Even though the race is Sunday this one requires you to check
in Saturday as well as drop off your bike and “Transition 2” stuff. Before I headed down to Chula Vista I got in a
nice easy 30 minutes on my bike- just to stretch out the legs. After my quick ride I headed solo to check in.
Normally Brennan does these things with me- however Saturday is when he likes
to get in his long bike ride. I did not want him to feel rushed or not get in
the training he needed- so away I went! After a quick detour (reading the map
and driving- not a great idea) I made it to the Bike shop where check in
was. Since this race is a point to
point meaning you start in one place and end nowhere near there you have to
check your Transition 2 bag (what you will need for the run portion of the
race) off with them. It will then be
waiting for you race day when you get off the bike. I got my number, free tee
shirt, asked a few questions. Not the
most organized event. After getting
checked in and dropping off my T2 bag- I had to head down to the bay where the
swim and transition to the bike would take place.
After driving another few miles and finding the correct area. I found a place to part they were having a
Pow Wow making things more difficult. Brennan asked like a real Pow Wow- yes with individuals with Indian decent. Looked interesting. After parking
I got my bike out and headed to set it up. Once I got my bike set up I wanted to do a quick swim in the bay. The
guy watching the bikes gave me a few pointers to stay out of the way of boats
(always helpful). Then I changed since
the water was so warm I decided against the wet suit. Got in a quick 20 minute open water swim. Even about 100 yards off shore I could have
stood up. It was very shallow was well
as rocky. Remember that I noticed the
rocks on Saturday.
After my quick swim I headed home to relax and finish packing
up. I would head to bed nice and early
since we would be getting up at 4:30 to get down to the start line. My wave was scheduled to go off at
6:58am. After getting up early we made
the 30 mile drive to the race start. I
headed into transition to get everything set up. Well not sure if it was me or
the bike. But when I went to pump up my tires I noticed the tube in my front tires
was all bent. Thus my tire was flat! There was a quick panic. I tried to fix the
problem but I will be honest Brennan is my bike mechanic. I rushed over to the side to tell him. He snuck
into the transition area and in less than 10 minutes had my tire fixed and both
pumped up. Disaster averted. Thank you
Brennan. While he was doing that I got
marked with my number. Set up my water bottles and my transition area. Got my sun block on. Then felt safe enough to leave transition.
I headed to the restroom because like every racer I get nervous. I headed to the lovely long bathroom
line.You could tell we were not in the
best area because there were no stall doors. Needless to say ladies do not really like that. However it also made for some laughs! After
hitting the bathroom I headed over to Brennan. Check out the course- make my last few preparations. With about 15 minutes till go time I wanted
to test out my tri kit make sure it would work for swimming since I was going
without the wetsuit. I headed into the
water. It was nice and warm. No
WETSUIT! Swam about 500 yards or so to
warm up. Then headed to shore to
wait. When I got back I ran into the Maloney
family there youngest son Ryan is part of Insulindependence and I swim with him
once a week. We got a quick
picture. Then it was time to get ready
for what I hoped would be a good quick day.
I would line up with woman from 25-40 age group. Seems not a lot of women racing. No worries I headed to the front of the group. The announcer made a point not to run because
of rocks. I laughed thinking this is a
race are you serious?! The bull horn sounded and I was off. I ran from the start got into the water and
tried to find a rhythm. There were two
other woman who went out very fast. They
got away from me a bit after the first buoy. I was feeling pretty good though- quickly gained on the 3 minute group
ahead of me. By the turn around point
the next buoy was directly into the sun. This caused a little trouble for spotting it. Once I rounded that buoy you went parallel to
shore and around one more buoy. Well at
this point my cap was really starting to slide off my head. I just tried to
keep pulling it down. At this point I
had caught another wave from before me. This always annoys me cause they are swimming all over and slow. Making that you have to do a little defensive
swimming. The last buoy was hard to see
and seemed to cause many people an issue. I finally spotted it thanks to a lifeguard. Turn the corner and in I went to shore. With
it being so shallow I did a little dolphininig. Then went for the run. Well those
rocks I found one. Full sprint dead on
the bottom of my foot. At the time I
remember thinking damn that hurt. But whatever! 
Into transition. Brennan made fun of me for this last year. My goal was to be fast. Into my socks, shoes, sunglasses, watch, helmet. Quick wipe off the skin and I was off running with my bike. I had a little trouble clipping in. Once into my bike I was off for 24 miles. The races before the first few miles kinda suck. Your not used to being on the bike your heart is racing and your wet! I just wanted to get a rhythm. The first few miles went better than normal. However this course requires you to climb the entire way. My plan was to ride hard and controlled. Making sure to get water and food. As I rode I was not getting passed nearly as often. Though the people that did pass me- makes me think what am I doing so wrong. They make it look easy.
Upon entering the parking lot for transition a guy on a bull horn is yelling your number. But what I heard was my amazing fiancé yelling for me! It is what you need after 24 long miles – hear someone cheering for you. I was off the bike and running in and a nice kid takes your bike to rack it. Another kid runs along with you to a chair. Gets your shoes out for you. As I get all my cycling stuff off he puts it into the bag for you. I was off. Entire change in 21 seconds, down from 42 last year. Success!
Quick transition another yell from Brennan and I was off. It was already super-hot and I was mad I did not put a water bottle in my Transition 2 bag. No matter I needed to get in 6 miles. Very quickly I noticed my foot was hurting. I thought it was just cramped or something I had totally forgotten about that rock getting out of the swim. At the first aid station I learned they had crap cups and I got no water down! Not a good sign. Just tried to focus on running. I ended up going about the same pace as this guy Ryan. We worked together for the next two miles. I wanted to hold a good pace and he was at it. Plus suffering is a little easier with another person. After two miles into the run he had more to give them me. Then I went back into my mode of focusing that I was moving toward the finish line. There were a lot of people walking. I was trying at all cost to avoid that.
At mile 2.5 you enter the Olympic Training Center. Which is pretty cool except it is really
hilly. This course loves themselves some
hills. Many people were walking the
hills- I focused on pumping my arms and moving forward. I took in some chews and headed for the next
water station. At this station I walked
it. Got two cups of water one to drink, one to half drink and poor the rest on
myself. At this point I was sweating out
nasty ocean water and it was burning my eyes.
After walking for 5 steps I was back to running. Trying to keep my focused finished the hilly
portion. Walked 5 steps through another
aid station. Then to exit the Olympic
Training Center you have to run up about 25 steps. At this point in the race I was not in the
mood for stairs. I am sure I said something not appropriate for a blog. However it made the guy behind me laugh.
I was out of the Olympic Training center and I had a little
over a mile to go. I was pushing at this point.
I was still passing people and so many were walking. I have such a
competitive spirit and no quit attitude thanks to my parents that I knew I
could push through. As I turned for the
finish line which was what seemed like forever away all these people start to
cheer for you. Many saying I was looking
great. I laughed at one woman who told me that said glad you think I look
good. Cause it doesn’t feel good! I felt like I finished strong through the
finisher shot. Again to my amazing fiancé
Brennan cheering. Nothing like having
him great you at the finish. I could see
how proud of me he was and that is priceless.
Overall it was a good race.
I bettered my overall time from the previous year by about 10
minutes. I was a little slower in the
swim. My transitions were way faster, my bike much improved by about 10 minutes,
then my run was about a minute and half faster than the previous year. I won my age group! And if you get something
for that I did not! I was the 100th
individual overall and the 18th woman. Not to bad for only my third race. As Brennan reminds me if I stay training (I have
a tendancy to take little vacations!) then I will only get better.
When I got home and my foot was still hurting and I was not
sure why I took off my shoe to find a very dark bruise the shape of a
rock. After 4 days it still hurts! Woops! I guess maybe next time I wont
actually run during a race. Haha who am
I kidding running was totally worth it!
Thanks to Brennan for getting up early- driving all over- cheering for me. Most of all believing that I could be ok at this triathlon thing!
2011 Results
I loved this! Thanks for sharing and congrats on a great race! You're making me want to get back into triathlons again!
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