First all, a huge thanks to all the volunteers, race organizers, and the spectators for making this a fantastic event. Overall, the event ran smoothly and the weather couldn't of been more perfect.
(part of my cheering squad)
Swim: My plan for the swim was to take it easy and save my energy for the bike and run. There was a lot of congestion, also known as the "human washing machine" from the start til after the turnaround at the first buoy. After that, it was smooth sailing - I just found some feet and followed along. About halfway through the swim I felt my timing chip fall off my leg. There was nothing I could do about it so I just kept on going, focusing on my stroke and breathing, and thinking ahead to my transition. I mentioned to someone at transition that I lost my timing chip. Swim time: 35 minutes
T1: out of the swim I ran out of the swim exit and headed to my bike which was at the far west side of transition area. I threw on my helmet, sunglasses, sock, shoes and ran out to the bike start. Overall, uneventfulBike: The bike course was an out and back course with hills from mile 10-14. We had a slight headwind heading out, but I felt good as I kept my cadence around 85-90 and was able to pass quite a few people. About halfway through the first hill I got my butt handed to me by about 5 people (note to self: need some work on hills). I was able to keep my cadence high and heart rate in check through the hills so I had energy to hammer it back to T2. Took in a gel at mile 16 and hydrating was in check. I wish I would of had my aero water bottle - I seem to lose a lot of speed when I grab my water bottle from the cage. On the way back to transition we had a tailwind and I felt really strong and was able to pass quite a few people. Bike time: 1:10
T2: I picked up my running shoes and noticed a timing chip! That really tells you the race was organized when they are able to get you a new race chip when you lost your first one without incident. Anyway, other than getting my Garmin switched to 'run' mode, t2 was uneventfulRun: I started the run at about a 7:15 pace, so I knew I had to back down to save energy for the upcoming hills. So I backed down the pace and out of the park we went. Our first minor hill wasn't too bad, I definitely felt the brick legs, but I kept telling myself to push ahead and leave it all on the course. The first hill was a killer - quads were burning and I felt like I was crawling. I had decided before the race that I would walk through all the water stations, which worked out well for this race. I think this is something I will continue to do. My mentality for the run was to 'leave it all out on the course'. So I pushed through and made it back to the park. Coming through the finish line is always such a great feeling, and a truly indescribable high - all the training had paid off and I cut 15 minutes off my previous PR!
final time: 2:41
(part of my cheering squad)
Swim: My plan for the swim was to take it easy and save my energy for the bike and run. There was a lot of congestion, also known as the "human washing machine" from the start til after the turnaround at the first buoy. After that, it was smooth sailing - I just found some feet and followed along. About halfway through the swim I felt my timing chip fall off my leg. There was nothing I could do about it so I just kept on going, focusing on my stroke and breathing, and thinking ahead to my transition. I mentioned to someone at transition that I lost my timing chip. Swim time: 35 minutes
T1: out of the swim I ran out of the swim exit and headed to my bike which was at the far west side of transition area. I threw on my helmet, sunglasses, sock, shoes and ran out to the bike start. Overall, uneventfulBike: The bike course was an out and back course with hills from mile 10-14. We had a slight headwind heading out, but I felt good as I kept my cadence around 85-90 and was able to pass quite a few people. About halfway through the first hill I got my butt handed to me by about 5 people (note to self: need some work on hills). I was able to keep my cadence high and heart rate in check through the hills so I had energy to hammer it back to T2. Took in a gel at mile 16 and hydrating was in check. I wish I would of had my aero water bottle - I seem to lose a lot of speed when I grab my water bottle from the cage. On the way back to transition we had a tailwind and I felt really strong and was able to pass quite a few people. Bike time: 1:10
T2: I picked up my running shoes and noticed a timing chip! That really tells you the race was organized when they are able to get you a new race chip when you lost your first one without incident. Anyway, other than getting my Garmin switched to 'run' mode, t2 was uneventfulRun: I started the run at about a 7:15 pace, so I knew I had to back down to save energy for the upcoming hills. So I backed down the pace and out of the park we went. Our first minor hill wasn't too bad, I definitely felt the brick legs, but I kept telling myself to push ahead and leave it all on the course. The first hill was a killer - quads were burning and I felt like I was crawling. I had decided before the race that I would walk through all the water stations, which worked out well for this race. I think this is something I will continue to do. My mentality for the run was to 'leave it all out on the course'. So I pushed through and made it back to the park. Coming through the finish line is always such a great feeling, and a truly indescribable high - all the training had paid off and I cut 15 minutes off my previous PR!
final time: 2:41
