My first big trophy in a Tri!!!!

All this triathlon business started back in 2006.  I have been fortunate enough over the years to walk away with some 2 and 3's and some ag awards, but this weekend was my first 1st Place Overall Female in a triathlon which was special for me!  Not only that, there were some good female competitors out there on this day!

So the day before I took as a rest day and spent the day laughing and riding motorcycles.  Sunday morning, I woke up at the crack of dawn and drove out to Monroe Falls for the race.  I was not quite as well prepared for this race as I sat by my car race morning going through all my normal pre-race activities (like foggle on the goggles and pulling everything out of 3 bags and putting into one bag, etc.).  Then I had a bunch of CTC stuff to get out and set-up.  Needless to say between all that and some chatting, I was beginning to feel tight on time.

I threw my Saucony Fast Twitch 4s on and went for a short warm up as getting in a warm-up before a sprint is fairly critical in my book.  I went to stop at one bathroom but there was a decent line so I decided I would just jog to the one on the other side of the park, which was locked!  CRAP!  So by this time I am running faster back to the other one, finally go and now and practically sprinting to get back to transition to put on my wetsuit.  To add to this, it is a hot morning and now I am totally sweating as I try to get my wetsuit on ASAP and head down to the water just in the nick of time.

Momentarily we were off on the swim.  I had lined up near the front of the short swim but was too close to the buoy line.  I kept getting tangled up in the rope that was next to the line.  The swim was ugly and I was hot.  As always I just tried to keep focused and calm while I waited for it to be over...ughh I hate the swims!  Thank goodness it was short at 400 yards.  I crossed the mat in 92nd place overall with a time of 7:49.  Boy did I get schooled in my swim by the girls that finished 2, 3 & 4 (their times were 6:25, 5:27 and 5:00).  Clearly my swim could use some continued work. For now I was just happy it was over and now it was time to go to work.

I hopped on my bike and started picking off the ladies that were in front of me.  I was working the hills and the turns as much as I could and closing the gaps.  It took me a long time to catch the lady who would end up in number 2, who I knew was an extremely strong triathlete.  Then as we entered the park I caught the final female at the front.  Overall I felt good on the bike and it was the first time I had rode the course.  Finished the 12 mi bike in 34:12 and a 21.1 avg which was 29th overall. 

I left transition right behind the last girl I had caught with the other one right on our heels.  I was breathing hard (TG I had already hit my inhaler) and even though I sounded like I couldn't breathe, I put my head down and started to pick up the pace.  The brick feeling in my legs did not last long.  Per Coach MG's instructions, I have been very consistent practicing bricks this year weekly and not only that, but running harder off the bike.  Funny thing is, now I am feeling much better running off the bike.  At one point on the course there is an out and back section by the drive way and I saw the two girls that were behind me very close together so I continued to push harder hoping I could hold the lead.  I was working the hills as much as possible and as I came through loop one, instead of my normal waving and acknowledging friends, I put my head down and tried to push even harder.  Today, I really wanted it and did not care if it hurt...perhaps my mental game is getting stronger too.  Finally I hit the finish line and was sooo excited to have held on and won!  Transition 2 and the 3.2 mi run was 22:47 (7:07 pace) and 17th overall.  This pace really doesn't mean much to me as it should have been much faster without the transition...everyone's paces were much lower than what would be typically seen.  I finished 1st female, 21st overall with a time of 1:06:02 and finished nearly 2 min ahead of the next female.

It was nice to cheer in all the friends out there racing as I stood on the sidelines.  This race has always been sort of special to me in that it has a nice local feel with a RD that I really like and it was my first triathlon ever.  Needless to say, this day made it even more special!

(Pic heading into finish line on my second loop!)