I finally fell asleep at midnight the day of the race. When alarm went off at 4:45 am Nick had to nudge me or I would have slept through it. This was my first race season (since I started doing tris in 2005) for self coaching. In addition, this was my first year of making my own electrolyte/maltodextrin and protein/maltodextrin mixes. Yes, my attempt to make own sports nutrition sometimes resulted in our kitchen resembling a meth lab explosion. I had been feeling crappy and fighting allergy symptoms for a few days leading up to the race so I was not feeling super confident.
I did not eat until about 5:40ish. I had my normal breakfast of oatmeal, eggs, and coffee. Yes, I am one of those weird freaks who needs protein even when doing race events. At 6:05 am I ate my Kashi go lean bar and drank a Powerade Zero. My target was to eat 3 hrs before the race but I ended up eating about a 1/2 hr later then I wanted to. Once I got to blue lake I set up my transition area and went out for a 10 min easy jog for a warmup. I came back to transition to take my bike out for a quick spin to make sure everything was working as expected and some super douche took my bike spot! I got a little agro; "April style" but decided immediately the minor indiscretion was not worth the energy; I needed to focus on racing. I was glad I did the warm up for the Olympic distance; this got my muscles nice and warmed up.
Swim 1 Mile
Popped into Blue Lake in my full body wetsuit and it felt like a bathtub! I held a good steady pace and I believe I have FINALLY learned how to swim in a straight line in open water. I hate white buoyes but I managed to find all 6 (or 7) of them. For the first time I started passing green caps from the 30-39 men's wave who started 2 minutes before us 30-39 females. One green cap I passed I inadvertently grabbed his "junk". Thank god for wetsuits! The worse part of the swim was the big glob of food sloshing around in my stomach, I kept thinking "digest damn you". Again, eat 3 hrs before the race and no later! 2009 is the year of the swim for me, it is refreshing to know I do not completely suck in the water. Two years of masters swimming has definitely payed off!
Swim Time 29:53
Swim Women Overall 69/148 45%
Swim Women Age Group 12/25 48%
Bike 24 Miles
During the first half or so of the ride my heart rate was in the high 150’s to mid 160’s range. Did my shot of malto and sipped 1 bottle of my homemade malto/protein mix throughout the ride. Was not feeling that depleted after swim; I think my body was still digesting my breakfast. I tried to get my HR up to 170’s for the last 8 miles but could not, I think my body was telling me to save a little energy for the run. Kept my HR in high 150's to low 160's. My Bike split would have been a minute faster had I not fallen over right as I was coming into the bike dismount area. My right foot got caught in my pedal and over I went. I think some expletives came flying out of my mouth as everyone was asking me if I was okay. Screw me, I thought to myself, how is my bike! My bike escaped wtih just a little scratch on the seat and right peddle, no biggie! It was pretty cool how everyone started clapping when I got up.
Bike Time 1:08
Bike Pace 21:51 MPH
Bike Women Overall 18/148 12%
Bike Women Age Group 4/25 6%
Run 6.2 Miles
During the run my HR monitor was not working right so I relied solely on Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE). When the HR monitor would intermittently register my HR was mostly in the mid 160's. It was cool when some of the athletes kids were on the course giving us high fives! I pushed the run and settled in to a nice cruising pace. I did the equivalent of two shots of maltodextrin on run (one in the beginning and one toward the middle). I washed this down with water from the aid stations. At the end of my run I was covered in maltodextrin and my feet were covered in blisters. Another dumb maneuver on my part, running for the first time this season with no socks during a race.
Run Time 48:21
Run Pace 7:47 per mile
Run Women Overall 31/148 21%
Run Women Age Group 7/25 28%
The temperature during the race was about 60 degrees and 70% humidity with overcast. This is about as good as it gets temp wise for a triathlon. My friends from the massage clinic were at the race and had put my on the list without my even having to ask; AWESOME, Jacob rocks! My legs by the next day had felt like they had been beat by a baseball bat, hence my new term "bat legs".
This was the fourth time in 3 years I have done this course and this distance; I had a PR (Personal Record) for this course (beating my 2nd best time by 5 minutes). Woo hoo!
Race Time: 2:30
Women Overall 26/148 18%
Women Age Group 8/25 32%
Race pics http://www.finishshots.com/racerresults3.php?raceid=612&bibnumber=211
Monday, June 15, 2009
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