Third Person

For the month of April, I've committed to 30 days of posting!

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Day 25

Third Person Post

Write about a memory you have, but describe it using the third person. Use as many sensory images (sights, sounds, textures, etc) as you can. Don't use I or me unless you include dialogue.

They sped down the highway toward Farmington Connecticut on a warm, late summer, sunday morning. The bike was stacked and tied down with springy zip ties on the back of the car, and inside was a carefully packed bag with all her race day essentials, including bib numbers, timing chip, and swim cap. It was slightly cool and she dressed wearing her Tri shorts, a T-shirt, and a sweatshirt to keep the chill away.

The anxiety was building on the 45 minute drive. Would she get there on time? Would she survive the swim, almost double the distance she was used to? After panic stricken words with her patient boyfriend and a few wrong turns later, they drove into Winding Lake. 

The transition area was a sea of all different kinds of women. Some there for their first triathlon, some seasoned vets. After finding a very tight spot to tuck into, she carefully laid her gear out. Her pink striped towel was the foundation, layered with her purple asics gt 2160 running shoes, her pink bib holder, and a pink handheld water bottle in back. In front was the cycling shoes, with her pink pearl izumi socks draped carefully sticking out. Extra glide, and fuel filled in the empty spaces.

 Rushing to get everything in place, she rushed into her wetsuit after a quick spray down of Pam. The pam made the struggle of the wetsuit only slightly easier. The black neoprene was tight, and required major effort to be pulled into the right place. Next was the swim cap, and goggles poised on the forehead, ready to be put into place.

Standing with her boyfriend on the beach, she stared out at the buoys. He gave her the encouragement she needed to get in the water. Soon she would be on her way to finishing her last triathlon of the season....

In case you're curious.

This is a description of my pre-race to the Women's Tri in Farmington, CT (a GREAT race by the way). If you're interested in reading more about my race day, check out my race report HERE!

CT Women's Triathlon Race Report!

Pre-Race

You might remembered that I questioned even doing this race. I had registered over a month ago, knowing that last year the race sold out. When I hit the button to send my money to the Hartford Marathon Foundation and register myself as an Athena for race day, I made a promise to myself that I would swim more, and bike more. I was already doing plenty of running. Unfortunately my motivation to swim faded and soon I was skipping every monday scheduled swim. In fact, I only got 2 pool swims in between my last triathlon (Wilbraham YMCA) and this race. Major fail. I also didn't get out much to ride. Busy weekends made me skip my saturday long rides, and weekdays I always had something else to do after work.

Needless to say, I was skeptical about my performance if I participated in the race. Then I thought about how I had paid $95 for the race, and that it was sold out. I talked myself into it on friday, not too last minute, right?

Saturday afternoon, my mom headed with me to packet pick up in Farmington, CT. My mom has just caught the workout bug, in fact she is now training to walk the Disney Half Marathon!! Bringing my mom to packet pickup was a great idea, because not only did I get a fabulous tech tee & bag included with my race fee, but my mom splurged on an amazing bike jersey and car magnet for me, thanks mom!

After packet pick up, I took my mom to Fleet Feet to get fitted for running/walking shoes. She is going to try a run(slooow jog)/walk method & is following Jeff Galloway's plan that is specific for the Disney Half. She was surprised to learn she should have been wearing a sneaker a whole size bigger because of how her foot expands in standing. She loves her New Balance shoes she finally settled on!

Home to lay things out, then go out for a few hours to a wild pig roast party. I sadly had to skip the ice luge, flip cup, and kegs of BBC to be in top shape for the morning. We ended the night early and made it home around 9:30.

Race Day

After getting myself ready, eating my usual breakfast, applying my Tri-Tats (pretty cool) & getting my gear together, I managed to pry Kevin out of bed with promises of Dunkin Donuts, and a nap after the race. We got to the race site, which was at beautiful Winding Trails in Farmington, CT.

Tri Tats!

finished product!

We got there at what I thought was a good time, however almost every single spot on my rack was taken. I ended up far back in a different kind of rack than I'm used to, which was holding my bike poorly, and let it keep toppling over. I quickly started putting my things out and chatted with a few girls near me that were first timers. I was in the last wave, which was Athenas and first timers. As I was laying out my things, a man starting shouting, transition will close in 10 minutes. 10 minutes??!! I still had to pee & get a wetsuit on! I finished laying out my stuff, sprayed myself with Pam (first time trying that trick), and started to wiggle into my wetsuit. I met up with Kevin and we headed to the beach.

The Swim

They did a thoughtful September 11 ceremony before the race start, complete with a bag piper, and soon the swim was starting. It looked forever long, and I was starting to get butterflies. The longest race swim I have ever done is 1/4 mile, and this year only 300 yards, so I was in panic mode. I tried to breathe, remind myself that swimming is my strongest sport, and that I would just go nice and easy to be ready for the rest of the race.

look at that long swim! left to right, orange buoys on the right.

getting ready for my wave!

I started out on the inside, which I thought was a great place, but not many others had the same idea as me. This made my path somewhat clear for most of the race. The pond was a little clearish, so I was able to see feet in front of me, and move rather than get kicked in the face. I swam strong & effortlessly, and I couldn't believe how fast the distance was shrinking. My sighting was pretty much spot on, my form felt smooth, and my breathing easy. By far, the easiest time I have had on a swim in any triathlon. I'm sure I could have pushed a little harder & gone faster, but I wanted to be sure I had the energy for the whole 1/2 mile.

exiting the swim

1/2 mile swim = 19:21

140/492 finishers

The Bike

It was a long jog to transition, and I was able to get my swim cap & half my wetsuit off on the way. I threw on my sleeveless bike jersey (seriously a great wardrobe decision), my socks, bike shoes & helmet. I took a swig of Nuun & ate a honey stinger chew. Leaving transition, a volunteer yelled that my goggles were stuck on my bike pedal. I quickly threw them off to the side, good excuse for a new pair.

I took off on the bike. The course was fairly flat with a couple hills up, and a few sweet downhills too. I started behind an Athena and was focused on keeping up with her, but I lost her after the first turn. Not to worry, I was passing people left & right. This race was a BIG race and compared to the little triathlons I did this year it was nice to pass some people instead of getting passed all the time.

elevation of the bike course

Around mile 7-8, a woman in the 50 year old age group and I kept passing each other. We chatted a little bit, and eventually I overtook her on a straight away and downhill. The last mile, an Athena came up and passed me, I pushed it to keep up with & we rode neck & neck into transition. I felt strong the entire bike leg and was seeing speeds on my Garmin that I have never seen on a ride. I averaged 16.5mph & hit a top speed of 28.8mph. I am pretty convinced I had my best ride ever.

T1 = 1:52

12 mile bike = 43:46

206/492 finishers

The Run

Heading to transition was a little crowded as people were heading out for the run, which was the same as the bike entrance. Some people were not hustling their bikes to the racks, which slowed me down. Finally I slipped off my shoes and got my running shoes on, race belt on, more Nuun down my throat & grabbed my Garmin off the bike. My stupid Garmin hates sweat however, and was being a Pain in the Ass, and refused to reset for the run. In fact, I didn't get it started until almost a 1/4 mile into the run, which was a steep uphill, up a rocky path.

Did I somehow forget that this was a trail run? I completely missed that memo, in fact the only time I have ever run on a trail, was the time Shelley & I got lost in Forest Park on our long run (HERE). The trail run was through a nice wooded trail, with mud, sticks, tree roots, and rocks to avoid. This slowed my pace significantly at time, and others sped it up. My pace was all over the place, but I  stopped for one slight break for a little gatorade at the water stop, and only 1 or 2 other places for a quick walk break.

run paces

I got passed by several people on the run, but I did manage to pass others too. I even passed one Athena, which I was pumped about. My Garmin's late start, led me to be uncertain about my current distance, so I had no idea how much gas I had to keep in the tank before going all out. I was a little conservative near the end. Then, a little boy yelled, over this hill then you'll see the finish line. Since my Garmin said maybe 2.6 miles,  didn't believe him, but there it was. I took off, going as hard as I could, making sure to pass one last person on my way to the finishing chute.

I smoked her, she's not even close to me!

T2 = 2:03

3.1 mile run = 34:45

332/492 finishers

I saw Kevin just as I was finishing ( missed him at every transition in the race), and he met me at the end of the chute. I gave up my timer chip, and got some water a handmade "finisher" magnet with cute little fish, sneakers & a bicycle on it. We promptly headed over to the beer tent for the 10 penny ale, which was fabulous. I wasn't hungry at all, but I grabbed a caesar salad wrap for Kevin and a banana for me. They had a few booths set up with different companies, and Kevin bought me a couple nice things (more on them later). We decided to head to transition, get my gear into the car, then go back to the finishing area for more beer & hopefully the results. Bad news? Beer was kicked, and results were only available that night online.

finisher "medal"

after the finish!

Final Results

1:41:44

17/59 Athena

222/492

After waiting in traffic to exit the park, we headed home for some Bertuccis brick oven pizza and water. I felt sick the rest of the day after a 2 hour nap, but thankfully am much better now. 

The good of the race?

Well organized

LOTS of signage

small swim waves

flat bike course

AWESOME dri-fit shirt swag

The bad of the race?

My horrible bike rack which didn't hold my bike well

LOTS of first timers who didn't follow bike rules on the road

a rocky, muddy trail run (bad because of the flooding we've had lately)

Beer finished early

This race re-lit my triathlon fire! I felt strong and competitive throughout the whole race. I couldn't wait to get back to training and thinking about all the races of next year. I'm so excited to do this race next year, and convince some friends next time to do it with me. Anyone else in?

To race or not to race?

Today I am so incredibly sore from bootcamp yesterday, that I cannot squat to pee. Thank goodness my trainer is off to California for advanced TRX training and will be missing the next 3 sessions. Bad news is, I know my strength training will suffer during that time. No worries, she'll be back right as I begin Marathon Training!!

Now before that marathon training begins, I still have a couple weeks. This weekend leads me to debatable races. I already signed up for the Women's Triathlon in Farmington, CT on sunday over a month ago. 

Problem? 

I have only been swimming once since my last race. It was a 1/2 mile, but it was a pool. I was not feeling good after my open water swim at the last race, and that was only 300 yards. I have not been cycling, and now the rain is keeping me from it. I could have pulled the bike in on the trainer tonight, but instead I laid on the couch. I could tomorrow night, while Kevin's at class. The running I am not concerned with, it's what I've been doing the most of, even though its my weakest sport, its my most comfortable. I have no friends to do this race with, but Kevin would tag along to cheer me on. Do I skip or plow through even though I will have a panic attack in the water probably not be pleased with my performance?

Saturday is a local 5K to support TBI research. The weather is supposed to be perfect running weather, the cost is only $20, the roads are relatively flat, and its 5 min from home in lovely Longmeadow, MA. Hmmm maybe I should go after that under 30 5K I've been dying for?

Should I do the triathlon or aim for the 5K PR?

Or both?!

I faced the music of the scale at my meeting tuesday. 3 pounds in mojitos, desserts, and cheese plates. Totally worth it. Yesterday & today I have counted points, and stayed fairly healthy, working at getting back on track with my nutrition. I know that weight loss would really help me while training for Disney!

What's your advice for me as I get ready to start marathon training?