Saturday, September 20, 2008

I wasn't last!!!


USAT National Championship Race Report

Got to Hagg Lake on Friday at 1:00. Zot dropped me off and took the kids to lunch so I was able to pick up my race packet and listen to some of the talks in peace. I was able to get one of my bike jerseys signed by 4 members of the Olympic team which is really cool!

At 2 I was able to get into transition to rac my bike and take a look at where I would come in from the swim, exit on the bike and then exit after T2 for the run.

The vibe was very unlike any race I have been to thus far. It was VERY competitive and I felt compelled to lose 15 pounds and buy a $4000 bike before the race the following day.

By 3 I left to go back to Amber's house for home made cupcakes (so delicious) and an early bedtime.


Saturday 5 a.m.

Up after a pretty good sleep, downed coffee, emergencee, 2 toaster pastries and a bananna and Amber drove me out to the race site. Into transition by 6:30. Loaded the nutrition onto the bike, set up the transition area, grabbed my wetsuit and checked in my bag into the security area. I was then body marked and given my timing chip. Ready to go!

The race started at 7:15 with the older age group and waves went every 4 min. until 7:30 or so when they had a 30 min break and then restarted to let the older people head out on the bike. My wave went off at 8:28. I warmed up a bit and then before I knew it we were in the water and the airhorn blasted and we were off! The buoys looked far away but the water was clear and felt great. What didn't feel so great was my ever stretching size too big wet suit pulling my legs down to the bottom of the lake. Angela, bless her, stood in line at Triumph, this morning and got a smaller size suit for me but this did not help me out in this race. I tried to just stay calm and get into a rhythm and I did fine. Not fast but I survived. Out of the water in 34 min.

Up a long hill to the transition area. Pretty easy, wet suit off, helmet on, glasses on, shoes on..GO!

Bike: Bike was HARD. This course kicked my ass. The first loop was ok. I tried to keep the heart rate in check but stay fast. On the second loop after about the 4th or 5th mile I felt a "something" happened with my left hip flexor which has been giving me issues lately. I had a lot of trouble after that point climbing with a lot of power. It just hurt. Got through the second loop and managed to pass a few people. Bike 1:24


T2 Uneventful

Run: A long slow slog. Up a hill, down a hill, up a hill, down a hill. All the while I was feeling it in that left hip. Started to old man shuffle up those last hills on the way back. Run took 1:04 which is about a 10 min mile. Not too impressive but good for how I was feeling.

Crossed the line and went right to the medical tent for ice which is the first time I have visited a medical tent after a race.

Total time 3:08. Pretty sure I was at the bottom of my age group but I was 864/1200 overall so I for damn sure was not last.

I would love to go back to this race again and blow it out of the water, qualify for Team USA and go to Worlds but for now I was really just thrilled to be there. Got a sweet National Championship jacket at the finish and my kids think I am a rockstar!