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May 18, 2008
Columbia - The Quick and Dirty Report
Full race report with (many) pictures to follow! But for now, the highlights of the day:
1) Meeting and getting to talk to sooooo many great people!
2) I FINALLY SWAM SOMEWHAT DECENTLY. And I repeat - I FINALLY SWAM SOMEWHAT DECENTLY! Now no snickers from the peanut gallery when I announce my swim split, because I know it's still dismal HOWEVER it was 45 seconds faster than I have ever swam a 1500 open water swim before and for that I am so grateful! I needed (and I mean REALLY needed) to swim a PR at some point in this season before I gave up all hope that I would ever swim faster than 23-24 minutes. Now I have renewed faith in the fact that one day, my hard work in the pool just might come to use. Okay, here is it - 22:17! :) I know, I know - it's still laughable but it's moving in the right direction. You've gotta give me that! :)
3) I went 3:49 faster than last year! Partly due to my faster swim but mostly due to the fact that I biked about 3:30 faster than last year. Don't know where that came from?!
Now for the one low-light - I wasn't able to defend my amateur title from last year! But truthfully I'm not THAT disappointed because (1) my time was so much faster than last year (2) I was still 2nd today (3) I lost to a very, very good athlete in Heather Leiggi of whom I've never beaten before and really haven't even come close and (4) I really did give it everything I had on the run to try to catch Heather, but I just couldn't find that extra 19 seconds in me. I was beat! And it's hard to be disappointed when you know you gave it everything you had!
O and I really had a blast today. I feel like triathlon is so much more fun this year as we get to meet more and more people in the sport! Much more to come but for now I must sleep (I feel like I've been up for 2 days straight now...) but thanks everyone for your good luck wishes and all your encouragement! I am so lucky! :)
Posted by beth at May 18, 2008 10:40 PM
Comments
Oh, yeah, Beth! Congrats on the swim PR and the strong day out. I can't wait to read the full report, but I'm really happy for you! Recover smiling!
Meghan
Posted by: Meghan at May 18, 2008 11:28 PM
congrats on the new PRs!!! And hey, that's a great swim! I would be super excited to see 22xx - awesome! Recover well. :)
Posted by: rachelross at May 19, 2008 3:05 AM
congrats on the new PRs!!! And hey, that's a great swim! I would be super excited to see 22xx - awesome! Recover well. :)
Posted by: rachelross at May 19, 2008 3:05 AM
Beth, nice job! When I saw your results on line last night I yelled out "look at that swim time!". I'm glad you're pleased with that swim time - you should be! Glad you had a great day all around. Happy recovery. - ness.
Posted by: Ness at May 19, 2008 5:27 AM
Beth,
Congratulations!!!!!!! You rocked it!!! Cheers.
Posted by: kerri at May 19, 2008 7:25 AM
As a certifited member of the peanut gallery I would never snicker at your swim time. In fact I'm quite impressed. Congratulations and can't wait for the full report!
Posted by: Dawn at May 19, 2008 7:28 AM
awesome job Beth.....
Posted by: Kranky C Dale at May 19, 2008 8:06 AM
great job beth!! i would also like to say that swimming 22:xx for 1500 meters is smokin' fast!! can't wait to read the full report.
Posted by: barb at May 19, 2008 10:19 AM
I'm impressed with the bike time, which, if I'm not misreading the results, is faster than those of several of the pros. Way to go.
Posted by: Roslyn at May 19, 2008 11:28 AM
BETH!!!!!!!! Super job! And, that swim time is VERY GOOD...you should be pleased and a great time on that course! Heather is a great athlete...so you are in good company - and 2nd OA is awesome. I am so glad you are happy too. You have worked hard you deserve it all.
Posted by: Jennifer Harrison at May 19, 2008 12:58 PM
fishdom just got one step closer. Nice racing.
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at May 19, 2008 3:42 PM
I am smiling that you are smiling about your swimming. You ARE getting THERE! I;m glad it was a great weekend and congrats on your placing. Now, I can go and read O's blog and vicariously "be there" through his words!
-Danielle
Posted by: Danielle at May 19, 2008 5:10 PM
You are amazing... never give up, hard work ALWAYS pays off- sometimes it just takes forever!
Beth we are stoked for you on your new PR (that's fitness and speed starting to mix for a GREAT season in sport!) AND I totally know what you mean about being happy with 2nd, MY BEST race ever I was second and it hurt so hard to get but felt better than any win! Good attitude!
Posted by: Bree at May 19, 2008 5:35 PM