Summertime Blues Triathlon Race Report

It was an early wake up call at 4AM. For some reason I thought Freeport was closer to my parents home in Clear Lake. When I pulled it up on the GPS last night I was shocked to see a 59 mile drive. We left early since Shane drives all Miss Daisy with me to forgo any yapping of, slow down, is your blinker on, watch that car, speed up, turn your wipers on, is that a dog in the road; I just can't help it every day I am becoming more my Mother's clone.

Swim: 500 yards 13:14.5 (2:53/100M 2:38/100Y)

I was in the last wave which was only 9 minutes after start time so primo. The wave included athenas, clydesdales, and men under 29. There is nothing like a wave with people that may be hungry or high level testosterone driven guys, maybe both. I positioned myself towards the back left side to be on the outside of the buoys knowing my swim pace. The water was like my Epsom salts baths, hot and salty as hell. I was little panicky and lost my form a few times...OK OK more then a few. I know I need to work on calmness, and staying true to form for TX Man OLY in a couple weeks. That is me right in the center and I actually have my head down... Whoa!

T1: 1:33.5

I actually didn't feel like I had been in a washing machine for 15 minutes.Thanks for the tip, Strive team mate Doug. I woggled my way over to the last rack and put the cycle shoes on minus socks. I am trying the whole sockless thing (not topless, Marcy cause I know you will go there momacita). They usually end up soaking wet anyhow and it's my contribution to myself to feel all triathletic. I am hard to miss below in the Strive green tri top that I am busting out of all Incredible Hulkish.

Bike: 15 miles 54:49.9 (16.4mph)

The bike was a windy out and back course meaning I hit the intercoastal bridge going out and coming back.

It was challenging, but I remember what my tri sis told me, use those gears. I did and I didn't get that chewed up spit out feeling I got in Austin.

You guys know I sometimes might let one person work my nerves. I tried not to but this kid was killin' me smalls! He was just all over the place, staying on the left too long, passing people on the right at times in non called for situations. We will call him Dennis the Menace. So, Dennis and I keep playing cat and mouse on the bike. Every time I would try to pass him he would pedal his heart out and I would have to back down. Luckily, no refs were around. After the 4th time yes 4th time I went though this with Dennis this is what happened.

Me: Kid, your killing me!

Dennis: Yea, so what!

Me: So, what?! We are not in the same age group ya know.

Dennis: Eat my dust, lady!

Oh no he didn't.....I passed Dennis but a couple miles later he passed me. Argh, I will getcha Dennis and your little dog too (does Dennis even have a dog?) I did pass this guy that was in my Total Immersion swim clinic a while back. Tiggs, do you recall the guy who was getting on my nerves at the workshop cause he kept hogging the coach in my lane. Yep, unfortunately I can find people to work my nerves just about anywhere, you think it is me...nah!

T2: 1:03.3

I really need my tri sis to teach me that flying dismount thingy. She will probably say, learn how to change a tire first ;-)

Run: preliminary time 34:22.7 (11:27)

I took off sockless in my running shoes. The first mile is always brutal as the legs are getting into the run. I started slowing down in the first mile and this chica was passing me. She said, "Hey don't slow down on me now after you kicked my ass on the bike." Aww, that is one of the sweetest things I have heard on the run. It can either get worst after mile 1 or get better. It got better. I was feeling pretty good and I am pretty sure I had my cheesy run smile going.

Total Time: 1:45:03.9

Overall, my times are better compared to my last race and well any sprint distance I have completed. I have to admit it comes from smart coaching, thanks Coach K. My team mates who inspire and motivate me, especially tri sis who has just taken me under her wing. My friends, bloggity buds, Shane who sacrifices a lot of our time for my training and work. Lil' Buster who gives me cowbell then while I am gone makes his own fun. My sister who does these early wake up calls often to support and give me cowbell out there. Not to mention all the little people who I have stepped on and I am no lightweight... just kidding, but since I was going overboard!

So, my previous post, How Bad Do I want It ?