hardest run I've ever done in a race.

Run: HOT HOT HOT time one hundred. Right away starting the run I knew this was going to be tough. First off I haven't really run this distance very much and second coming off the bike of 34miles into a 8.9 mile run brick was something I hadn't done yet this season either. In either case the run was one of the toughest I'd done in a race EVER or at least from what I remember. Not really due to the course but the heat. I pucked a little bit on the second lap, and barely finished. Ended up in the medical tent along with Suzie Finger. I'd never felt like I needed to walk in a race on the run before until this race. I finished though and didn't walk at all!

Final summary: 3rd Female overall, 31mil swim, 22.3 mph on bike 1:32, 7:34 pace on run 1:07.50 8.9 mile run. I was happy I was done but felt like I was not ready for the distance but yet I still finished. I'm happy!

Next up: Lakefront Days Prior Lake sprint (yay!)
Fourth weekend in a row of racing!