This was my second year racing the Cary Long-Course Duathlon. I started off the run feeling fresh and settled in to a good pace. I ended up with a nice split of 32 min. for the first 5 mile leg in second place behind just turned pro Anne Basso.
The bike started smooth and I felt strong. Alicia Parr passed me on the bike but I kept an eye on her to try and catch her on the second run. At mile 28, things took a turn for the worse. A volunteer on the race course left their spot and about 20 riders – including myself - missed a turn and got off course. After riding a couple of miles, we all realized that we were a bit lost and turned around. We added about 4 extra miles on the bike but finally made our way back to transition.
A few of our ‘lost pack’ dropped out of the race but I figured I’d get the workout in and finish the event. Ran through t he last 5 mile run and ended up with a 3rd overall female place.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
MAP Sprint Triathlon
So sprints are not really my thing. I did MAP this year because of the great cause and to get good practice for upcoming races. I enjoyed some good laughs with fellow teammates Kristin Villopoto, Stacey Richardson, Jackie Miller, Wade Laufenberg, Ken Younts, Tom Clifford and Nasrin Azari before the race.
Fumbled through the swim and then started the bike. From the get-go, I felt like I was riding in to a very strong headwind or riding through a big mud puddle. Had on a heart-rate monitor that day and noticed that my heart-rate was very high but my bike speed was very low. Saw my competitors and everyone else pass me despite hard efforts. Mmmmm…..
At about mile 12 on the bike, my ride started to feel a bit bumpy. Put-putted in to transition and realized that I had a flat tire. I would later learn from a bike mechanic that I had a slow leak in my tire, explaining the feeling of riding through mud through-out most of the bike today.
No podium for me but a fun day with my teammates.
Fumbled through the swim and then started the bike. From the get-go, I felt like I was riding in to a very strong headwind or riding through a big mud puddle. Had on a heart-rate monitor that day and noticed that my heart-rate was very high but my bike speed was very low. Saw my competitors and everyone else pass me despite hard efforts. Mmmmm…..
At about mile 12 on the bike, my ride started to feel a bit bumpy. Put-putted in to transition and realized that I had a flat tire. I would later learn from a bike mechanic that I had a slow leak in my tire, explaining the feeling of riding through mud through-out most of the bike today.
No podium for me but a fun day with my teammates.
USAT Long Course Duathlon Nationals
After a relatively mild spring, I was not ready for the 90 degree heat that descended upon Richmond, VA just in time for the USAT Long Course Duathlon Nationals. As I found myself running for shade and chugging water during packet pick-up, I knew the race might not be pleasant.
The race was broken up in to age groups. My wave - the 40-44 year old women - did not start until 9:30 a.m. It was already quite hot when we began our 10K run. The women took off and the lead group was doing a sub 6 minute pace for the first mile. I held back and hoped folks would drop off from this pace. Lucky for me, the group slowed things down and I was able to pass quite a few people and end up in 2nd place at the end of the 10K.
The bike was a three loop 38K course. The first two loops went well despite the technical nature of the course (and I’m not a technical rider). The heat was really starting to build at this point and my aero helmet seemed very hot. I ran out of water and couldn’t find a water stop on the course. At that point I made the decision to slow down a bit to try and avoid a trip to the medical tent.
The last run was a blur. I was so hot and miserable but somehow ended up running a zippy fast (for me) 3 mile time of 18:20. Ended up fifth in my age group and got a slot to Long Course Worlds in September. Overall a good, but hot, day at the races.
The race was broken up in to age groups. My wave - the 40-44 year old women - did not start until 9:30 a.m. It was already quite hot when we began our 10K run. The women took off and the lead group was doing a sub 6 minute pace for the first mile. I held back and hoped folks would drop off from this pace. Lucky for me, the group slowed things down and I was able to pass quite a few people and end up in 2nd place at the end of the 10K.
The bike was a three loop 38K course. The first two loops went well despite the technical nature of the course (and I’m not a technical rider). The heat was really starting to build at this point and my aero helmet seemed very hot. I ran out of water and couldn’t find a water stop on the course. At that point I made the decision to slow down a bit to try and avoid a trip to the medical tent.
The last run was a blur. I was so hot and miserable but somehow ended up running a zippy fast (for me) 3 mile time of 18:20. Ended up fifth in my age group and got a slot to Long Course Worlds in September. Overall a good, but hot, day at the races.
White Lake I
Only six days after racing the long course duathlon nationals in Richmond, VA, I was dreading the start of the White Lake Half Ironman on May 2nd. Why had I signed up for these races so close together? Three days after the duathlon, I was still hobbling and walking down the stairs one step at a time. I was also on antibiotics trying to recover from a sinus infection. Could I really race and complete a half-ironman? We’d find out!!
After sharing some laughs with teammate Jeanna Chain prior to the start, I started my swim. No records were broken but I made it through the swim without coughing. Felt good on the bike until I hit some headwinds on route 210. Fought the wind most of 210 and part of 53. Definitely felt the effects of my race 6 days before on my legs but muddled through it.
Lucky for me, the sky was cloudy during most of my run. I settled in to a steady 7:20ish pace and just tried to hold on. I ended up with a half-marathon run time of 1:36:50 and an overall half-ironman time of 5:01. This earned me first place masters open female and a 6th female overall spot. I was happy to stay out of the medic tent and am looking forward to some R&R before Eagleman in June.
After sharing some laughs with teammate Jeanna Chain prior to the start, I started my swim. No records were broken but I made it through the swim without coughing. Felt good on the bike until I hit some headwinds on route 210. Fought the wind most of 210 and part of 53. Definitely felt the effects of my race 6 days before on my legs but muddled through it.
Lucky for me, the sky was cloudy during most of my run. I settled in to a steady 7:20ish pace and just tried to hold on. I ended up with a half-marathon run time of 1:36:50 and an overall half-ironman time of 5:01. This earned me first place masters open female and a 6th female overall spot. I was happy to stay out of the medic tent and am looking forward to some R&R before Eagleman in June.
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