Seven Down, How Many More To Go???!!

Completed my seventh triathlon yesterday in the EP Tom Sawyer Sprint Tri - 800m/14m/5k. We got real lucky with the weather, as it has been very hot and humid lately, with a record temperature of 102 degrees just four days earlier. The morning of the race, however, showed low humidity and a somewhat cool start to the swim.

There were approximately 250-300 athletes participating, and we all lined up near the pool with a staggered start of 20 seconds between athletes. The pool was large - 50 meters long - and very shallow at one end with only 3 feet of depth. This made it difficult to change over to the next lane, as we had to stand up and actually step across the lane dividers rather than swim under them - flip turns were impossible (although I don't know how to do those anyway, so my swim at least was not hampered).

Having a personal best in the 400m of 9 minutes, I signed up for the race stating that I could finish in 19-20 minutes for this 800m. However, halfway through, after already being passed by numerous athletes, I looked down to see that I was already 12 minutes into this leg of the race. Guess I should have trained more after all - also, I kept hitting my arm on the lane dividers, and knew there would be a nice little bruise waiting for me later in the day. I got out of the water and looked at my watch: 24:13. One of my slowest times yet.

I always have a little problem with dizziness coming out of the water, so I more or less walked most of the way over to T1. Not being a proathlete or trying to break any kind of record, I have learned to take it easy and not cause more anxiety to myself in the transition areas. I sat down and calmly put on my cycling shoes, snapped on my belt and helmet, donned my shades, and walked my bike out of T1 and hopped on, clipped in with little problem.

The bike course had some rolling hills, but nothing too terribly bad. After the turn around at mile 7 I headed back in and got a little pissed to see that some cops that were supposed to be directing traffic at an intersection weren't doing too great of a job, as some athletes had to actually stop their bike to let some cars go by. Another safety concern that could have turned out catastrophic, was taking a right hand turn onto a road only to be faced with an SUV coming at me in that same lane. Apparently the guy decided to pass a cyclist in his lane (the correct, right lane), yet gave no regard to those of us (namely me) finishing up and heading back. Asshole.

I always get a little nervous coming off the bike - afraid that I won't unclip in time, or that I will unclip but somehow my shoe will still get caught on the pedal just enough to send me tumbling over onto the ground. My dismount during this race, however, was damn near perfect as my jello legs carried my tired body into T2 to prepare for the run.

Again, I took my time in transition as I downed some Gu between putting on my shoes and tying my laces. I never looked at my watch before or after the bike segment, but my bike computer shows that I was on my bike for approximately 58 minutes - not bad considering, again, that I haven't been on the bike in about 2 months.

I hobbled out of T2 and onto the running course. My legs felt like lead, and body heavy as I struggled during the first half mile or so. I planned on my normal 6:1 intervals, but ended up walking 4 minutes into this portion of the race. A guy coming up behind me got me going again however, with words of encouragement - "C'mon! It's a race. You can do it!" I got going again, and from then on was able to accomplish the 6:1 - even went a little further than that after the water stop - as this area was completely flat and shaded.

Felt pretty decent as I rounded the corner to the last .1 mile, and was even able to pull out a sprint as I crossed the finish line. My unofficial time for this race: 2:01:53. A time that won't be winning me any awards, but for my standards and ability, nothing to shake a stick at either.

I feel pretty good about this race. I definitely wanna get with a tri-friend of mine who is an excellent swimmer to learn some skills that will enable me to be a little faster in the water. I also need to get out on the bike more, and plan on doing some Monday night-Ladies only rides starting tomorrow to build up my strength and endurance again. And as usual, I know just what my abilities are, and what they are not when it comes to the run, so I'll take what I can get as far as that goes. Feel good physically today, not too sore other than the inevitable butt-bone tenderness and not to mention my bruised arm from the continuous run-ins with the lane dividers. Yep - I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm definitely addicted to this sport, and plan on staying in as long as my body and mind will allow me. Next up: Oldham Co. Mini Triathlon in approximately 3 weeks!