Blue Lake Olympic Triathlon - June 10, 2007

I was so relieved to find out there was not going to be a drenching downpour of rain during my first Olympic Distance Triathlon of the season. An Olympic Distance Triathlon is a 1 mile swim, 24 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run all done consecutively. It was about 60 degrees and overcast, PERFECT race weather! I was nervous enough as it was and was NOT in the mood for inclement Oregon weather crap!

During the drive to Blue Lake I was nervous as all get out! Like an idiot (and I know better by now considering this is my 3rd season) I did not get in the open water or use my wetsuit at least one time before the event. I pulled into Blue Lake Park and holy lots o cars! The Blue Lake Olympic Distance Triathlon this year was a qualifier for the USAT Triathlon Age Group National Championship and a TRI NorthWest Club/Team Championship event. This is where Triathlon Clubs from across the NW compete for the boasting rights as the top club of athletes in the region from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Lots of hard core people.

To prep for the swim I got into Blue Lake about 5 minutes before the swim start. I have often referred to it as “Blue Toilet” because quite frankly, it has been quite nasty in the past. This year it wasn’t too bad. My nerves finally calmed after I had been in the water a few minutes! During the swim I was actually in the middle of the pack for the first time during an Olympic distance swim (I know because I got kicked in the head like 4 times!) Water resistance is beautiful! In all years past I had been a back floater. I had to “keep it real” at one point in the swim (means that little redneck side of me came peeking out). This woman kept thrashing into me (she should have either passed or got behind me, I was on a straight path to the buoy and was not going to veer). Finally after the 3rd minute of being kicked and clawed I smacked her one. I think she said something but I didn’t care, at least she backed off; when it comes to the open water it is survival of the fittest baby! My left calf started cramping up on the swim and I was a little nervous, but was able to kick it off! I swallowed about a gallon of blue lake water during the swim; I am still on high alert for anything physically suspicious (weird bowel movements, skin rashes, glowing in the dark, etc.)

On the bike I had some nice cross, head, and tail winds! I was proud; I remained on my aerobars almost the entire time! I passed a ton of people on the bike, which was a huge boost to my ego. My biking was crap until about a month ago; 50 mile rides at a high aerobic pace and hill (also known as “I feel like I am going to barf”) intervals really paid off over the last month! On the bike I stayed mostly around Heart Rate 160 (upper z2, high aerobic/endurance) for the first 16 miles. At mile 16 I pushed to HR 163-167 for the remaining 8 miles (z3, my lactate threshold level). Sipped almost an entire 12oz bottle of accelerade during the ride.







At the beginning of the run did a cliff espresso gel shot. Gave me that final zzzzzzzap I needed for the run! The first 1.5 miles were brutal; legs felt like bricks (yes, this is normal, sad but true!) I finally got into a rhythm by mile 2. On the run I ran mostly HR 168-170 (z3 lactate threshold). My left quad was acting up a little bit and my knee felt a little lose at times. No major issues though. Something has to start hurting at 2 hrs and 15 minutes of racing, right? During the last 2 miles of run pushed to 173-174 range (lower z4, anaerobic zone) Legs were too fatigued to allow me to go “all out” for the last two miles so got passed by a good amount of people. Next time I will dig deep and push it, no matter what! This is where power words come in!

After the race it was then announced for women, the most competitive age group is 30-34. Lucky me, I am 30 ;-)
Summary of my Results:

Overall Time: 2:42:01
Overall Women: 75/172 44%
Age Group Place: 18/36 50% (I’ll take it at an event like this!)
Age Group Swim: 27/36 75% (In the past I have been in the bottom 3)
Age Group Bike: 12/36 33% (Best relative bike leg so far!)
Age Group Run: 20/36 56% (lots of strong runners this event!)


Bike Pace 19.98 Miles Per Hour
Run Pace: 8:08 Minute Per Mile


Had 30 minute massage after race (felt wonderful!) I was beat the rest of the day and barely moved from the couch. Felt like gave it everything I could during the event, and would not have expected to feel any better! I told my hubby if I ever have a ton of energy after an event to beat me, because I obviously did not try hard enough!

Had the support of my two friends from work; I thank them for the photo supply for the blog!










Additional Ph0tos http://www.finishshots.com/racerresults3.php?raceid=468&bibnumber=341

I do it all over again Sunday, June 24th when I do the Pacific Crest Olympic Distance in Sunriver; cannot wait!