Overly Long Sprint Tri Recap

[wawa]

Short version - I had a wonderful time as usual. Triathlons just make me happy. I grin like a loon the vast majority of the race. Swim was hilariously bad but at least I’ve experienced a race OWS now, bike was a bit slower than I was hoping but felt great overall (15.8 mph), and run was fucking fantastic at 27:47, only 30 seconds off my current 5k PR. tiny local race, so only 55 people total, I was 22/55, 7/24 women, 1/6 in AG. And I beat MH by a solid 6.5 minutes. Awwww yeah.



War & Peace length storytime version:

This was my first race with my husband. Going through our pre-race routines together was...interesting. Definitely snapped at each other a few times, but I think we’ll figure that part out. I tend to be pretty neurotic the night before a race and gather every single little thing I need and then quadruple check them, so I was driving him a little crazy. And he was driving me nuts by expecting me to read his mind or something about if he needed input or direction on stuff.

Morning of we rolled out of the house around 6:00, my mama and kids in tow, to get to the race site around 6:30. Got all checked in, scared myself for a minute when they didn’t have a bib under my name - but apparently my active account still defaults to my maiden name? 7 years later I haven’t fixed it. Oops? As we get there I’m looking at the water and it’s a little choppy but not crazy. We get all set up in transition (which is on a mix of sand and grass), chat with tribestie, and just generally kill time - all the while the water gets choppier and choppier until it’s full on breakers against the rocks. COME ON MAN.

Eventually it’s time for the race to start at 7:30. The swim course starts off a small beach area, and is a right triangle - swim out perpendicular to the beach, turn 90 and swim parallel for a bit, round the 2nd buoy and head back for the beach. Pretty simple. Waves/wind are coming in at the opposite 45 degree angle to the beach so there’s no point where you’re just going with the wind/surf - it’s trying to knock you off course the whole time. Guys go first, so I kiss MH and he lines up along with the other 30 male racers along the beach while the women mill around behind them. They countdown over a megaphone, and bam, they’re off. They run into the surf, and run...and run? And...umm...why are they still running? All the women around the same time started to look at each other and then back to the guys like, “uhhhhhh.” The guys were still running and the water was only halfway up their thighs and they were already halfway to the first buoy. What the hell? Finally most of them started swimming, but their torsos kept popping back up and it became clear the the water was REALLY shallow. But it’s time now for the women’s start and I’m all, “no man, I’m gonna swim, not run. As soon as I’m knee deep i’m swimming” Yeah. no. The waves kept banging me into people who were just water jogging next to me every time I tried to actually swim since they weren’t getting pushed around as much. Everybody around me kept trying to swim now and then, and just giving up because it was like swimming in a washing machine, and knowing that we were at most chest deep made it feel ridiculous. I ran out most of the first side, swam around the first buoy, and most of the parallel leg, but as I turned for the beach I kept getting pushed toward the breakwater and finally just gave up and ran in the last 100 or so meters. WHICH WAS ABSURD. But...well, it was faster than swimming at that point. I was cracking up laughing along with my triBestie as I announced that this was the wettest duathlon ever.

“Swim” time for 400 m - 7:47.6 No clue what it would have been had I actually been swimming. Oh well.

T1 - Got my helmet and glasses on, then started to try to clean all the sand off my feet, and kept losing my balance and stepping in the sand again, so I finally just sat my ass down and jammed my socks and bike shoes onto my dirty feet. My ass and hands are now covered in sand, and my socks are also gritty as hell. Oh well. I’d brought arm sleeves in case I was cold, but the water was actually pretty warm so i wasn't cold yet and I figured I’d just suffer through the initial chill on the bike. Also had to argue with my new watch a bit - you have to hold down the lap button for an annoyingly long time to change sports in tri mode. Need to get used to that and get better at doing it on the fly. 1:51

Bike - supposed to be 12.5 miles, but it was 11 on the nose as per everybody’s watches and bike computers. Why can’t you just report the right distance people? It’s not like this is a sanctioned race, nobody cares how long it is - just say the right distance. Anyway - the course started with a long slow uphill that served nicely to get me well warmed up. I was passing people pretty steadily and getting my legs into a pretty good rhythm. A couple of not so bad hills, nice fast flats, just fun all around. Really well marked, all the turns manned with cops, cones out the wazoo. About 6 miles in I started thinking to myself that it was awfully quiet out there...i got spoiled at Iron Girl with all the support from fellow racers, but here the only thing to listen to was myself saying, “on your left” and my own breathing. So I decided to be the change I want to see - and just yelling out things to EVERYBODY I SAW. Looking good! Keep it up! Way to go! Blah blah blah. Whatever random shit popped into my head. MH who was probably about 2 miles ahead of me when i saw him on the bike got special mildly inappropriate callouts (hey baby, what you doin’ after this race?), as did triBestie, who was a bit behind me since she took her time actually cleaning her feet in T1. Finally got passed for the first time in the final mile or so of the bike course, by a skinny dude who might have actually been shivering. I heard him coming up behind me and decided since we were on a part of the course with no traffic and there weren’t really any drafting/passing rules since it wasn’t a sanctioned race I was going to make him work for it and sped up and sped up and sped up so we were riding next to each other for long enough that he started to make conversation.
“Hey, are you as cold as I am?”
“Nah man, I think I’ve got a bit more insulation than you do. Don’t worry, you’ll warm up on the run.”
“I’m not really much of a runner”
“well even more reason that you’ll start sweating! Go get it!.” and then I slowed down a bit and let him go. But then he slowed down after he passed me and I kinda loafed it in the final half mile behind him which I’m annoyed about. Should have just raced him in. ;-)

Total time 41:46. 15.8 mph. I was hoping to break 40 (16+ mph), and I probably could have. Should have pushed harder, but it’s not like I was taking a nap out there. Oh well, next time.

T2 - uneventful. Feet still sandy, but...eh? Again argued with watch a bit. 1:30

Run - Felt a little rough to start, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was holding down a low 9:xx pace without really too much effort at all so I just let it cruise. About a mile in I thought I could see MH ahead, but wasn't’ totally sure until he started goofing off for a photographer. Sped up a bit to catch up to him, gave him a nice ass slap on the way by and chatted for half a second. He whined about my making him do this stupid sport that has running and I laughed at him and ran away. Started seeing the fast people going the other way right around here too, and started handing out high fives to anybody who would make eye contact with me, thumbs up and random callouts to those who didn’t. I swear being a goofball makes me faster. If I just focus on my race I get all in my head, but if i’m just out there having a grand old time nothing hurts and I speed up. I’m sure this will eventually stop working as I get to the point where I need my breath and focus to REALLY go fast, but for now, happy goofy wawa is a good 30 seconds per mile faster than serious wawa, so goofy wawa it is! Saw MH again after the turnaround and got in a quick smooch, saw triBestie a few seconds later and was a fist-pumping yelling fool. Just held pretty steady on the back half, trying to push a hair faster, but generally just doing my thing. Got to the home stretch and started to sprint it in along with the two guys I’d been running along with for a while aaaaaand my shoe came untied. I thought about just ignoring it, but had visions of wiping out at the finish line and stopped to tie it. Both guys were like, “WAIT ARE YOU OK??!! WHY ARE YOU STOPPING!!” and I had to yell back, “JUST MY SHOE! I’M FINE!!!” and then chased their asses into the finish. Of course since they started two minutes ahead, i actually beat both of them. :-p

Time = 27:47 OMG SO THRILLED WITH THIS. My goal was just a sub30. This was only 30 seconds off my 5k PR. I guess it’s a trade-off since I feel like I left something out there on the bike, but I’m still learning how to put this all together, so I’ll take this one as a win.

And thanks to the magic of tiny races, I was first in my AG. HAHAHAHHA. No prize though. They announced the overall 1st male and female and then were like, aaaand that’s all the prizes we have. Sorry. Everybody’s a winner!!!

Funny - There was a crew of woman with triBestie and I standing around waiting for them to post the 2nd page of results at one point, and we started all chatting and comparing notes (did you see the guy running in the heavy sweatshirt? How as he not dying?!? How fast wwere the 1st and 2nd place women!? OMG they were flying!) and one of them was like, “how about that girl in the blue top? She was like the course cheerleader! Every time I saw her she was high fiving and cheering.” And I sheepishly turned to her and unzipped my hoodie and was like, “ummm, this blue top?” and yes. Yes that was in fact me. LOLs.

MH came in about 5 minutes after me (but really 7 because of the waves) and then triBestie another 5 or so minutes after him. She also hit her run goal of a sub40, and MH didn’t hate it and says his goal for the next one is just to beat me, so all in all a fantastic day for the WawaCrew. Now MH has been sending me links to new bikes all day (he was riding the road bike he’s had since he was 18) and I’m READY to sign up for the Escape the Cape in June.

Wherein I will DEFINITELY not be able to touch the bottom for 98% of the swim...

[cinco]

Congratulations!
Your recap of the swim made me laugh. that is my kind of open water swim, lol. You crushed the run!

[secretlyevil]

Congrats on your great race!

[lilypad1126]

Congrats on the awesome run time. Your recap made your tri sound like so much fun. I've never done anything but run, but all the people here who love tri's are making me think 2017 should be my year to "try". Hmm, things to think about.

Glad you and your peeps had fun!!

[mysticmuffin]

Yay wawa! Now I REALLY want to do a tri with you. Congrats on a great race and your AG win! And most importantly beating your husband.

[cole]

Congrats!!!

[judyramone]

Congratulations! Awesome job on your AG award, too.

I always love the "cheerleaders" on the course when I come across them. I am shy, but would love to make more of an effort to support other athletes like this while out on the course.

Is Escape the Cape the one in NJ where you jump off of a boat for the swim start?! It's totally on my short list for next season, too! It sounds like so much fun!

[moreace01]

Congrats on a great race!

[emilyj]

I love this so much, and I love that you love it so much!! Congratulations!!

[wawa]

Sept 26, 2016 18:34:49 GMT -5 judyramone said:

Congratulations! Awesome job on your AG award, too.

I always love the "cheerleaders" on the course when I come across them. I am shy, but would love to make more of an effort to support other athletes like this while out on the course.

Is Escape the Cape the one in NJ where you jump off of a boat for the swim start?! It's totally on my short list for next season, too! It sounds like so much fun!

It is! I'd think it sounds like such an adventure, leaping off the ferry. And then a nice flat nj bike and run.

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations on another amazing race!! Congratulations on winning your AG and beating your DH!!

[libbygrl109]

Congrats on a great race!

[taratru]

I want a swim like that for my first tri.

Love your recap, that you beat your DH, and that you're so supportive of everyone. Love it all. Great job!!!

[labbie]

Congrats, way to go with the ag win!

[juliabug]

Congratulations on your race and your AG win! I wish I could talk MH into a tri! I love small races and the camaraderie.

[luckystar2]

Congrats!!

[sweetptater]

Congratulations! I love your recap - I was grinning the entire time I was reading it!

[Wines Not Whines]

Congrats!

[shauni27]

This is an AWESOME recap! Way to, once again, crush it!!!

[sassystace]

Great job! Sounds like an overall huge success! I like to be the course cheerleader too and hate when everyone is so serious and quiet--added bonus that it makes you faster!

[thom]

This is all wonderful!! At the very least I want to come spectate a tri!

I find it hilarious they have the swim in a lake they must know is super shallow. Great job on everything! And killer run! How fun you and H did it together... And then you beat him. Did your kids have fun cheering? I hope they were proud of their awesome parents.

[wawa]

Sept 27, 2016 8:27:13 GMT -5 thom said:

This is all wonderful!! At the very least I want to come spectate a tri!

I find it hilarious they have the swim in a lake they must know is super shallow. Great job on everything! And killer run! How fun you and H did it together... And then you beat him. Did your kids have fun cheering? I hope they were proud of their awesome parents.

LOL, the kids did have fun!  I mean, Sizzli has no idea what's going on since he's 13 months old, but Shorti was psyched to wear my medal and was all, "mama did you run FAST???"  "Daddy you MADE IT!!!!" 

it was really cute having a tiny cheering section (triBestie's two girls were there too) at the finish and transitions.

The water we swam in is actually the mouth of a large river off the Chesapeake, so it's tidal.  Maybe it was just low tide?  I dunno.  I'm curious now though - gonna glance at the tide chart and see.

[wawa]

Sept 26, 2016 16:42:43 GMT -5 lilypad1126 said:

Congrats on the awesome run time. Your recap made your tri sound like so much fun. I've never done anything but run, but all the people here who love tri's are making me think 2017 should be my year to "try". Hmm, things to think about.

Glad you and your peeps had fun!!

Do it...dooooo it.

I'm an unabashed tri pusher.  It's fun.    Nice for a change anyway even if it turns out not to be your thing.

[wawa]

Photos posted! Sadly there were no course photographers on the run, so no demented gazelle this time.

DSC_0626 by AACo Recreation and Parks, on Flickr

Leaving T2 with my tummy hanging out. I think I want a one piece tri suit...
DSC_0465 by AACo Recreation and Parks, on Flickr

And a picture of people coming into the swim finish - I'm in that group in the front. The water doesn't look nearly as rough in the picture as it felt. I'm a sissy I guess. Escape the cape should be interesting. But you can see the people in the back just moseying in waist deep water...
DSC_0317 by AACo Recreation and Parks, on Flickr

[ktzmoh]

Congrats on a great race! That's a really funny swim recap, and a pretty amazing run time! Congratulations!!

[wawa]

Sept 27, 2016 18:16:22 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Congrats on your first OWS race and AG win! I'm glad the temps worked out for you

Oh God the temp...
*shameface*

And thanks for the congrats!

[mrs.jacinthe]

LOL at your swim recap! It reminds me of the kids' tri I volunteer for. The littles (AG 5-6) can walk their entire swim leg and there's still some who panic and cry and need a volunteer to hold their hand and walk beside them. I think it's the cutest thing ever.

[wawa]

Sept 29, 2016 8:36:56 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

LOL at your swim recap! It reminds me of the kids' tri I volunteer for. The littles (AG 5-6) can walk their entire swim leg and there's still some who panic and cry and need a volunteer to hold their hand and walk beside them. I think it's the cutest thing ever.

Apparently MH overheard somebody in a kayak talking to one of the swimmers who appeared to be struggling saying, "Do you need help?  You know you can just stand up, right?"