topeka tinman triathlon
6.16.2007
300 yard swim/ 8.24 mile bike/ 3.1 mile run
pre-race
Wake time – 5:00am. Ate a bagel w/peanut butter, drank coffee and water. Gathered gear and headed out around 5:30am. Thankfully, we had driven to the course Friday night, ‘cause it wasn’t that easy to find. Arrived at the race (meeting up with friends), pumped up the tires and headed to chip pick up/body marking. The lines were long, but moving fairly fast. My race didn’t start for an hour after the first races (Long course tri & duathlon), so I had to monitor my pre-race activities so as not to be ready too early.
I set up transition (a little too close to the lake…would’ve preferred to be closer to the exit). Transition was on the grass and, of course, on a fairly steep slope.
They asked us to leave the transition area when the long course racers started (7:30am), and we weren’t allowed back in until 8. Hmmm…hadn’t done that before, so I had to figure out what I needed with me during that time. I grabbed my Gatorade and a granola bar and stepped out of there.
Back in transition at 8am…picked up my cap and goggles, another few sips of Gatorade, one more glance at my transition area, and I was headed for the lake.
swim – 7:28
I walked down to the boat ramp a little after 8, they were doing a pre-race talk. I realized as I stood down there waiting for the course talk, that I hadn’t grabbed my "fuel". I thought about it and just decided to go without. I figured if I needed something I would just grab it on the bike. So, the course talk? – honestly, they should’ve saved the energy, ‘cause it made no sense to those of us who hadn’t done that race in the past. They kept referencing "same as last year"…riiiiight, that’s helpful. Anyway, by the time they let us head into the water, we had 20 seconds till the gun. Eeeks. I barely got my goggles on and they were blowing the horn. Our heat was huge! It was the largest heat I’d been in, and I’m hoping never to be in one that large again. I was thinking with this sprint tri being such short distances that there would be lots of fast folks, going for the PR – I don’t think that was the case. Once we started swimming, it seemed pretty obvious that there were quite a few newbies out there. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great having more gals out there doing the tri – just not so great when you’re stuck behind them in the water. I kept running into people. Finally, I went to the inside of the buoys (technically, shouldn’t do that) – it was the only place I could actually swim. Anyway, I made pretty good time to the turn and then there was the issue of my fogged up goggles and the sunshine. Oooops. I really must find some goggles that don’t fog up.
The second part of the swim went pretty well, until I got water in one side of my goggles – the other still fogged up – I started running into folks again. Finally, with about 50 yards to go, I ripped my goggles off and stuck them on my cap and breast stroked it in.
t1 – 1:28
I was fairly quick getting to my bike (since it was so close to the lake), and I didn’t wear a wetsuit since the swim was so short, so my transition was pretty smooth – I put the shoes on, grabbed my helmet, glasses and a gu, and out the bike exit I went – I was off.
bike – 24:13:00 (20.4 mph)
Once on the bike, I felt a bit renewed (I just LOVE riding!). This course was kinda rolling hills – not really any big descents like we got at Heritage Park, but it was good. I just tried to remember to drink. I did not, however, eat the gel. I just couldn’t do it. I just settled in and was feeling really good. This will sound a little arrogant, but it’s not meant to be at all – I like to kinda keep tabs on any folks passing me…I think one guy passed me, and that was only after I had come up next to him. It’s always funny when they do the double take – it’s almost as if they’re saying to themselves, "oh shoot, this chick is passing me, I better get busy." No worries – I like to encourage people when I’m out there (so long as it’s not a gal in my age group…ha ha), so if I’m what it takes to give them that push…that’s cool.
I came in strong from the bike, but had to slow considerably for the last stretch, ‘cause it was somewhat narrow, not clearly marked, and folks were riding right in the middle of the route.
t2 – 1:39
This was fun ‘cause my friends who had done the Du were there to cheer for me. I jumped off my bike and quickly stopped to the side and took off my shoes. It was much easier running down the grass in my bare feet. Again, a pretty quick transition for me – my legs were a bit wobbly as I ran up the grassy hill and out the run exit. Again, friends were there to cheer, so that was very helpful!
run – 31:25
Well, I didn’t break any records on this run, but there were some hills. J I opted to try this run without socks, but a little less than a mile in, I could really feel a burn against the orthodics and my flesh. I knew there were some good blisters working up, so I opted to stop to the side and take the orthodics out of my shoes. I shoved them in the back of my tri tank and continued to run. (side note – folks may say that you don’t really need orthos for such a short run, but I’ve had surgery on both of my feet, and really do need them)
I felt pretty good on the run, but it was really heating up. There was a little consolation when these very fit looking men would pass me and they were breathing very heavily. The air was thick! Again though, I felt pretty good. I just kept plugging along. I took advantage of the downhills and ran a little faster. Every water station I grabbed two cups of water – one went down my throat, and the other went over my head, neck, back. That helped!
I know I conserved a bit, ‘cause as I came into the finishing stretch (where Terry and Jen were cheering heartily – thank you!), I was running very strong and fast. It’s nice to have a strong finish, but it also makes me question, "should I have gone a little harder at this place, or this one…?"
overall – 1:06:11
Overall Place: 142 of 298
Place in Gender: 35 of 115
Place in Division F3539: 3 of 18
So, this was a good race overall – much better than Heritage Park. I race again next weekend, so we’ll see how that one goes. The swim on that is almost ½ mile, so I hope there aren’t any issues. J
I’m pleased with the results (listed above in bold) for my first Tinman, and – if I do this one again next year – I know a few things I can do better next time around!
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