2012 Tri for Sight Race Report

Tri for Sight was my first triathlon in 2009.   This year I hemmed & hawed about signing up.  I contemplated doing the Du this year instead of the Tri.  I was a little concerned since I hadn't been swimming or biking but once every week to 10 days.  My running has been very consistent though.  The past couple of weeks I did a few straight 1200 yard + swims so I felt confident I was still in shape to swim 800 meters.  So finally last Sunday I signed up for the Tri.

Tri for Sight is a 800m Swim, 19 mile Bike, 4 mile Run

All month the weather has been warm, ~60s in the morning, 80s in the afternoon.  Like clockwork a cold front came in Saturday night & Sunday morning is was 44 degrees at 5AM.   That is the coldest temperature I have raced in.  I bundled up & headed to the stadium.  We got to transition about 5:45AM.  I had everything set up in about 15 minutes & then passed the time until race start chatting with friends.  Leah is one of my fellow LexRunLadies who was competing in her first tri.   I love being a part of a newbie's first triathlon.  My first triathlon was such a powerful experience that I love watching other folks experience it as well.  When you cross your first finish line it proves to yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to.  So often we are our worst enemies!

Me, Toa & Leah

Mary!  Always so happy!

Me & Kelly

At about 7AM we headed to the pool.  I took off my shoes but left on the sweatshirt & pants.  By the time we got to the pool by feet were so cold!  Fortunately the pool deck was nice & warm.  I submitted my swim time as 22:00 minutes based on my Tom Sawyer time.   That put me at #269 in the pool.  That meant I had a long wait before my swim start.  I didn't mind too bad this year since I knew it would that much warmer when I got out.

This year they started everyone at 15 second intervals instead of the usual 10 second interval.  This made for less traffic in the pool although didn't eliminate it.  The first swimmer started at 7:35 & I finally got in the pool around 8:45 or so.  The first 3 laps were pretty uneventful.   The next 2 or 3 laps were spent swimming side by side with another women.  We were pretty much swimming the same speed & couldn't get away from one another.  Together I think we swam & passed others (sometimes we were 3 across) for at least 2 maybe 3 laps.  It amazes me how far I have come in the pool.  Swimming like this doesn't even phase me anymore.  Before I knew it I was on the 7th lap & heard Coy yelling my name on the pool deck.  The last 2 laps I had clear water & was quickly climbing out of the pool.

Swim Time = 21m01s  - Almost a full minute faster than my estimated time.  This never happens!

I jogged the 1/4 mile to transition.  The sun was up & it really didn't feel too cold.  I wore my BTC Tri kit but brought my wind jacket for the bike since I figured I would freeze on the bike.   I started to put in on but it seemed like I would be too hot so I threw it back on the ground.  I grabbed my bike & headed out of transition.

Steve was working the mount/dismount line

Over all the bike felt great.  I really didn't feel cold except on some of the shady sections but that wasn't even too bad.  My nose was a major snot factory though.

I had my rear derailler replaced last week so I was happy that all my gears worked again.  A couple were still temperamental but for the most part I was happy with how it was riding until.....I dropped the chain.  Grrr.  Second time in the two years of owning the bike.  The last time I dropped the chain?  My last ride.  Darn bike.  I decided to get off & put it back on instead of trying to recover it on the bike.  I was about to start a climb & I really didn't want to have to stop mid climb.  That cost me a minute maybe two.  Better than a flat but still a bummer.

Once back on the bike I couldn't believe how quickly I got back to transition.   Normally I ride the TFS bike course several times over the summer but this year I didn't ride it once.  I rode some parts of it but not the entire course.  It was like a new ride again.   Kinda cool.   As I approached transition I decided I would slip my feet out of my cycling shoes.  Normally I just unclip & do the wobbly walk/jog into transition.  That worked out great.

Bike Time = 1h09m32s

T2 is where I usually excel.  I may come in 9th overall in my age group but I am usually in the top 3 in T2.  Yeah, it may only be one minute of the entire race but hey at least I know it is highly unlikely that I will loose the race because of my T2.

T2 Time = 1m11s - I even walked out of transition & still got first!

Out on the run my legs felt pretty good.  I skipped wearing the watch again so I had no idea what time it was or what my pace was.  I just ran.  I walked a few seconds through both water stops but ran the rest.  As I was coming in to the finish line I felt like I had a great race.  I had no idea what my time was & really didn't care.

Run Time = 40m17s

After I finished I packed up my stuff, changed, grabbed some Clif Builders bars for the finishers & then hung out to watch the rest of the folks finish.    I was so happy to see Leah come in to the finish.  I was so proud of her for persevering & crossing that finish.  TFS is not an easy first time course.  It is a long course swim, a hilly bike & a long run for a sprint triathlon but she did it!

Leah is a Triathlete!  

Me & Leah

I am really glad I signed up.  I can't believe I considered not doing it!  I would have been so bummed if I didn't!

Total Time = 2h17m04s ---> 5m56s PR!!!  Woot!

Happy Fall!