That was the earliest Triathlon I’ve ever done. It was a
chilly morning as to be expected for the coast of Maine and with the winterish
spring we’ve had. I was worried about staying warm during the bike. The swim
was held in the Bowdin College pool. IT WAS HUGE, well normal for most but the
pool we train in is 2 lanes, 4 feet deep, 13 yards long. This pool was 16
lanes, 15 feet deep and 25 yards long. My warmup had to be carefully calculated
because of the designated swim practice time and when the transition was
closing. I typically warm up by biking, running then swimming all in about an
hour before I start. The pool was open from 7:30-8 transition closed at 8:10
and my wave wasn’t starting until 9:15. So I made sure I had an extra pair of
sneakers because I had no access to my race shoes after 8:10.
After swim warm
up and the shock of swimming in 15 feet of water I stepped outside to see how
the air temp would feel when soaking wet, burrrr. I quickly ran a long sleeve
in transition just in case. The waves were assigned but not the lanes. So I
figured there would be a free for all for the lane closest to the door to
transition. There wasn’t so I grabbed it and shared it will a guy named Jeff.
Every athlete had to submit a time they could swim the 525 yards in. Maury
suggested 8:30 for me. Wave 5 was up and we jumped into the water it was
chilly. I swam up and back and we started 30 secs later. I really don’t know
what happened in the pool it kinda fell apart and I was slow but didn’t feel
that slow. When I’m training in the winter, I don’t focus on perfecting my flip
turns because I am an open water swimmer but flip turns are crucial for speed
in the pool.
When I finished my 21 lengths I got out and looked at my watch, it
said 10 mins I was shocked. As soon as I entered the transition area I shut
that out and refocused on the bike. I put my shoes and helmet on and ran to the
mount line. I passed a few racers, so many athletes, the less competitive ones,
are not quick here but that’s ok. I love the bike leg, it’s the fastest, I’m
the strongest here and I make up so much lost time. That needs to change. I
passed between 20-25 athletes and was only passed by one guy rgggg. I also
passed a few guys with super expensive bikes and aero helmets- love that
feeling! It’s all about the training! The course was very nice and the town had
swept the shoulders it was so smooth for spring racing. There were no real
hills and I maintained an average speed of 22.7 mph.
As I approached the TA I
shift up to an easier gear and spin a bit faster to get my legs ready to run, I
dismounted and ran right to my spot. I forgot to put my sunglasses on before my
helmet in T1 so I had to take them off then put them back on, not good. As I
ran towards the timing mat I wrapped my number belt around my waist that saves
some time, I strongly suggest that technique. I came up on a guy with in 2 mins
and he said I knew you’d get me in the run. It was the guy that passed me on
the bike!! I was so excited inside. 80% of the run was on grass/in the woods on
trail, which was nice and engaging. There were mile markers but I read the
athlete guide and it stated that both mile 1 and 2 were at the aid stations.
When I reached the first one I hit the split button and looked, it said 5:11 I
didn’t think I was running that fast but cool!! I kept running and turned the
corner and there was a big Mile 1 sign. I looked at the time and it was 6:41 I
should have hit split again so I could see my second mile split but I got
confused and thought it would change my overall time somehow. The mind doesn’t
always work well in race mode. The course was split into 2 laps with the second
lap being shorter so that threw me off a little. Each time I passed a runner I
made sure to say good job, it makes me feel good and I know how awesome it
makes me feel when it’s said to me. I’m going to work on being a little nicer
during races. Not that I am ever the opposite but I don’t ever say anything to
anyone because I am so focused. Interacting makes me smile, which in turn will
hopefully make me faster, and more relaxed. After the 2nd lap split
I had just a little more to go. The course popped out of the woods into the
finish chute and was lined with spectators. I’ve raced tri for 6 summers now
and that feeling never gets old and I don’t think it ever will. If it does then
I need to move on. Some how you always find a little more in you to go just a
little faster. As I neared the line the announcer Andy Schlact announced my
name along with “one of the premier triathletes in the granite state who
represented the US very well in the World Tri Championships in London” I gave
it all I had left and crossed the finish line with a huge smile.
After my heart
rate went down I made sure to go for a jog so my legs didn’t cramp up. When I
returned Gina looked at the results. I was 3rd female!! As I said in
previous blogs I never believe the results until I hear for sure when they
announce the podium. I drank my recovery drink and put my legs up keeping the
lactic acid from pooling. I went for another longer run and as I passed the TA
someone yelled to get my attention. It was the guy I passed on the run. He
asked what my bike time was and we chatted about the race. He is racing the
White Mountains Tri in Franconia so we agreed we see each other there. He
finished the conversation with “Well gotta go have my jack and coke” Really you
just raced why do you need alcohol. That totally turned me off.
I studied the results a bit more and the top two females
swam 2 mins quicker than me and I finished about 3 mins behind them, it’s so
frustrating but it just makes me more determined to work harder.
The award ceremony started with the top 3 females. “In 3rd
place Angela Cox, in a time of 1:02:00” then he announced 2nd and 1st
place. Unmm wait what about me? I scanned the results again and saw Angela at
the bottom with about 10 other athletes who didn’t have complete results. So
they must have manually added her chip time. 4th is still pretty
good though and I was first in my age group!
I found the race director and thanked her for a great race
something else I’m going to start doing. She thanked me for coming down from N.
Conway and asked if I was racing the Pirate Tri again. It’s conflicting with
another race so I won’t be racing it. It was a beautiful sunny day but I was
having a hard time enjoying it. I had mixed feelings about my race, I was so
mad at my slow swim time but happy about the rest of the race. I work so hard
all winter training three mornings a week and then I swim a 10 min 525
yards. I have gotten faster but
I’m still missing something. My lower half doesn’t float that well so I have
some drag especially in the pool. Eventually something will click for me in the
swim!
Results
Overall: 30/ 253
Female: 4/119
Age Group: 1/23
View results online here
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