This is a misleading title. Why? Because this post isn’t so much about this particular triathlon as it is about my past week. Also because the real thing I want to talk about is what I accomplished last Wednesday night, not what I did Saturday morning.
Wednesday night was Doughnut Boys Time Trial. It was hot again, but this time we started a little later and there was more shade on this particular route compared to the 40k the previous week in Apex. Last month, I futzed around and mentally caved. Didn’t push like I should have and ended up with a 24:03. Geez. I’ve been trying to break that 24 minute barrier for years. I decided that July would be the month I finally pulled it off and by golly I did. I went 23:40. It took quite an effort.
So a few days later, I’m queuing up for a sprint triathlon. I didn’t rest as much this time as I typically do, but I figured it wouldn’t make too big of a difference. It probably didn’t, but I did feel my shoulders during the swim warmup and the cycling legs were definitely not recovered from the TT. I managed to exit first from the swim out of the open wave, so I suppose my swim is coming around. Sam (eventual men’s winner) passed me as I rolled out of transition. I thought I could keep him in sight on the bike at first, but it was not to be.
I rode most of the 15 miles without another bike in sight. Needless to say, there was no drafting. Not that there ever is with me, but I didn’t even have a carrot to push me on the bike. I’m sure I left some speed on the course, but I still rode faster than I did in 2004 last time I did this race.
The run is on trails with lots of twists, turns and short, steep ups and downs. It’s not a fast 5k. I just focused on my form. I’ve identified some issues I have when I try to run “hard” that are likely leading to the speedwork injuries I face when I do more than a little. So I worked on loosening out my back and thinking about starting each stride in my core, rather than from my hip. I think it was better. My split wasn’t dynamite, but it didn’t suck either.
Regarding performance goals, I wanted to set a new course record and figured a low 1:14 would be a good goal time. I went 1:12:13, so I suppose that’s solid.
So, anyway, since I won the womens’ race, I got interviewed for the local paper. Here’s the article. It’s pretty goofy, making weird intimate-sounding innuendo’s between me (almost 41) and the young men’s winner (23). Kind of strange for an event with strong religious overtones. Oh yeah, and apparently I’m vivacious. Must have been runner’s high.
Congrats on a great week of racing. But ummm, yeah that article’s tone was a bit weird.
Congrats on your awesome racing. And I am with Angela, that article had an odd tone.
Came over to check in on you! Congrats on your win and breaking 24! That writer needs a new job for sure!
HOPE you are well.
It seems like I always put up my best times when Im just trying to stay loose. It sounds like you killed the Mission Man without even realizing it!