1st Annual Hartford Women's Triathlon

Hello all, today was a brisk 40' when I ventured out to my car to warm it up so my then sleeping children wouldn't have to sit on cold leather seats only being half awake!! I was so nervous about this tri! We made the trip in no time and did not get lost. I set up my transition area quickly and found my friends. We were all excited and nervous.

My friend, Farrah, and I were in the first wave, jumping in to 70' water at 8am! The water felt great actually. I on the other hand, felt a little panicky. My last two lake swims sucked and this one was starting out pretty shitty. BUT I used my strong will and perservered! I just told myself to slow down and I would probably get there quicker. Which for the water, I think it might be true! I slowed down and just plugged along and ate a LOT of humble pie. I was passed by about 15 people that were in the second wave!! It totally sucked, but my goal was to get my ass out of the water and I did in about 16 minutes. That was my time for a half mile in the last tri, so I guess my strategy worked.

I saw my kids when I got out of the water and they were so excited to cheer for me, it gave me the surge I needed. My legs were rubbery and I was a little dizzy. Getting that damn wetsuit off took some effort too!! I got to my transition area and was disoriented. I somehow managed to get my socks and bike shoes on and headed out to the course.

The bike route was cut down to 10 miles due to road construction and it was mad flat. I don't know what I averaged yet. The results are not posted and I forgot to reset my little thingy. But I was keeping probably a 17 mph. This tri was much more competitive that the Danskin Tri I did in July. I was keeping between 17-18 mph and I got passed by about 5 women!! I passed more, but still... wow. I like the competitiveness, it pushes me to go harder. I was finished with the swim-t1-bike at 55 minutes.

My transition to the run was also pretty silly. My ASS was FROZEN, after riding in wet shorts at 17ish mph, my cheeks were pretty jello-y. When I got off my bike, it just felt like my bottom half was not attached to my top and I could not get it to move the way I wanted. Somehow I reracked my bike, but no thanks to the chick that threw her gigantic bag in my bike slot. I quickly threw her bag, racked my bike and threw on my sneaks.

The run was all trails. I was running along in sort of fog, not a "zone" like I would have prefered! I have been suffering from allergies and my eyes watered the whole 3.1miles. I passed my friend Farrah early in the run and she looked great. As I was running along, I realized that I had just run on these trails last week with my friend, Chris. That made me happy and I just plugged along. I finished very strong, it was a downhill finish at 1:24. I was happy with that time.

I can't really compare my two tris since the first one was a shorter run and the second one was a shorter bike. I think the swim laps were the same, they felt the same anyway. My transition times were longer since I wore my bike shoes this tri. I feel sad that the tri season is over for me. The weather is too cold. Today was pushing it really. I am already trying to figure out my tri goals for next year. One major skill I plan to work on this winter is my swim stroke and getting my comfortable and effecient.

Now on to training for a marathon in Memphis, Tenn on December 1, 2007. Five chickas and I are bringing our "girl power" down south to conquer the distance!!! I can't wait!!! I am totally loving being single and making my own decisions. I can't believe I waited this long to grow up and take control of my life!!