Sunday, October 20, 2013

The 2013 Athleta Iron Girl Race Recap Part 2: the part where I actually race.

If you missed the lead in to this race, check here.

I was hoping my new plan of starting at the left side of the swim wave would keep me out of the washing machine and away from slower swimmers.   It may have worked if I hadn't been sidetracked by other issues.

Issue #1:

I "drank" from the lake several times.


Issue #2:
No matter how much I swam, that second buoy never got any closer.


I really need to work on my upper body strength so this doesn't keep happening.

Issue #3:
As I rounded the third buoy I got a solid clonk on the head.


She was super apologetic though and we kept swimming.

After the swim I went through T1 agonizingly slowly and started biking.

I felt really good.  Being on a familiar course was helpful, and I was glad that I had made progress on my cycling skills compared to years past!

OLD ME:


NEW ME!


I got to the turnaround where I almost did not actually make the turn.


I should really work on that.

On the way back I still felt good, but rode my brakes pretty hard on the narrow, steep turn-off of the expressway.  The girl behind me was a little annoyed.


I guess New Me still has some work to do.

The run was good.  Nothing scary/exciting happened and I managed to keep my pace just under 9 minute miles.  I hustled to the finish line to claim my wonderful finisher's medal.


I found Christy, who had already finished, gone home, showered, and grabbed some post-race food.


I high-tailed it to the food tent and got some delicious wraps, some Chobani yogurt, and, of course, coffee!  But, as I was drinking said coffee I felt something touch my lip.



So, I guess that made up for the lack of "exciting" moments during the race.

I love this course and will probably do this race again.  Athleta/Iron Girl was very organized, had great swag (hello Athleta t-shirt!), and had phenomenal course support.  And thanks to fellow FitFluential ambassador Axel, I found out that Meghann is from FitFluential too! How did I not know that??

Also, somehow I managed to shave 5 minutes off my swim from 2011, giving me a 5 minute PR!!


That said, the Athleta Iron Girl gets my official seal of approval.


So, who's joining me next year?

I joined the lovely people at Yeah Write again this week! Check out the great writing submissions by clicking the button!



UPCOMING POSTS:  5K RECAP, TRAINING RUNS, MARATHON RECAP

46 comments:

  1. As usual thanks for the laugh. Guess you still have 'work' to do. What was in your coffee doesn't look pretty.

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  2. Why is Christy shaped like a woman, and you're shaped like a sack of potatoes??? You are not shaped like that in real life!!!!

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    1. Thank you for saying that Becky. I do think I am shaped that way though :)

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  3. I read your previous years' blog posts about Danskin, which helped me wrap my head around what to expect. This was my first all women's tri, and I loved it! I was right on with my bike and swim, just didn't run well at all. You might even call those 13 minute miles more of a shuffle, though I swear I didn't walk! Great pictures!

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    1. I'm glad those posts helped prepare you and didn't make you run away screaming! I'm glad you loved the race!

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  4. As always, love your posts. Congrats on your race!

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  5. Sounds like an awesome race. Would be great to do one like that next year, but it might be a tad far away ;) Just have to put up with the soggy UK races ;)
    Great effort! Well done :)

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    1. Thanks trinixie. It was a great race, and we have lots of soggy races here too :) They do keep you from getting overheated, right?

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  6. The unspoken rule of swimming is that if a person bonks your head, you are within your legal right to temporarily drown that person. Not completely, just a little, just enough so that person requires some CPR. That's all.
    Good job shaving time off your swim and from turning your bicycle frown upside down.

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    1. Ha! I'll try to remember that for next time, though I will have to build my upper body strength.

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  7. girl you know I LOVE YOUR BLOG--now join you? HELLS NO :-)
    but Id cheer you one..

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  8. Congrats on the PR!! That medal looks sweeeeeeet!! Also lake water, ick. Bleh. No.

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    1. Thanks Gia! Yeah, it is a really cool medal. I know, lake water can be gross. Especially this race. But you just power through.

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  9. Every time I read one of you tri recaps I think I should sign up for one. But then I remember that I would have to ride a bike and I chicken out totally.

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    1. I hear ya. I really need to work on my bike skills, but it means spending more time on the bike. (Also, it's a hassle getting my bike in and out of my car, because I have to take it apart.) But really, you could do this.

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  10. Is that a BEE in your coffee?!?!?!?!

    Also, new bike? Did you get rid of your road bike and go for a hybrid?

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    1. Yes it is! Crazy, right?? The bike is a couple of years old. I used the road bike for about 2years, but it really was too big for me and I couldn't always brake completely. Once I realized it was the bike, and not just my klutziness, I got a hybrid :)

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  11. Great job! I will not be doing another tri for a while since the 1st one I did last year almost gave me a nervous breakdown;) But I will live vicariously through your stories and pics:)

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    1. I think you did the Danskin, right? And did really well, as I recall! But not worth nervous breakdowns, so I am happy to let you read about my races :D

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  12. I feel so lazy! ;) You rock!!!!! Congrats! I love the pics & the curly hair - someone that understands my hair!

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  13. Congratulations! This made me smile (except for the yellow jacket in the coffee part).

    Karen

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    1. Thanks Karen--yeah I could have done without the wasp in the coffee!

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  14. Wow! Sounds tough...I'm not sure I would get through it all, with this lazy writer's body! Congrats.

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    1. You'd be amazed and inspired. People of all shapes and sizes complete these races--you could do it!

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  15. fabulously entertaining, as always. my sis in law runs mini iron men... it's not for sissies. go you!

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    1. Thanks :) What is a mini ironman? Like a half ironman?

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  16. This is so funny. I love your drawing where the girl bonks you on the head. You always crack me up. I've never done a triathalon. I used to run all the time and due to some health issues have been unable to for about 6 months. It hurts me to my bones.

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    1. Thanks so much. Oh, the agony of not being able to run. I hope you can do so again soon.

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  17. You are a boss and a champion! :)
    And I'd have blown a gasket at seeing something like that in my coffee.

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    1. Yeah, that was not cool. Needless to say, I got a new cup of coffee.

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  18. congratulations on not ingesting the hornet and for improving your time and surviving an underwater concussion... You are amazing to take part in this kind of event! More power to you!

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    1. Thank you. Who knew sports had so many unexpected hazards??

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  19. Holy moly, I'd take the lake water over the questionable coffee any day! ;) Congrats on a job well done!

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  20. I'm so crazy far behind in commenting :( Sorry!
    I love this, as usual, although others are right that you are not shaped like a sack of potatoes!!!
    Would love to join you next year but I don't think it's in the cards for me and baby Seymour - but we'll be cheering you on!!

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  21. I've done exactly two tris. They're hard! Congrats on the PR and thanks for the funread!

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  22. I've been being coaxed into a tri next. I suck at swimming though lol. I can't find your marathon recap please send it to me, kthanksbye ;)

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    1. Yay! I do too. Don't worry; my secret swimming accessory is a wetsuit--it's warm and floaty! I'm still working on my marathon recap...you'll probably have yours up before me :P

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