Swim: 7:54 (1/female, 9/overall swim)
T1: 2:00
Bike: 52:47 (20.5mph)
T2: 1:25
Run: 34:12 (6:51/mile)
1:38:15
3rd female overall
Long Version:
I signed up for this race totally last minute when it became a team race. I have ridden my bike about 3 times in the past 2 months, but have been swimming more and my run is coming together really great for the marathon, so I was very interested to see what I could do. The 'long course' version of this race is a 1/2 mile swim (with the current), 18 mile bike, 5 mile run, both pancake flat. My race plan: HAMMER.
I did 25 mile spin and a 80-minute open water swim on the Jersey Shore with one of the Kona-bound roommates the day before, and felt really great in the water and was hopeful for the morning. My legs had been DEAD all week, but I ignored them and hoped they would come around.
Race morning was un-eventful, other than some hoopla surrounding my coach and some 'special' racers he was coaching, but it was a great group down from NYC racing and the atmosphere was really exciting. The race venue was beautiful, the weather was absolutely perfect, and I was very impressed with the organization and race director. He put on a really great event overall.
Swim- It was a 1/2 mile swim. With the current. All female long-course racers started in the second wave, and I wanted to be first out of the water. I hopped out front and swam as hard as I could. Mission accomplished, first women out by a large margin, and I ended up having the 9th overall fastest swim of the day. Crazy fun experience hearing the cheers and realizing I was actually leading the race.
T1- slow, slow, slow. Had trouble getting my wetsuit off. My chip came off with it. My hands were cold.
Bike- I knew this was going to hurt no matter what, so I just got in my drops and rode. No computer, no idea of speed, cadence, nothing. I led the women's race for about 5 miles. Roommate passed me like I was standing still. There was tons of drafting going on in the mens race, as well as silly men trying to draft off little old me. I just rode my own race and only had to yell a few times at guys boxing me in.
Another teammate passed me I think right around 9 miles. I picked it up a bit to try to keep pace with her, but she slowly pulled away. With about 1 mile left in the bike, a third woman FLEW past me. I resisted the urge to hammer it home to hit transition with her, and spun my legs out and hoped my legs would be there on the run. My hip and back were aching a bit, but I was having so much fun, as evidenced by the goofy smile that makes all my bike pictures completely stupid and un-usable :)
Last race on my old steed- she treated me well :)T2- I had a great spot in transition and was in and out.
Run- I ended up leaving transition with the female who had passed me on the end of the bike. She tried to make small talk, complained about numb feet (yes, mine were too, but I wasn't about to tell her that!!), and decided to push the pace to see if she could hang. She couldn't. I was able to see both teammates ahead of me at the first turnaround, and realized I was very solidly in 3rd place. There was a little lady in a orange speedo, cotton crop top, and scrunchy socks running in 4th, but no way was I letting her pass.
I didn't let up and tried to push the pace. The course passes transition and the finish-line for another mile long out and back, and a guy ran past and heard some teammates cheering my name and yelled out for me to get on his heels and "STAY THERE- COME ON, YOU CAN DO THIS!!" He definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and tried to keep me with him, yelling encouragement and my name. I had no clue how much longer we had, so I tried to stick with him as long as I could. It was so helpful and made me realize that another gear was there, even as he slowly pulled away. I ran the last mile scared that I was going to get caught by the scrunchy-socks woman and lose the overall podium, and finished in more pain (but the good kind) than I have felt in a very long time.
Hurtin bad- about 1/4 mile left.
My teammates and I ended up placing 1-2-3 in the women's long course and there were lots of other age group awards for the team, in both the long and short course races. It was a really GREAT day, and a perfect way to end what has been an amazing season. I am lucky to be healthy and racing and also have the awesome support of a truly amazing group of athletes.
Clearly, the highlight of the day (week, month, season, year?) was the most amazing gift I received after the race. It's a really long story, but the gist is I am the new owner of a lovely, brand new 2010 Giant that is nicer than anything I ever expected to own. I have promised free swim-lessons for life to my fairy godmother, and am picking the bike hopefully tonight and getting fit next week.
A truly perfect way to end the season- I can't WAIT for the winter, to get comfy on the new frame and ROCK OUT next season!
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