Here’s my first race report, so be gentle. I tend to be long-winded, so anytime you feel like bailing please do; you won’t hurt my feelings J.
I’m loving the 9:00 am start, especially since it’s WAY down south (I live in Mill Creek/Bothell)! I get up at 5:50 am. So far so good, the alarm went off as scheduled, and the equipment list was all checked off and loaded last night and ready to go (more on the items not on my check off list later). I have a banana on the way out and a small bottle of water to start hydrating.
I race down I-405 with little traffic and stop off in Maple Valley Starbucks for latte, banana bread and a chocolate donut (Jill said it was OKJ). Besides getting stuck behind a few cars that seem to be taking their sweet loving time, I make good time to the event and arrive shortly after 7:00 am. The parking lot is already full, but I totally luck out and get the last spot hidden behind a huge suburban (SUVs rule!). The registration line is moving at snail’s pace, and I try not to let it frustrate me; too late I’m already irritated, but take a deep breath to refocus.
I get my packet and set up my transition area with plenty of time to take a 15 min spin on the bike, then a short run on the course. The roads are pretty wet, so I make a mental note to remember to slow down on any sharp curves or turn-arounds. The run course is peppered with massive puddles and mud, so I’ll need to watch my footing (brings back all those by-gone years in high school cross-country).
I check out the course maps, and fail to notice that the Sprint run course is TWICE around the lake (it comes back to haunt me later J). I notice that the registration line is ridiculously long now, and figure this race will not be starting on time. I so a bit of stretching, potty break and head back to transition zone. It’s comforting to see and say hi to a few familiar team mates: David, Mark and Shannon, which calms my pre-race jitters a bit.
I put on my wet suit (I decide to skip the Pam this time to see if it makes a difference since I used it at Issaquah) around 8:30 and head to the beach. Sure enough, they announce that the race will be 5-10 min late, so I hang out until about 8:45, then go out for a short warm-up swim to the 1st buoy and back. I check out the swim exit, and notice that it’s fairly rocky, but with smooth rocks. So, the plan will be to swim as far to shore as possible to avoid the @#$% rocks!
I hang out on the beach until race start (only about 10 min.), so I timed everything about right. Can’t really hear the pre-race brief because the wax, and the guy is just droning on anyway (he probably mentioned that the Sprint run was TWO laps around the lake at this point!?).
I line up on the far right as recommended by Michael’s forum message (thanks, Michael), and see David there too (a good sign, even if I know I won’t see him again until after the race J). A few words to fellow racers, then the count down to the mass start (my first!!).
And we’re off! I decide to go out moderately strong to stay out from the crowd, and until the first buoy, it’s not too bad; a few bumps and gropes. At the first turn, it gets kinda crazy. I come up for air, and get the great squall instead. Grab as much air I can and go an extra stroke or 2, but come up into some major chop and surrounded by swimmers on all sides. I panic a bit, and have a hard time catching my breath, so I decide to take a couple of breast strokes to get air and calm down. I get a full lung of air, and have a split-second Zen moment to refocus and tell myself to just swim and breathe. After a few strokes, I’m back into a good breath rhythm. The rest of the swim is good. I concentrate on lengthening my strokes with nice smooth, strong pulls. I have to pass in front or behind a couple of people, but the field must have thinned out into sanity by now. I’m sighting well, and make the final leg to the finish. Get out near the shore; rocks are not an issue. I plant my feet “Sumo-style” like Jill recommends, and make it out easily. The wax plugs have completely resolved the dizziness I used to contend with (another great piece of advice, thanks Jill). I run to T1, and have a bit of problem with the zipper, but nothing that slows me down and am able to strip down to my waist. I get to my bike, by counting 1-2-3 rows, and it helps that the row #s are well displayed. I sit down, and peel off the suit (I notice that the Pam would have been helpful). I decide to skip the socks, put the shoes on, and then the helmet. I haven’t quite mastered being able to slide my shoes on with no hands, so I put them on first, then put the helmet on. I throw my suit out of the way, and notice my rain jacket is still on my bike (why? I have no idea; I’m wet and it’s raining, so why bother?!). I yank it off and transition out.
My legs are a bit tight and are burning a bit at first, so I only push the burn to a moderate level in order to avoid lactate flooding. A biker passes me about 1-2 miles on the bike, but I let him go. I take in ¼ a 16-oz. bottle with 2 scoops of Carbo-Pro. My legs get progressively better, and by the turn-around, they’re feeling pretty strong, so I decide to go all out from there on. I do most of the race in my big ring; except on the hills. I end up passing 2-3 people, and find it strange to be doing most the race by myself (a new situation for me). I keep sipping from the bottle through out the race. The bottle is hard to drink from (I’m thinking a normal bike bottle will be better, next time). It starts pouring, but that just pushes me even harder (bring it on, Noah!). Feeling real strong by the end of the bike, and have strong legs going into the run.
Ok, I’m not real proud of T2. My fingers are numb and unresponsive, so I have a hard time getting my bike shoes off, and my running shoes on. I decide to skip the socks for the run. I haven’t switched to lace locks yet, and am cursing myself the whole time I’m trying to tie my shoes! I finally get them tied in what seems like FOREVER.
Take off running, and legs are still feeling strong. I pass a few people at a good pace, which always gives me a great mental boost, then settle into a good pace paying close attention to the trail conditions. I come into the final turn and turn it on for the finish! What the hell…there’s ANOTHER lap to go? Steve, you’re an absolute moron! All those years of college, grad school and residency, and you didn’t even notice that the Sprint was 2 laps, NOT 1. After sprinting through the “finish line”, I gut it out and I embrace my anger to fuel me through another lap. I actually pass a few more people, and figure: “hey, maybe this isn’t such a bad thing?!” My legs are getting a bit weak on the small hills (I don’t wonder why!?), but I’m still maintaining a good pace and am able to kick it through the finish line (for a SECOND time!). All in all, a good race.
In case you are convinced that I’m somewhat of an air-head, please stay tuned. On my way back on Hwy 169 I’m chatting away with my Dad (he lives in South Carolina) on Father’s Day, and… I run out of GAS?! Oh no, he didn’t?! In my defense, my gage is broken, and my mind was on other things. The good part (if there is a good par?) is that I have my bike with me! Because you know, there’s no way in hell that I’m calling anyone to bail my stupid ass out! So…after a few more miles (I’m about 2-3 miles form Renton) to the nearest gas station and back. I fill ‘er up, and finally get back on the road. Not my most mentally acute day!
Lessons Learned:
· Get there early (2hours?)
· Fill up the car the day before (add to packing list)
· Use Pam
· Get lace locks
· Use garbage bag for post race wet clothes (add to packing list)
· Check out the course!
· Work on transitions
· Skip socks for Sprints
· Get advice on extreme, full-body contact swimming
