2010 Short Course Triathlon Nationals

Woo!  Woo hoo!  Age group win! Woo hoo!  Top 3 female overall!  Here’s a quick race report.

I made a commitment to myself to not be a slacker on the swim for a change.  I made good on that promise and didn’t really even get a draft.  The other girls at the front just didn’t really get bunched up well and I chose I tighter line on the perpendicular portion of the course across the river.  The results say I was 4th out of the water in my wave and I ran by one in transition, so that sounds about right.  There was a current, but it wasn’t wicked bad or anything.  23 low swim split.  Respectable.

Once I get on the bike, I’m trying to pass as many people as possible.  Starting in the 3rd to last wave, there were plenty of people to pass.  In my head, it doesn’t matter if it’s man or woman, if I can get myself by them, I’m passing.  I was drilling it pretty hard, which may have cost me a little on the run, but who knows.  I seem to be able to run OK even when I ride hard, so it’s a gamble I continue to make with good results.  The first lap had me playing cat and mouse with a couple of 20-something boys.  We were travelling about the same speed, but they were downhill faster and I was uphill a bit faster.  On pass number one zillion I got a suprised, “Dang you ride strong!”  Yes, young man, I am nearly double your age too.  Ha!  Anyway, they lengthened the course a bit this year, so instead of 24 miles, it was a legit 40k.  1:01 something.  Good, quite good, but 3 women outrode me.  Studs!!!

Checking the “live results”, I discovered that I had the virtual overall female lead running out of T2.  So if this race were a swim / bike with a run to the transition exit, I would have won but instead we had to run a hilly 10k.  I wish I could say I felt awesome on the run, but I was feeling some fatigue.  Also, it was getting a little warm out, but I didn’t feel like I was overheating or anything.  I tried to keep myself focused and finish the last couple miles as strong as possible.  It hurt.  Of course.   Finally, I made it to the final stretch and watched the two guys I was running near sprint off for the finish chute.  For those who don’t know, I have no finishing speed.  If you ever get into a close run finish with me, you win.  Hands down.  My run split, a slow sounding 42 high.  It is what it is. 

My overall finish time was 2:10 something.  Overall female finishers #1 and 2 were 2:09′s, so the top end of the field was fairly closely bunched, especially when you factor in several other 2:10 finishers right behind me.  I did win my age group, which was the primary goal.  I also wanted to see how high I could finish overall.  I’m pretty excited to earn a step on the overall women’s podium at age 40, although it’s not nearly so studly as 42 yo Doug Clark finishing 2nd on the men’s side.  

I’m really happy with the outcome and hope I can put together a solid day at Halfmax Nationals next weekend in Myrtle Beach.   Hopefully, we’ll get some pictures at the awards ceremony tonight.   Oh wait, just one more:  Woo hoo!!

Be Sociable, Share!

•