Big Improvement

I completed my third triathlon on May 22. I am just going to copy and paste my race report because, seriously, why to do I want to rewrite that?

I was excited about doing this race but not sure what to expect from myself. My first ever tri was the Tinfoilman last October and I felt like I did well considering it was my first time out. I knew I wanted to improve my time since my fitness has increased and my training has been consistent. I knew my swim would be faster, I prayed my run would be faster, and I was clueless about the bike since I really only ride on Old Spanish Trail and it looks nothing like the course.

I was happy with my ~7:41 wave start because it gave me plenty of time to get in a decent breakfast before my two hour food cutoff. I didn't sleep well, at all, the night before and was starving when I woke up. First breakfast happened before I left my house. I was out the door by 4:30. Setting up in transition was uneventful. Had plenty of time to make multiple bathroom trips, get tattooed and eat second breakfast. I was finally not hungry anymore but then the queasy nervous stuff was kicking in. Spent time cheering for the earliest waves and then warmed up for the swim.

Once the swim started my nerves settled down and I felt great. My only problem was that the gentleman sharing the lane either thought his side included the black line or he had no concept of how to swim in a straight line. This would have bothered me more if he was faster than I was, but he wasn't so I just kept having to swim past him. I was thrilled I counted all my laps correctly and got the stop sign right when I expected it. First personal "woohoo" of the day was being able to pull myself out of the pool. I did an excellent beached whale impersonation but I was out.

T1 was smooth and I didn't feel all lightheaded and disoriented like I did in October. I felt awesome until I turned on Euclid for the first time. My legs turned to lead and I felt like I was slogging along. I did my best to keep hydrating throughout the ride. I got passed a handful of times but still knew I was moving faster than I did in October. I was waiting and waiting for Jen to pass me. I knew had a couple of minutes on her from the swim but was convinced she was going to catch up and pass me on the bike. I turned into transition and loved all the cheering; felt like part of something when people actually knew me by name. Then, just as I approached my rack I saw Jen coming into transition and she said something to me which I don't remember but I am sure it was intimidating. I couldn't control the expletive that I yelled as I moved faster than I could have imagined out of transition, I think I literally threw my bike on the rack. See, I am only faster than Jen on the swim. We train and race together and I am always chasing her down on the run. I knew if I was even going to finish close to her I had to go out fast and stay consistent.

The run hurt at first, I couldn't catch my breath and felt panicky. After the first turn around at Campbell I fell into a steady pace and felt good. At the turn around at Old Main, I started to doubt myself again and I didn't see Jen so I knew she had to be right behind me. I was desperate for water when I got the water station but the kids were too busy goofing off to have any cups of water filled. I said, "I need water!" as I approached but they were fumbling for a cup to fill and I wasn't going to wait. By the second lap, I was feeling a little delirious but could not escape the feeling of being chased. If I was Jen's carrot, she was the T-rex chasing me down.

My goal was to be completely empty when I crossed the finish line and I was. My second goal was to try to knock 5 minutes off my Tinfoilman time. I dropped a whopping 13 minutes off my Tinfoilman time. This time I didn't just feel like I just showed up but actually raced. It was a great experience and I can't wait to do it again.

Needless to say, this race was awesome. I saw a huge improvement from my last Tucson Tri series race, I had so much fun hanging out and racing with friends, and it was great to be part of a larger "team". I am hooked on the triathlon lifestyle and all that it has given to me.

We only become what we are by the radical and deep-seated refusal of that which others have made of us.
Jean-Paul Sartre