I saw a few girls that looked strong and one had a different
looking seat so I asked her about it. I am not comfortable on my seat most of
the time. She loved it and put her on her sit bones as apposed to leaning on
the nose. It also had groove to hang on the rack in transitions. With a regular
seat the nose has to hang and when taking it off you have to lift and go back
to get the bike under the rack. This way you just lift and go! I researched
them and they are only $224.00!!! Who wants to sponsor my butt??
During the pre race meeting the sun gave way to clouds and
the temp dropped. The bike course changed again due to construction and was 2
miles shorter making it 11 miles over 2 loops. That makes it super confusing
for racers and volunteers. Volunteers have no idea who is on what lap and even
some athletes don’t even know. There were quite a few waves for the pool swim.
The first wave started at 9am but I was in wave 6 and didn’t start until 9:45
so I had time to get my run warm up in and suppress the pre race jitters yes I
still get them. The swim was just 325 yds = 13 lengths, pretty easy to count,
well I lost count and pretty sure I swam an extra lap. The volunteers put an
orange board in the water on your second to last length so you just swim to the
other end and get out. I watched how they facilitated this and it looked pretty
simple and there was no communication just a few waves of the board in the
water. Well I saw the board and heard my counter yell “you’re done!” so embarrassing.
As I got out there was no one left in the pool. I already suck on the swim and
now I’m back an extra lap…great. I booked it out of the pool and got through T1
in 37 seconds passing 4 racers. The first 4 miles were on Rt 1 with lots of
traffic and moderate headwinds so frustrating. My legs were chilly so it was
hard to keep a good pace but I pushed through it. The first turn was nice; not
too sharp and no sand. It’s better to sweep wide and cut in towards then end
which always freeks out the volunteers, they think your going to miss the turn.
I kept speed throughout and got right back up to where I was in a few seconds.
That’s crucial time; entering and exiting a turn and being in the right gear.
The back of the course was soooo nice and smooth and I could really open up it
felt soooo good and I felt soooo strong I passed a few more racers. I started
up a small hill I was about to pass an older women but she wanted none of that!
She stood up to keep with up me, and did until we crested the hill. I rarely
stand up, it wastes energy. I spin at a high cadence so my legs don’t get
tired. We crested and I got out in front of her. Out on Rt 1 again but it was
nice to know what to expect. I passed a few more people and was never passed. I
tried catching some of the guys ahead of me but couldn’t. Coming into T2 I spun
higher to get my legs ready to run. I do slow down just a bit but I make it up
if my legs aren’t pumped from killing a big gear. Got through T2 in 32 seconds.
How timing works in Triathlon: We wear timing chips and as
we go over set timing mats it reads our number clocks us in/out. There aren’t
separate mats for each leg AND transitions. So when we get our of the water or
pool we run a certain distance, some races farther than others and when we hit
the mat it ends our swim time and starts the first transition time. As we exit
transition that stops our T1 time and begins our bike time. Same coming in for
the bike to run. Then it stops our time when we cross the finish. In photos the
time isn’t accurate unless you are in the first wave. They adjust your time for
your actually start time.
Back to the run my legs were heavier then they usually are
but I had to push through it. The course trended up for the first mile with a
few flat spots. Then down to a turn around spot after the aid station we turned
the cornet and it went up and up and up. About a 12-15% grade I didn’t see that
on the warm up. I kept my feet moving and craved the downhill. The quicker I
got up the quicker I could go down. I was feeling really good and tried to pick
up the pace as I got closer to the finish. About 30 yds from the finish we had
nearly a 180ยบ turn, I hate that it throws off your momentum. I ran hard to the
finish and felt really good!!
Found Gina and she had a big smile she was proud as always!
The sun never came out and I got chilled pretty quickly. Went inside and put
layers on while drinking recovrite and elevating my legs. We looked at results
and I was 2nd female so far. Wahooo. I jogged for 10 mins and
returned to find I was pushed down to 3rd. Still pretty happy. I
looked at the bike time for the new 1st place female. It was 8 mins
faster than the top male. That is very very rare but maybe. I matched her
number with her and she looked strong but looked at her swim and run time and
it didn’t match up. Maybe she only did one lap?
They started awards and I was 2nd and she was not
first it was a mistake. Another mix up in results. Now you can see why I NEVER
trust preliminary results.
The food was awesome here and was open to spectators –that’s
a first. They started age group results and I didn’t think I’d get called up
again but I did for winning my AG. In most races if the age group winner places
in the top three overall they roll down the age group awards so 2nd-4th
are recognized. I’m torn with that policy. Regardless if I win my AG. That
person worked had and deserves 1st place in AG good for them they
also placed in top 3. I once was 2nd in my AG but was given a first place medal
I felt funny.
After looking at the results online. Only 3 of us ran a sub
7 min per mile pace. Me and the 1st and 3rd male so I was
also the only female to run sub 7 min mile pace. Super pumped with that.
I ended up chatting with Jenny, the seat girl after the
race. She races with a team out of Maine and is racing the Franconia Tri on
June 8th. We are hoping to pre ride that bike course together!
Results
Overall: 5/128
Female: 2/76
Age Group: 1/9
View online results here
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