This past weekend was awesome. It included everything that is summer. I was able to get off work early on Wednesday so Pat and I left for my parents home that night. Thursday was a nice lazy summer day. It was a rest day for me too, so it was the ultimate lazy day. On Friday we drove the race course (only got lost about 5 times) and sat by the fire at night (Pat ate 5 s'mores). I think between Wed night and Thu night, I slept as much as I usually do in 3 nights instead of 2. It was glorious. Friday we did our workouts, picked up our packets, and ate sketti. On Saturday we woke up at 3:45. Almost as bad as Hy-Vee. Good thing I had maple and brown sugar oatmeal just waiting to be made, or I would have gone back to bed.
We arrived at transition and I was setting up when I noticed the gal who has won the race the past 4 or 5 years, along with many other big races over the years. I knew I was capable of putting up a fight with her this year, but it would take a stellar performance on my part if I stood a chance of beating her. Anyway I finished setting up and warming up and all that. My wave was the 5th to start, behind 2 pro waves, the corporate charity challenge, and men's elite. My wave (elite women, and elite masters men and women) was the most violent wave I have been in yet. I felt like a powerball ball in the little tumbler thing. A handful of us from that wave caught up to some from the previous wave(s) before the first turn. The first turn was a cluster bunch. Then I lost track of who was from what wave. I ended up the second elite female out of the water by 10 seconds. T1 was just okay.
I started the bike as the second female as well. Started out biking hard and trying to keep the first girl within view. I ended up losing her around 5 miles in-but it is also hard to see too far ahead on this course. I was just biking along like usual, trying to keep going fast so I didn't get past by other girls (the usual for me on the bike). But a little before half way it happened. That girl, who has a long history of winning, passed me. That really got me going. I biked like crazy and kept up for a little while, but she is a stellar biker. After I lost sight of her I know I still had to keep pushing if I wanted even a sliver of hope to catch her on the run. I could not be distracted by pretty houses, slowed by big potholes, or take any extra time to enjoy my nice warm powerbar endurance drink. Not long after she passed me a guy passed me. I was able to keep up with him and we jockied back and forth all the way to T2. This was good for me; to really have someone to race and keep me from heading to la-la land for the last half of the bike.
Again, just an okay T2. Started the run in 3rd. No other girls had passed me on the bike. I'm getting tired so here's the short version-passed the girl who had beat me out of the water right at the halfway point of the run. Never caught the girl who has won many times before and passed me on the bike, but got darn close. Only about 30 seconds off-I was gaining on the run, but just didn't have enough time to actually overtake her. Ended up 2nd overall. Biked the hardest I ever habe, now just need to keep building off that. Next race-Steelhead 70.3 on Julyl 31st. Very excited for this longer race! Pat won the race for the men. He is pretty much my hero, maybe he will tell me his secrets. I am a little disappointed he waited to tell me he won. Here I was talking about my race and what place I think I finished in and he's just standing there listening. Then I ask how he did, "oh, I think I won." What?!?!? You just stood there without telling me! Anyway, he rocks.
The rest of the weekend was great too. Saturday night ate at Chino Latino in Uptown with Pat and both our parents and Pat's cousin. One word to describe this restaurant: MMMMMMMMMMM. On Sunday we went boating and jet skiing all day. Lots of family, sun, fun, and food. Then another fire and some s'mores. On Monday we ate at Big Bowl and played mini golf. Then we ate at Culver's. Now it's time to get back to the real world a little fatter, tanner, and happier.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Hy-Vee Triathlon Race Report
What a crazy weekend! Saturday morning was filled with rain and storms, causing all the kids races to be cancelled. The afternoon and evening actually ended up being nice, so we were dry checking our bikes into transition. We also ate at the Olive Garden and then headed home to try to get to bed early. Sunday-wake up at 3am. Leave home at 3:30. Ride shuttle to race site. We got there around 4:30. I started to set up my stuff and warm-up. I was out for a little jog and had just come back into transition around 5:15 when the RD announced they were changing the race to a sprint because storms were on their way in and they wanted to get everyone in and out of the water as quick as possible.
Major bummer. I took about 5 minutes to be upset and think all the negative thoughts. Then it was time to be a sprinter and get psyched to race. The race had also been switched to a time trial start for everyone. I think I was about the 3rd elite female to start. First female out of the water and out of T1. Was passed right out of T1 by a girl, but passed her back once I had my feet in my shoes. Bike went pretty well, but I was passed by a girl about 8-9 miles in. Came out of T2 behind her. My transitions here were much better than last weekend and my bike computer worked! Having cadence really helps! I think I was about 45 second behind the other female coming out of T2. Maybe 20-30seconds until the next girl after me. I started out quick trying to catch the other girl. I was gaining on her the whole run and make up about 30 seconds on her, but unable to get past her at the end. She ended up crossing the finish line 14 seconds ahead of me. I had also made a bit of ground on the ladies behind me.
I thought I had gotten second overall, but would have to wait until the results came out since it was a time trial start it was impossible to know for sure. I was able to finish before the lightening and rain hit. It did come, and came hard. If I would have been doing an olympic race, I probably would have been stuck running in the rain for 10-15 minutes. There were still plenty of people out racing in the rain-some had still started an hour behind me. The RD made the right decision going with a sprint. We rode our bikes back to the mall where are car was in the rain. It was actually kind of neat to have a big line of bikers biking to the mall in the rain. People who didn't know about the triathlon had to be so confused.
We got home and kept checking the internet for results. They finally came up...2nd place....by only 8 seconds! The girl in front of me was the first female to go off. So I wouldn't have even needed to pass her to beat her, just catch up by 8 seconds more. Ack! So frusterated! Oh well, guess that is racing a TT start. An age grouper snuck in 24 seconds behind me to get third, but the next elite girl was 41 seconds behind me, at least no one was able to get in in front of me.
Still happy with my race. All 3 legs and transitions were good and there is nothing I would have changed. This race was also a pro qualifier for the top three. This race left me happy because my run off the bike finally came together so I'm excited for a ReAl olympic race and finally a 70.3! By this not being an olympic, it makes me look forward to Lifetime and Steelhead that much more. I'm all sprinted out for the rest of 2010, bring on the long stuff!
Major bummer. I took about 5 minutes to be upset and think all the negative thoughts. Then it was time to be a sprinter and get psyched to race. The race had also been switched to a time trial start for everyone. I think I was about the 3rd elite female to start. First female out of the water and out of T1. Was passed right out of T1 by a girl, but passed her back once I had my feet in my shoes. Bike went pretty well, but I was passed by a girl about 8-9 miles in. Came out of T2 behind her. My transitions here were much better than last weekend and my bike computer worked! Having cadence really helps! I think I was about 45 second behind the other female coming out of T2. Maybe 20-30seconds until the next girl after me. I started out quick trying to catch the other girl. I was gaining on her the whole run and make up about 30 seconds on her, but unable to get past her at the end. She ended up crossing the finish line 14 seconds ahead of me. I had also made a bit of ground on the ladies behind me.
I thought I had gotten second overall, but would have to wait until the results came out since it was a time trial start it was impossible to know for sure. I was able to finish before the lightening and rain hit. It did come, and came hard. If I would have been doing an olympic race, I probably would have been stuck running in the rain for 10-15 minutes. There were still plenty of people out racing in the rain-some had still started an hour behind me. The RD made the right decision going with a sprint. We rode our bikes back to the mall where are car was in the rain. It was actually kind of neat to have a big line of bikers biking to the mall in the rain. People who didn't know about the triathlon had to be so confused.
We got home and kept checking the internet for results. They finally came up...2nd place....by only 8 seconds! The girl in front of me was the first female to go off. So I wouldn't have even needed to pass her to beat her, just catch up by 8 seconds more. Ack! So frusterated! Oh well, guess that is racing a TT start. An age grouper snuck in 24 seconds behind me to get third, but the next elite girl was 41 seconds behind me, at least no one was able to get in in front of me.
Still happy with my race. All 3 legs and transitions were good and there is nothing I would have changed. This race was also a pro qualifier for the top three. This race left me happy because my run off the bike finally came together so I'm excited for a ReAl olympic race and finally a 70.3! By this not being an olympic, it makes me look forward to Lifetime and Steelhead that much more. I'm all sprinted out for the rest of 2010, bring on the long stuff!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Pigman Sprint Race Report
On Sunday I raced the Pigman Spring in Palo, IA. Great race, good time, and definitely a sprint! Here is a quick race report. My warm-up was mostly putting on my Hurricane wetsuit from Kyle's Bikes and swimming for about 20 minutes. And yes, I seriously count putting on the wetsuit as part of the warm-up! The elite female wave was first as this was an equalizer event (women start first, men 8:44 back and it's a race to see who can cross finish line first).
The swim started and I was out in front but some chick was right on my feet grabbing at my ankles. She almost pulled my timing chip off so I had to stop and shove it under my wetsuit quick. But right back to swimming. I was surprised that in such a short swim no one was closer to me-I was first out of the water in 6:14, a minute up on the next few girls. Into T1. The wetsuit didn't come off as easily as two weeks ago, but still not bad.
Out of T1 and onto the bike. What is this car driving on the course in front of me? Oh yeah, it's the lead car! I had never been the first one before! It was kind-of neat to follow the lead car for a while, makes you feel kinda special. And in the good way, not the short-bus way. I lead the bike until about half way. Three girls passed me within one mile, then no more girls passed me on the bike. The bike went well except none of my computer was working so I had no idea my speed or cadence and I tried to fix my front brake about half way through because I was afraid it was rubbing on my wheel. Next time I need to double check these things before the race starts!
Came into and out of T2 in fourth. I managed to pass one girl half way through the run, but right after another girl passed me. So I was 4th overall. I was the first Iowan to finish so I called to race in the Best of the US race in Orange County in October. That was pretty cool. I know what I need to work on this week (transitions!) and how to better prepare for future races (double check equipment and check out the areas leading into and out of transition). Glad I did this race but really looking forward to more Olympics and especially the 70.3s!
The swim started and I was out in front but some chick was right on my feet grabbing at my ankles. She almost pulled my timing chip off so I had to stop and shove it under my wetsuit quick. But right back to swimming. I was surprised that in such a short swim no one was closer to me-I was first out of the water in 6:14, a minute up on the next few girls. Into T1. The wetsuit didn't come off as easily as two weeks ago, but still not bad.
Out of T1 and onto the bike. What is this car driving on the course in front of me? Oh yeah, it's the lead car! I had never been the first one before! It was kind-of neat to follow the lead car for a while, makes you feel kinda special. And in the good way, not the short-bus way. I lead the bike until about half way. Three girls passed me within one mile, then no more girls passed me on the bike. The bike went well except none of my computer was working so I had no idea my speed or cadence and I tried to fix my front brake about half way through because I was afraid it was rubbing on my wheel. Next time I need to double check these things before the race starts!
Came into and out of T2 in fourth. I managed to pass one girl half way through the run, but right after another girl passed me. So I was 4th overall. I was the first Iowan to finish so I called to race in the Best of the US race in Orange County in October. That was pretty cool. I know what I need to work on this week (transitions!) and how to better prepare for future races (double check equipment and check out the areas leading into and out of transition). Glad I did this race but really looking forward to more Olympics and especially the 70.3s!
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