1/2 mile Swim | 15k Bike | 5k Run
1:20:22 2/18(55-59) 16/197 F 109/452 OA
What a fun race! Clean, clear, cool water. An easy swim around the Green Avalon Pier. We stayed at the Las Paloma las Flores apartments in Avalon, a really sweet place to stay. We had #16, which is up many flights of stairs with a great view of the town.
Race start was 9:00am, the transition area was cleared at 8:45 am. I got up at 6:15 am and had a leisurely breakfast, all the usual stuff. Then rode my bike down to the race sight at 7:20 ish. I racked my bike in the sand. I should have put my shoes, etc out on the pavement under the concrete bench. Next time I'll know. And also, next time I need to bring the platforms for my bike pedals, so that I can wear run shoes for biking. There is a long run on the pavement before the bike mount, it would have been nice to run in my running shoes vs bike shoes!
The race started on time at 9:00. I swam close to the pier, then turned rightish after I could see the buoy. I headed straight there. My turn at the next buoy was fine - I then headed straight to the shore...but I couldn't see the finish for quite a while. The black and white flags were just elusive.. but I finally did see them and got in from the swim in good time, I was first in all women over 40.. yahoo! The water was FABULOUS! It was cool, clear, clean and one cap with my Xterra sleeveless suit was perfect.
The three loop bike course was the most challenging on the first loop - my quads were screaming! The two loop run was also challenging, a large and steep hill twice. I didn't see anyone in my age group, but a 55 - 59 woman much have passed me at some point in the bike or run. Maybe she racked closer to the bike out.. which is always the best idea.
I had seen Secretariat at the Avalon Theater the night before the race, so all I could think of was Secretariat running.. I heard the heavy breathing and somehow channeled race horse energy.
The run was sweet, lots of good folks on the side lines and lots of good cheering. A well supported race - definitely a do again. I won a TYR beach towel for my 2nd place age group win..Sweet!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Marin County Triathon October 31 2010
Olympic Distance 2:49:23 1/4 (55-59) 30/155 Female Overall
S 27:04 | B 1:19:43 | R 58:40
Nutrition:
Pre - Oatmeal, Hammer Gel, banana + milk. Usual vitamins + 3 extra Race Caps Supreme and 3 Endurolytes. Protein powder w/water + milk. 8 - 12 ounces Heed prior to swim start.
During - Heed, Hammer Gel, 3 more Race Caps and Endurolytes during bike.
A race close to home at Mc Near's Beach in San Rafael. I left my house by 6:10am or so and parked about a mile away on Oak to avoid the line of cars and parking scene at the park. I arrived at the transition area by 6:45ish and racked my bike by the bike out. The racks were on extremely wet grass. I had brought a plastic bag with me to use instead of a towel to set up my bike and run stuff. It turned out to be a good idea. The race started a little bit late because of the long time it took for people to file in and park their cars.
I walked over to the swim start at 7:45. Lots of folks were in costume, as it WAS Halloween - very festive feel to the morning. This race is organized really well, no lines for any of the many porta - johns, lots of body markers, good food for volunteers and competitors, great sponsors -- generally a great race!
Thank goodness, the weather had cleared from the previous rainy and wet conditions, there were no rain clouds and this was turning out to be a clear and cool Sunday morning. But.. the water was COLD! I wore 2 regular swim caps and my long sleeved Xterra wetsuit - and I was still cold. My wave ( wave #6 - pink caps) went off at 8:25 am.. we still had some Flood tide left at that point which helped us get to the end more quickly. The swim course had us swim past the end chute to a turn around buoy. By the time I got to there -- the ebb had started to kick in, so it was a swift and smooth ride to the finishing chute. But, I felt badly for the wave that left after us.. they were caught in the Ebb, and had to swim against the current for most of the swim course.
I had a slow transition from the swim to bike, my hands were freezing so everything was difficult. Everyone had green scum on their faces from the water ( I don't want to think about what it actually was...... yuck!) I should have grabbed my jacket, but I didn't. Parts of the bike course were still in the shade and were.. how do I say it... friggin' freezing! My feet never really warmed up. The bike course was a three loop adventure with 6 very tight turns. I managed to swallow my race caps and endurolytes, have a swig or two of Hammer Gel and Heed, but my hands were cold for the entire ride.
In T2, I still couldn't feel my feet, so putting on my running shoes was very difficult. My right foot looked like a foreign object at that point, but they finally warmed up at mile 5 in the run. My run was steady and slow, I walked for 30 seconds twice and then for 20 seconds once. I hadn't been training for running much at all -- in an effort to save my right knee for the races.. I dunno if that was such a good idea... but the run to the finish was sweet. Whit was announcing, so he pronounced my name correctly.. which is always nice - he also announced me as the winner of my age group, which is also, always a sweet thing to hear at the end of the race.
A great race, great prizes ( I won a full tune up for my bike.. something I really needed!) and good schwag.
S 27:04 | B 1:19:43 | R 58:40
Nutrition:
Pre - Oatmeal, Hammer Gel, banana + milk. Usual vitamins + 3 extra Race Caps Supreme and 3 Endurolytes. Protein powder w/water + milk. 8 - 12 ounces Heed prior to swim start.
During - Heed, Hammer Gel, 3 more Race Caps and Endurolytes during bike.
A race close to home at Mc Near's Beach in San Rafael. I left my house by 6:10am or so and parked about a mile away on Oak to avoid the line of cars and parking scene at the park. I arrived at the transition area by 6:45ish and racked my bike by the bike out. The racks were on extremely wet grass. I had brought a plastic bag with me to use instead of a towel to set up my bike and run stuff. It turned out to be a good idea. The race started a little bit late because of the long time it took for people to file in and park their cars.
I walked over to the swim start at 7:45. Lots of folks were in costume, as it WAS Halloween - very festive feel to the morning. This race is organized really well, no lines for any of the many porta - johns, lots of body markers, good food for volunteers and competitors, great sponsors -- generally a great race!
Thank goodness, the weather had cleared from the previous rainy and wet conditions, there were no rain clouds and this was turning out to be a clear and cool Sunday morning. But.. the water was COLD! I wore 2 regular swim caps and my long sleeved Xterra wetsuit - and I was still cold. My wave ( wave #6 - pink caps) went off at 8:25 am.. we still had some Flood tide left at that point which helped us get to the end more quickly. The swim course had us swim past the end chute to a turn around buoy. By the time I got to there -- the ebb had started to kick in, so it was a swift and smooth ride to the finishing chute. But, I felt badly for the wave that left after us.. they were caught in the Ebb, and had to swim against the current for most of the swim course.
I had a slow transition from the swim to bike, my hands were freezing so everything was difficult. Everyone had green scum on their faces from the water ( I don't want to think about what it actually was...... yuck!) I should have grabbed my jacket, but I didn't. Parts of the bike course were still in the shade and were.. how do I say it... friggin' freezing! My feet never really warmed up. The bike course was a three loop adventure with 6 very tight turns. I managed to swallow my race caps and endurolytes, have a swig or two of Hammer Gel and Heed, but my hands were cold for the entire ride.
In T2, I still couldn't feel my feet, so putting on my running shoes was very difficult. My right foot looked like a foreign object at that point, but they finally warmed up at mile 5 in the run. My run was steady and slow, I walked for 30 seconds twice and then for 20 seconds once. I hadn't been training for running much at all -- in an effort to save my right knee for the races.. I dunno if that was such a good idea... but the run to the finish was sweet. Whit was announcing, so he pronounced my name correctly.. which is always nice - he also announced me as the winner of my age group, which is also, always a sweet thing to hear at the end of the race.
A great race, great prizes ( I won a full tune up for my bike.. something I really needed!) and good schwag.
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