I'm sitting in the San Diego airport waiting to depart on my return flight to Minneapolis, having just experienced my first destination race. I now know why they call it the World Triathlon series; it's truly a world-class venue and event!
- Day 1
- All logistics unfolded as planned with the exception of a delayed flight out of Minneapolis that caused me to miss my appointment with Triathlete magazine, a bit of a bummer
- My hotel room was on the ground level literally 75-yards from the transition area and the race start line
- My bike was on site, assembled and ready for me within 2 hours of my arrival, check-in and packet pickup was fun and easy
- I eased my nerves a bit with an open water swim practice at the race swim site, first since July! Also took a spin my bike to make sure all was right with the assembly
- Had dinner with my brother-in-law Jeff who came in from the LA area. We had a great seared-tuna dinner at a nearby fish market!
- Day 2
- Woke up at 3:00 am pacific time, 5:00 am central (home) which is actually sleeping in for me! I forced myself to sleep until 5:00 local.
- I ate a good breakfast and then rode one loop of the bike course, super fun...I'm loving the 75 degree temps. Home report; they received 9+ inches of snow!
- Jeff and a friend of his met up with me to watch the Pro / Olympic Women's team race!
- Staged all my gear for my race the next day and racked my bike in the pre-assigned transition spot.
- My sister Lynn arrived from LA. We had a wonderful salmon dinner with their local, long- time family friends.
- Race Day
- Awoke at 4:15
- Prepared my bike and race spot with my gear
- Breakfast; 6-inch flatbread egg sandwich, fluids, energy jell
- Ran 1 mile warm up, swam 10 minutes
- Wave 4, 6:45 swim start! Swam wide and zig-zagged a couple times due to tide current and not having done open water swimming since July. 29+ minutes. Comparatively, not a strong swim but I felt orientated and balanced coming out of the water and ran through transition to my bike. Fun to see Lynn and Jeff coming out of T1.
- The bike course was technical with five 90 and 180-degree hairpin turns, some with no passing zones. Somewhat confusing.
- I was laughing and praising God for a beautiful day and wonderful experience! I was having fun and enjoying every minute of the two lap 25 mile bike course where I averaged 21 mph.
- My T2 bike / run transition was quick. Again, I saw Lynn and Jeff...Jeff did an excellent job shooting photos during the entire race.
- Taking advise from my coach who wanted me to "finish strong" I was cautious for the first 3 miles. Feeling good, I made a surge for the final 3.2 finishing with a 7:38 pace.
- This was the earliest in the year by almost 60 days that I've raced a triathlon. And while I did not come close to a personal best, it was a wonderful experience and a great confidence builder. Thank you Lord for an injury free winter of training and a solid, healthy, balanced performance!
- Following the race we had lunch with local friends and then I returned as a swim start volunteer for the Men's Pro race! I was beat that evening!
No comments:
Post a Comment