Tri Miami Race Report 05-20-12

Race Report:

So, on Sunday, May 20^th I completed my first Olympic Triathlon and I felt defeated. I finished it alright, but I felt defeated, and I’m really not happy with my performance. Overall, it was a PR because it’s a new distance for me, but I had thought it was going to take me approximately 3:20 and it took me 3:32 to finish.

Saturday Morning I did a mini shake out brick just to make sure everything was functioning just fine. I swam for about 20-25 minutes in the ocean with Amy (best training partner EVER!) and she took some crazy photos of me while swimming, did a mini 20 minute bike workout, and 15 minute run. Took a much needed nap that afternoon and picked up my dad in the afternoon. I was excited since this was the very first race he was ever going to see. And he was going to see us in a triathlon which are super exciting!

The night before I did some nice carb loading at Anthony’s Pizza with my dad and Chris. I had some yummy Ricotta and Mushroom Pizza, a glass of white wine to calm the nerves, and tons of water. I had been extremely nervous about this distance because it was a new distance for me. I knew I had to do it if my ultimate goal is IM Cozumel. My nerves affect my stomach so the two days prior to the race my stomach was a ball of nerves. My new bike did distract me tons. Friday night I had taper madness (Why I don’t know since I only get taper madness when I run a full marathon) and my left knee sorry right knee was hurting me a lot. I guess it was all in my mind because Saturday morning my knee pain had completely disappeared.

Coach Frank had sent me an email of what do with nutrition since this is another area that I struggle with: He had told me to do three gels (one before swim, one 15 minutes after bike, one before run) and 2 bottles of Caloric Drink  (one on the bike course) and one on the run. I accidentally forgot to put two scoops on each bottle and only put one so I was 250 calories deficient or one bottle infinit nutrition. I didn't realize this until I was 1/2 way done with my bike.

Sunday Morning:

Woke up at 415 had my oatmeal, banana, a was light on the coffee (thanks Amy), made myCaloric Drink woke up dad, changed, and Chris came at 450 to pick us up. Got to transition, got body marked, set up our transition area for the race (Chris and I were right next to each other) which gave me extra comfort!

I took a group picture with the Hammies then took off for my swim. I was 3rd and last wave of the Olympic Distance and had to be in the water swimming by 7:11. Luckily, I had my dad the best photographer taking all the pics and cheering us on! Chris was also able to give wish me good luck before he took off for his Sprint Swim Start.

This was actually before the swim. I had just finished my Honey Stinger a few minutes before my swim. It did feel a little weird to have a gel prior to exercise. I went into the water to make sure the temps were okay. Water was murky and really gross. Ewww. Luckily I had my lotion against jelly fish/ocean critters all over me! And it has SPF so that's an extra bonus!

My swim distance was 0.9mile or 1.5km. It was and out and back swim. I told myself to not panic and just go with the flow. I had done an OWS that previous morning with Amy and she helped calm a lot of my nerves. I had a lot of space because this was a small race and 75% of the athletes were doing the Sprint Distance. I swam and my anxiety remained pretty calm since I knew it was going to be a long swim.

My dad was able to capture another picture of getting out of the water:

Swim was done in 44:43 not sure how that time is but I wanted to do it under 45 minutes so I'll take it. T1 was quick, had another Honey Stinger on the bike and my Caloric Drink on the bike. I still thought I had done my mix with two scoops. I start riding and  my speed is S-L-O-W. Turtle Slow. There was wind by Bear Cut Bridge and I knew it was going to be a tough bike ride doing the Key Biscayne Bridge 4 times with that amount of wind. Okay so it's really the only hill that we have, but when you're used to training in pancake flat Miami, doing the bridge 4 times sort of threw me off guard. I thought I could maintain a speed of at least 17.5 with the bridges (I was considering at least 18-19) without the bridges and was very disapointed when my bike time came in for the 40 km. (24.9 miles) of 16.9. That had me crushed and had me very upset. I've missed a couple of Long Bike Ride Sunday's and it was proof in my time. T2 was easy. Swapped shoes, put on sneakers. Grabbed another gel and another Caloric Drink and Honey Stinger.

I knew that the run was going to be brutal. It was blazing hot. No shade. Next to the ocean. And I had to run a 10k. I did the first lap (saw my dad and Chris and a couple of hammies that were cheering me on!) one more lap to go. I did the visualization technique and pretended that I was running in 50 degree weather with dry socks, and with a great breeze. Yeah.

I had a volunteer pour cold water all over me and it got on my socks and feet. My blisters this morning are not happy. I knew the run would be a struggle and my goal was just to finish it. I manage to finish it in 1:14 which is a 12 mm which is slow but running at 930am after having biked is going to be hard regardless. Thankfully a volunteer was able to give me a pouch of Energy Gels b/c I was totally lacking in the nutrition department thanks to making my Caloric Drink with 1/2 the calories.

This is me at the finish line:

My total time was 3:32
First Oly Tri so automatic PR even though sad about time.
I need to bike more, work more on nutrition, and be more consistent with training. I missed crucial bike workouts on the weekend (3 in a row) which is why my bike time was probably really weak.
I want to do one swap one pool swim during the week for OWS as well.
I also have reason to get faster... My Quintana Roo better get me faster as I will be embarassed to be riding a 16.9 speed on that fancy Rolls Royce of a bike....

Next race: 70.3 Motivation Heat Man June 2nd..