« Running Blind | Main | Swimming Dizzy! »
July 29, 2006
The Good News and Bad News
The good news from today's race - I broke the course record! :) The bad news...so did the woman that beat me by 2 minutes. Doh!
The woman that won also won last year. The winning time last year was 1:31.xx. When I crossed the line in 1:27 I thought I may have won. Unfortunately she had already crossed the line (she started the race about 30 minutes ahead of me since she was in an early heat) in 1:25. I was still pleased with my race though. The swim was in a pool and each heat was 12 minutes apart so it was really hard to "race" anyone today - everyone was so spaced out! But I honestly don't think I could have cut 2 minutes from my time even if the winner and I were in the same heat and racing head to head.
My swim was fine - 400 yards in a little (hot) YMCA pool in around 5:45. It was actually nice swimming in a pool with nobody kicking you in the face, although it didn't feel quite like the start of a triathlon. :)
The bike was up next and I felt pretty good on it. It was relatively flat with one nice hill and otherwise very long gradual uphills and downhills. I don't have my exact splits but my bike computer said I did it in around 58 minutes with an average speed of about 21 MPH. Sweet. I was pretty pleased with that.
Next the run. I wasn't too happy with my run in the last tri I did - almost 22 minutes for 5K - so I had to redeem myself a little. Especially considering this should be my best event. Have to represent! The good news is the run course was very flat and I felt pretty decent so I squeezed in in under 21 minutes. Still nothing to write home about but at least better than 22 minutes. I can't wait to see the real results with the splits. I want to see where the winner made up 2 minutes on me. I'm guessing the bike as based on her build. She didn't look like a runner but a swimmer rather. It would have been pretty hard to swim 2 minutes faster in a 400 yard swim so the bike it is. :)
Anyway, it was a great day overall. The awards were actually very nice. I practiced some things (like actually taking fluids and a gel on the bike) that I'll need for next week's "A" race, the Olympic distance tri in downtown Pittsburgh. Because I'm so new to this, each of these races, no matter how small, really help me out. Just getting through the transitions and learning the little ins and outs and tricks of the trade are just what I need. I definitely learn something new each time.
And that was that! Triathlon #3 down and #4 is next Sunday already. Very excited for that one - my biggest (and longest!) race of the season with the best competition. I was thinking when I was running today how that 10K is not going to feel very nice next weekend. But then again, that marathon after the 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike next July in Lake Placid won't be a cake walk either. :)
Posted by beth at July 29, 2006 5:02 PM
Comments
Wahoo! Congratulations Beth!! You'll get her next year (if you can still move after the Ironman!).
Posted by: Audrey at July 29, 2006 10:32 PM
Congratulations! I can't believe how quickly you are getting really good at these triathlons. Actually, I can believe because I know you -- but still, it's impressive. Plus I like telling my friends that my sister is a triathlete. It sounds so much more hard core than just running. (Probably because most people immediately think of "Ironman" when they think of triathlons, whereas running conjures up the 5k that they walk/jogged with some of their friends from work.)
Posted by: B at July 30, 2006 2:16 PM
... an off-the-cuff TRI-adaptation, the changes in CAPITALS...
"Go to LAKE PLACID amid the noise and haste,
And remember what peace there may be in TRIATHLONS.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all COMPETITORS.
GIVE your EFFORT quietly & clearly;
and SENSE THE PRESENCE OF others,
even the SLOW & UNFIT;
they too have their PLACE.
Avoid VIOLENT & ATHLETES WHO CHEAT,
they are vexations to SPORT.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain & bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser COMPETITORS than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your THESE ACHIEVEMENTS, however humble;
THEYARE a real possession in the changing future of PERFORMANCE.
Exercise caution in your TRAINING;
for YOUR BODY AND MIND ARE full of SURPRISES.
But let this not blind you to what POSSIBILITIES there ARE;
many ATHLETES strive for GREAT RESULTS;
and everywhere SPORT is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign SUPPORT.
Neither be cynical about LOVE FOR ENDURANCE;
for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment
it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of THE TRIZILLA,
gracefully surrendering YOUR RUNNING-ONLY PAST.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.
Beyond wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a TRIATHLETE of the universe,
no less than IRONMEN AND IRONWOMEN;
you have a right to GO TO LAKE PLACID.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt YOUR TRI-LIFE is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive THE WORD TO MEAN,
and whatever THE COURSE OR DISTANCE,
in the noisy, SPLASHY, confusion of A RACE keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams,
ENDURACE IS A BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
Be cheerful AND KICK SOME BUTT.
Strive to be happy AND HEALTHY."
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at July 30, 2006 5:50 PM
wow... great job on this race... can't wait to hear about #4....
Posted by: Kranky C Dale at July 31, 2006 9:47 AM
That is awesome Beth!!! Way to go. You are going to do great this coming weeekend too, can't wait to read about it :)
Posted by: barb at August 1, 2006 6:22 PM