Austin Belterra (Super) Sprint Triathlon Race Report

Austin’s hills chewed me up and spit me out. It used and abused me. It beat me like a red headed step child. Do you get the picture yet?

race course pics

I picked up the race packet Friday and was stunned to find a bib and a latex cap, not even a map. Really, that is all I get for my 70 bucks?! Can you throw a girl a sample of anything? How about a tee shirt? Are they not aware that race tees is how I show everyone that this chick tri-s her darndest to swim, bike and run.

I got there a little after transition opened. There was a kid’s tri first, but they really did not state if and when the transition area would close so I was there super early. I hung around for a couple of hours and watched the kids. I thought about getting Lil Buster registered a while back but I knew the 50 meter swim would be a little much for my chunkster. I saw a 5 year old tri rockstar. This kid would put his cycling shoes while on the ride. He looked at me and said, “Where is the mount line?” At 5, I was looking for my Barbie’s shoes.

Shane busted me checking out some tri guys legs

Swim 300 meters 9:18.3 (3:06/100m)
I was nervous about the pool swim, being that I had no idea how pool swims work out at a tri. At 9AM they started getting the sprint group to the pool. It was already getting into the 90’s, but it is cool. Remember I believe I am officially acclimated (Using the words of the month in combo format. How ya like them apples?) Our bib numbers were in ascending order of swim times. Needless to say I was one of the last ones in the pool at 9:26AM. The swim went down pretty much as I expected, consistently slow. I got passed once and passed one person.

Transitions were timed into events

Bike: 9 miles 44:31.8 (12.13/mph)
My time looks like I was enjoying a Sunday leisurely ride on a cruiser by a beach boardwalk. I wasn’t too thrilled with running my bike up a steep driveway to the mount line. The hills were everywhere along the course, small rolling hills, long rolling hills. steep inclines, short inclines (I can do the Bubba Gump shrimp types here all day). I struggled the whole ride. Each time I would look at my pace and got disgusted. I think I saw a 4mph on one hill. Many people around me (meaning they were about my level) were walking their bike up the hills. I just couldn’t do it. I would be chapped at myself for enjoying the downhill without really earning it. It was a short race. I did not have to save my legs for a ½ marathon or more distance it was a nice sweet 3 miler. I was going to meet the hills head on no pussy footing around them. I met them and then they would have their way with me.

Run: 3 miles 35:11.9 (11:43)
I just knew I was just disappointed with myself after that bike. I even started walking the run?! Oh yea, Viv that is the way to make up some time. The paparazzi (Shane) caught me on the run out. It is hard to understand, but I said “Don’t tape me honey. I expletive suck today.” Shane said, "Come on babe." Me, "No." I love the paparazzi! It is like Britney not going to Starbucks anymore, it just isn’t natural.

I started running after a 1/10 of a mile. I really had it out for this poor lady (we will call her Danskin. While waiting for the swim she kept telling me, at Danskin they did this and at Danskin they did that). If I did not catch Danskin it would have killed me. I caught Danskin a little before the water stop and then Danskin picked up the pace. I guess she had it out for me too. LOL! At the water stop I turned off wrong and took the kid’s route. Duh! They yelled,” Ma’am, wrong way!” I came back, and Danskin had taken the lead (at this point in my head it was just me and Danskin, baby!) I picked Danskin out shortly after.

Total Time: 1:29.02

Overall, the swim is what I expected from myself. I am terribly disappointed with the bike leg. The run, not too shabby. Those Tuesday nights at the track are doing sumfin to me Coach Bill, trust me.

Going to chillax the rest of the weekend and prepare myself for the next 18 weeks of serious training. I am looking forward to working hard while guided by an amazing Coach K!

They handed out the tee shirts when you crossed the finish line. Do you think it will let others know I do tri's? LOL!