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This race had long been Brandi’s end-of-season race – mine was supposed to be Lake Logan International, which was about 7 weeks ago.  Since then, I’ve been taking it easy.  But I was motivated to sign up for the race when Brandi encouraged me – I figured I could take it easy and it would be a fun way to spend a Saturday morning.  I was right!

 

First things first:  Strip off the old race numbers from my helmet and bike – I haven’t ridden at all since Lake Logan (side note – obviously, it’s way better/safer/more fun to train for an event than just wing it…).

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I knew going into registration that this race was going to be chilly and rainy, but I hoped that it wouldn’t be too cold once I warmed up (and it actually felt hot and muggy by the time I hit the run, as evidenced by the sports-bra-finisher pic above).  I don’t think I’ve ever done a triathlon entirely in the race, so I hit up Instagram for some last minute advice and opted to keep all my transition stuff in plastic bags.   Luckily, the rain was more of a constant drizzle than a downpour, so it wasn’t too bad.

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Transition was a Ghost Town – lots of last-minute drop outs due to the weather, I think.

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Race Recap:

 

Swim – 750 meters + a long run to transition in 19:02. Totally unprepared for the distance (haven’t been in the water at all since Lake Logan) but after years of freaking out during the swim, I have learned that this leg of the race is at least 80% mental.  The water was COLD, which made me swim a little too fast at the start.  I flipped to my back a few times to catch my breath, and then I got weirdly dizzy, which was pretty disconcerting.  I started to have all these unbidden thoughts of drowning – AHH!  I was very happy when the swim was over.

 

T1 – I took my sweet time getting to transition – it was a long way up a hill.  I walked the entire time (something I would never normally do).  I saw Brandi leave T1 just as I was coming in. In transition, I sat on my butt to put on my shoes, redid my braid, etc.  I took off my wet tri-top and put on a dry shirt.  I even walked all the way across transition to give another racer a heads-up that wearing earbuds would disqualify her.  In short, I was in no rush.

 

Bike – 14 miles that seemed to go on forever and ever.  Actually took me 1:02:13. It was raining harder and my shirt got soaked immediately.  Boo.  The bike was a nice course, but as usual, I just want the bike leg to be OVER.

 

T2 – I hurried up a bit this time around.  Grabbed a hat, my race belt, and changed my shoes.  And I was off. 

 

Run – The 5K was two rounds of an out-and-back route, so I passed Brandi twice.  She told me to try to catch up, but I knew she was too far in front.  I managed to not walk at all (!) and finished in a respectable 29:23.

 

Grand Total:  1:54:33.  WAHOO – 6th in my age group (but out of 6, hah!). 

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I just looked through some of my old race recaps and my time was pretty decent, all things considered.  I’m so glad I did that race.  Especially when I got to hit up Chipotle afterwards!

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I feel more motivated than ever to get back into the swing of things, workout-wise.  After all, the end of triathlon (sad face) means the beginning of winter running (happy face)!!  Wahoo. I love running in the fall and winter – don’t you??

{ 13 comments }

 

  • Joy September 28, 2015, 7:22 am

    Congratulations! Sounds like a great race, and a great motivator.

    I’m one of those strange people who loves running in the spring and summer because of the heat. I hate being cold at all so fall and winter running are not my favorite.

  • Chrissy September 28, 2015, 7:50 am

    Great job! I ended up with first in my age group in my 15K yesterday! How did your friend Brandi do?

  • Momhtp September 28, 2015, 8:03 am

    Sounds like a not so pleasant race but that you enjoyed being in the Tri with Brandi. And you did it! Congratulations on your ? ? –How many races have you completed and in how many years?

  • Amanda September 28, 2015, 12:25 pm

    I am still in awe of you triathletes! Great job!

  • bobbie September 28, 2015, 12:29 pm

    I LOVE fall and winter running. I fall off the rails in the summer and always come back strong in the fall & winter. That is specifically why I chose an April marathon this year for my first full. I knew I could not train in the summer. I ran in weather in the teens all winter! It was awesome!

  • Jen September 28, 2015, 12:59 pm

    You look so strong! I love fall running – I have asthma and can only run very short distances outside in the cold Vermont winters before I start to have breathing issues.

  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul September 28, 2015, 1:03 pm

    Way to go!!!!

  • Carolina John September 28, 2015, 1:29 pm

    Nice! Always fun to add something late season, and you certainly made the best of some bad conditions.

  • Jess September 28, 2015, 9:08 pm

    Hey! Great work! i was cold reading your recap! Dedication. OK, so curious; are you still breastfeeding? I thought you said you were…if so..did you need to pump while you were out racing then at lunch? I have a 9 month old….

    • Caitlin September 28, 2015, 9:15 pm

      I am still breastfeeding! I pumped at 5 when I woke up and then again when I got home at 12. By the time I got home I was definitely ready to pump/feed Claire. I find exercise temporarily reduces my supply so it wasn’t bad during the race itself though!

      • Jess September 29, 2015, 8:52 pm

        YEEEEESSS!! Good for you! Woah 7 hours is long! You MUST have been ready for a feed 🙂 Yea truth about the running and supply depletion except I usually see the drop in supply later that day. ANyway, go you on all accounts!

  • Emma September 29, 2015, 10:06 pm

    CAITLIN YOU HAVE ABS!! You’re looking super fit lately! Congrats on the race!

    • Caitlin September 30, 2015, 9:59 am

      Hahah I know – I don’t think I’ve ever had them, either. Crazy.

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