Okay, not sure how much I really liked that race. The 2pm start time makes for a long day. In addition to hanging out in the hot sun in the transition zone they shuffled us down to the race start at 1:45. The pros started at 2pm and since I was wave 10 we didn't start until 2:30. I was sweaty, my feet were hurting from standing on the hot asphault, and a very much felt over the race before we even started. Not a good way to be going into the next 5-5.5hours. The swim was okay. I really thought I was going to drown at one point when I was getting crawled over by somebody, but that got better. I also ate this peanut butter and jelly bar before the race and I felt like it was about to come up each stroke. Not sure if it was the wetsuit or what. At the end of the swim, I didn't have a good time (ughh) but I felt better than any other swim. Next time I have to go a little faster.
Then up the huge ramp on hot asphault with my feet burning to my bike. As we were waiting around for hours the wind had picked up (a lot). It was pretty awful. It was pretty much a headwind or strong crosswind for about 75% of the time. It was also difficult to ride with so many people. I would worry about drafting when people passed so I would slow down and then have to pass them again. Just hard to settle into a groove. In town I thought the wind would get better, but no, the course was this elevated road with no protection. I definitely faded in the last 10 miles of the ride. I have never been so happy to be off my trusty stead. Georgie and I did not really get along on that bike ride. We might have to work on some fit and give him a new look with a new saddle. (Can I please just get the Cannondale Slice, Private Quarters parties, anybody, everybody?)
The transition was this huge chute and lots more running on my burned feet on asphault. There was a volunteer at my bike though helping me get out my stuff and he packed up all my bike stuff for me. It was pretty awesome. Thank you dude!!! The run was pretty good. Flat, out of the wind, and in the shade. Lots of support with great volunteers. It was 2 laps crossing paths with everybody else. The first couple of miles are always hard. You still have this huge feat in front of you and your legs are working themselves out. I started dedicating miles to people. Erik of course was first. Then the next person who popped into mind was Cory Hardy. A mile is a long time to dedicate to somebody, so after Cory I got distracted. I just kept my feet going and tried to have a quick turnover. I felt faster than I really was, but other than a little stomach upset (which always happens) and my asthma kicking in I felt great on the run. Maybe those track workouts really are working. The finish was pretty exhilirating. I have never done such a big triathlon and there were hundreds of people, a finish chute, and again more wonderful volunteers at the end.
After finding Erik, riding back to the hotel, a soak, and a shower, we headed out on the town for some food and beers with Andrew and Aubrey. It was late and we ended up in a bar full of very very drunk college kids shaking their booty. Pretty funny!!!
It is going to take a couple more days to be comfortable with my time. Not my fastest and not my slowest, but definitely not where I was hoping to be. Things to change. Bike fit, and get a water bottle I can drink from while staying aero. Start in the middle or back of my wave in the swim and work up instead of having people crawl all over me in the beginning. Drink and eat while still running. Don't waste time at aid stations. Get in a groove, wear a heart rate monitor, and stay strong for the whole bike.
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