One step forward, Two steps back

Spring Sprint 2014

My group and I participated in the Spring Sprint in Mission Bay, San Diego last weekend. I don't know how to describe my performance at this last competition, I am happy that I completed the race. I knew that my legs didn't have any spring in them at the running portion of the race, but I have been training for a few months now and I felt like I should have improved over the last time I competed on this course. Maybe they changed the course and it wasn't all about me.

At this race, the group arrived super early, the transition area wasn't even open when we parked. I opted to just stay in the car until the line of bikes dissipated. We got our transition areas situated. No fighting over spaces on the rack this time, thank goodness. The super competitive people must have been going to half IM and IM races. Then we hung out for an hour. I didn't get to drink my smoothie. The top wasn't secure and I spilled half of it right under the rack, it kind of ruined my appetite and then there was smoothie all over my hands and the ground. We covered it with a plastic bag so that others could place their things on top of it. I am not sure why it spilled there, because it wasn't really near my bike and I wasn't moving my stuff at that stage in the game. This could be the key to my poor performance, I didn't really have much breakfast.

I ate a banana right before they closed the transition area off to all competitors. The swim was pretty non-eventful, for once, until I got out of the water. I felt like I couldn't see well, but I ignored it this time trying to focus on swimming while I was in the water. I was actually with my group when we exited to transition. That was a first for me and it felt good. Unfortunately the whole way I was hitting another woman and when she moved to my other side, I still continued to hit her. We must have been swimming exactly the same pace, she couldn't pass me and I couldn't pass her. When I got out of the water, I realized that I couldn't see out of my right eye. I stayed calm. I got to transition and looked in my goggles. My contact was in there. This time I didn't fool around with my goggles at all, so there was a chance that it wasn't lost. I put my contact back in, ate a gel and went about my business. My transition time was terrible. One of the worst times in the race, but at least I could see.

I started the bike thinking that I had a flat tire. I was so angry. It turned out that I didn't have a flat, I just worried about it the whole way. The bike portion was only 10 miles, so I just kept hoping that I would make it through. I took one quick drink during the bike and someone passed me that shouldn't have, so I didn't take any more drinks. That could have been another mistake. I'm not sure.

I made it back to T2 and quickly changed into my shoes. That transition was much better. One of the best ones in my wave. I started running and my legs felt tired. I only took a quick sip of my drink this time. I didn't take a gel like I should have, probably another mistake. I tried to run as fast as I could, but I knew it wasn't fast but I focussed on passing people the whole way, as usual. I had no idea how fast I was going since I don't wear a watch. That's something else I need to change. I will get a watch for my birthday, even if I have to get it for myself.

Courtesy of Limugirl

At the end of the run, I sprinted the last 100 meters. It felt good and I had a lot of support that day, including all of the Herev people. It was my first time wearing the Tri kit and it felt good. The firefighter was there along with his sister, her husband and a close friend of mine came to cheer me on. We went to brunch, I took a long nap and we had a great afternoon.

Post Race Smiles

Overall, I can't be overly happy with my time. There were plenty of people with slower bikes and runs that beat me because of the long first transition. I am pledging to go to masters swim twice a week to work on my swimming and I need to do a little more running practice. I am in decent shape on the bike. My next goal is to be in the top half of my age group. I missed it by 2 spots this time. So close...
The next race on the schedule is the San Diego International on June 29. I have 8 weeks to train for that. More running and swimming for me.

Lessons learned: Nutrition is important before and during the race, don't mess with the goggles too much, and get a watch.