Xterra race report

This report is essentially the same as the one in my training log but I added a few details that I forgot to put in my other one.

Pre-race routine:

My bag was already packed so I had my breakfast of PB&J on a waffle and coffee. I put my bike on the rack on the car and headed over to the park. It's only about 5 minutes from my house so I left about 6:50 for an 8:00 start. The park doesn't normally open until 7 so I thought I'd be one of the first ones to arrive. Much to my surprise, the parking lot was already about halfway full. I drove separately while my husband rode his bike over and was stressing when he didn't show up until almost the last minute. I wanted to make sure he made it and I wanted to see him before I got in the water.

Warm-up:

None except getting my wetsuit on and getting in the water to make sure my goggles were set. (which they weren't and never were!) Took a quick dip to get that layer of water in the suit and get my face wet to adjust to the chilly water. The race started a few minutes late so I was chilly standing in the water waiting to start.

Swim:

Since I've done this race before, I knew the start was a mass start. I thought I had placed myself pretty well but it turned out I was more near the front than I anticipated. The gun went off and we started swimming and there were people everywhere! I am terrible at swimming around and over people so I got caught up and couldn't find clear water. I had to breathe every stroke, couldn't get a rhythm and swallowed a bunch of water every time I tried to sight. There were people everywhere and I was getting splashed and started doing a water polo kind of stroke to avoid getting kicked in the face. I've never swam in that type of washing machine kind of start before and I don't care to do it again. The amount of people made the water choppy and I kept getting water in my face, enough to make me gag. I had to stop and tread water and heave several times. I really thought I was going to throw up right there in the water. Ick. A guy swimming by me actually asked me if I was okay. I didn't think about it at the time but how was he swimming that he could notice I was gagging? Anyway, I was barely 1/2 way to the first buoy and figured I might as well keep going, the bike couldn't be worse. Next time I will definitely start on the outside. I think it would be better to risk swimming extra yards to avoid that kind of start. I know I can go faster.

I rounded the buoys and swam straight to shore. As soon as I could stand, I stood up and started (trying) to take off my wetsuit. I used my watch time as my swim time, I remembered to hit the lap button when I entered transition but that was the only time I did it right.

T1

The suit got stuck on my arms, full suits are tight! Jogged to transition and tried to strip the suit the rest of the way but it got stuck on my feet - Dammit! Finally got it off, was dripping wet and got my bike shoes on, which were immediately soaking wet. I decided to ride without socks for this race. Not so much to save time (even though socks on wet feet is a major PITA!) but because I don't really need them. Shoes, gloves, helmet, camelbak, bike and I was out.

Bike:

I run out of T1 and felt like I was doing pretty well - there were still a bunch of bikes on racks. Ok, great, gonna be a good ride. I think I only got about 50 feet when I hear, "Flat! You've got a flat!" I think, "Me? Is he yelling at me? Shit, it is me."

I hop off the bike and see the tire is completely flat. Of course it's the back wheel. Fabulous. I turn the bike upside down and get the rear wheel off. I get the tube changed, tire on and start pumping it up and hear a hissing. My husband was right there and I asked him if he heard it. I pump some more and it's definitely hissing - yep, it's going flat. Fuuuuck. Get the tire off and run my hand around the inside to feel if there's anything sharp and I don't feel anything. Start the process again and get it changed and then I can't get the wheel back on. Aaaahhhh! Finally I get it on and locked, flip the bike over and try to roll it forward; the chain is stuck and then it throws the chain to the outside. Oh, come on!?! I change the gears so I can get it back on the big ring and get going, once again. The tire pressure was low but my mini-pump doesn't have a gauge so I had guess based on feel. During the whole process I had 4 or 5 guys offer to help - which was nice (even though I know how to change a flat!) but had to decline and tell them they can't help me. So, back off, Buddy! Just kidding. I tried to be nice but was more than a little frustrated.

When the second one went flat I felt the tears and was ready to say fuck it. On the verge of tears, I told my husband I didn't want to be last. There was a girl nearby who also said I wouldn't be last if I had this kind of determination to change 2 flats. I looked at my watch and saw this whole ordeal had taken 12 minutes; TWELVE minutes I lost! This is why my swim shows up as 33 minutes in the results, my swim time includes T1 and they started my bike time when I passed the finish line. I found the suckitupitude and rode out to the bike course. I took a gel right at the beginning of the ride. (even though at this point I was still considering quitting)

The course mostly followed the outer loop which is fairly tame as far as mountain bike courses go, EXCEPT they included a new section in the race. You know you're in for an interesting ride when there are signs that read "Monster Mile" and "Steep Climb." For me, the bad news was that new section was included; the good news was that I rode it last weekend so it wasn't unexpected. I was able to pass some folks but since I had such a long delay, I pretty much had the trail to myself. I think I passed 10-12 people. My rear tire was low which slowed me down but it helped me keep traction on a few tough climbs so I'm undecided if it was a total wash. I actually stopped once to put more air in the tire but it still felt lower then I normally ride. The rest of the ride was mostly uneventful. I got off and walked my bike on a big dip that I have done before but my confidence took a blow last week when I did an endo. My ride was definitely slower than normal and I was so glad to get back to the start.

T2

Nothing major. Found my rack, took off my stuff, slipped my running shoes on and grabbed my hat and race belt. I jogged out of transition and headed out. I decided to go without socks for the run too. I usually slip socks on in T2 but went without today. I have tried running without socks on the treadmill and it was fine but this was the first time actually doing it outside. I took a risk but it worked out well, no big hot spots and no blisters. I did have some sand on my ankle but it didn't cause any major issues, it was just annoying.

What would you do differently?:

Probably nothing except hustle more.

Run:

The run includes my T2 time and I'd like to think I took a couple of minutes in transition but I really have no idea. I went out too fast because right off the bat my HR was high and my breathing was out of control. My HR was actually at or above my AT almost the entire run. I ran until I got back in to the woods and walked to eat a gel. The run followed the mountain bike course until the turn off at the Monster Mile. Then we crossed the pipeline to pick up some of the inner loop. I ran, took walk breaks when my HR spiked, and ran the rest of the way. This year I'd say I ran almost the whole time but it was slow-going. I felt strong when I was running and my pace felt good but it was definitely slower then I wanted.

I took my amphipod bottle with me again this year and I am so glad I did. There's only one water table on the run (of 5 miles!) and it was starting to get hot and I was dehydrated. I didn't see many people on the run. I think I saw 2 or 3 folks on the entire run.

Oh, and not long after I started, two mountain bikers came up behind me. They were more courteous than I was. I said something like, "Dude, I'm racing." I'm sure I came off as bitchy when we wasn't being a jerk (I think they were kinda waiting) but I couldn't help it - it just came out. Oops, sorry Dude. It's not entirely their fault the park probably said it was okay to ride when the race was still happening. (the trails were supposed to be closed until 11)

What would you do differently?:

Like every race ... run more. It's no secret running is my least favorite so I can't be surprised when my run is less than stellar. This run was about average for me, below average for everyone else.

Post race warm down:

None, I was done. My husband got me a Gatorade and we walked around. Talked to a guy I met last week about the race and saw another friend and chatted for a few minutes. I packed up my crap, checked the preliminary posted results and got the hell outta Dodge.

What limited your ability to perform faster?:

Hmmm, poor seeding on the swim, 2 flats on the bike, lack of running in the last couple of weeks. I really thought I was better prepared for this race. I don't know exactly what happened. I could say what happened messed me up pretty much from the get-go, but I feel like there's more but can't put my finger on it. Even with the mishaps, I finished a minute faster than last year but going in to this race I really expected it to go differently. It just wasn't my day, I suppose.

Event comments:

This is a good race and well organized. The bike course was more technical then last year so I think it makes an intermediate level bike course. The thing that strikes me as funny about this race is that it's put on by a company that primarily does mountain bike races. They're super nice but the post-race food is definitely geared towards those types of guys (you know it's almost exclusively guys) and it's so obvious. This is the only triathlon I have ever been to where the post-race food consisted of meatball subs, potato salad and baked beans. The guys were all over it but I wanted absolutely no part of it. I was happy with my Gatorade and banana.

I'm glad I did this race but I'm not sure if I'll do it again. My swim experience was so terrible, it's almost a deal breaker. Even two days later I have mixed emotions about the entire race. I'm not totally disappointed with my performance but wonder how my day would have gone had my conditions been better.