About a month ago, I completed my first true multi-sport event! I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get to recapping it, because I had a great experience and it definitely made me hungry to do more multi-sport events.
Despite my success, I honestly almost didn’t even go to this race. I hadn’t gotten on my bike as much as I hoped/planned. I was planning to do this with a friend, and when I found out that week that she wasn’t going to go, I was crushed. I was bummed and very anxious about something going wrong and me being all alone. Topping this off with Jake not wanting to go (he doesn’t love spectating and hates early mornings…), I was going into the morning with a negative attitude.
Pre-Race: I left around 5:00 to get to the start with plenty of time to rack my bike and prepare. My biggest worry about the morning was forgetting my bike. I remembered it, so the day was obviously a success. I arrived at 5:45, and was pretty much set up by 6:15 for the 7:00 start. Two girls parked next to my car were having bike troubles, so I helped and we got to talking. Finds out they were first-timers as well, and one of the girls is also training for Goofy! It lifted my spirits to make some new friends. An instagram follower also said hello in the “corral”, which gave me some mojo back as well.
Run 1 – 2 miles, 19:36: The age group women took off and I got in a little pack with the three ladies I had met lining up. I felt great for the first mile, while already facing rolling hills. Any 2 mile run to me feels pretty uneventful. I ran straight for about 1.25 miles before taking a short walk break. A lady told me I was a good pacer, but there was a lot of race left on a warm, humid morning. (Garmin stats: 2.09 mi, 19:43, 9:39 avg)
Transition 1, 2:05: I came into transition and walked to my bike to lower my heart rate a little. The other girls I ran around were out well before me, but I didn’t want to do something stupid like forget my helmet or glasses.
Bike – 13 miles, 56:49: The bike is where I felt awesome in this race. Within a mile of leaving the transition area, I passed the group of ladies I was running with, that left on their bikes before me. This portion of the race was hills hills hills, but I feel I held my own. I was passed by quite a few people with tri bikes on the downhills and flats, but kept my own on the hills, and even passed others. Realistically, I was just proud to make it up the hills without walking my bike. I had a couple of Chomps around mile 10 just to keep my sugar/salt levels up, because I was soaked with sweat. I came up the last mile passing people finishing their run feeling great. Despite being passing quite a few people at the beginning, more ladies with more lighter/aerodynamic bikes passed me. (Garmin stats: 13.43 mi, 56:32, 14.3 mph)
Transition 2 – 1:43: I dismounted my bike and ran it to the rack. I was feeling pumped and was afraid my legs would cramp up if I moved too slowly. My main goal was to actually remember to take my helmet off – success. Helmet off, hat on – the sun came out and it was HOT.
Run 2 – 2 miles, 22:53: There was a water stop right outside of transition, so I grabbed one and dumped it over my head to cool down because I was definitely starting to feel overheated. It was a stupid idea because then I had sweat in my eyes! Uck. I spent the run doing unstructured run/walk intervals, based on what I could see ahead of me. I was not fast, but did the best I could with my legs definitely not feeling loose. I passed a few people, and was passed by just 1. While I walked a bit more than I would have hoped, I finished with a big smile on my face! (Garmin stats: 2.09 mi, 22:54, 10:59 avg)
Finish: My overall finish time was 1:43:04 for 44th out of 80 women. I went in with a goal of 2 hours (I was nervous for the hills!) and a reach goal of 1:50, so I was stoked! Not only did I make my goals, but I came in 3rd in my age group.
I quickly replenished myself with gatorade, water, and some oranges. RipIt (who put on the race) has had chips at other races of theirs that I’d run, and I was sad there weren’t any after this race. I’ve gotten to love Fritos after a race! I met up with the two girls I had met to congratulate them hear about their experiences. After the awards ceremony, I headed home to nap and enjoy my personal victory of getting out there when I really didn’t want to (and we went to a pool party – cheers!)
In the end, I was obviously really happy that I sucked it up and went to this race. I had a great experience and felt good with my performance, despite training not going as well as I hoped. I’ve ruled out another one for this year, but next summer I’d definitely come back to this race, or even try a Tri!
NOW it’s time for me to go run. Confession…I’ve sucked at getting up for runs all summer. Like, really bad. While I’m working now, my hours are later in the day, which has not helped me get up any earlier…So it’s a lunchtime run for me today.
See Sam Run 