We picked this race for a couple of reasons: we'd heard great things from our tri friends about the Rev3 races in general, and this particular one takes place very close to my parents' house, providing a very convenient base of operations. After several years of sprint-distance triathlons, both Alex and I stepped up to do our first Olympic-distance races last year and will be doing several more this year.
Prep
We headed down to my parents' on Friday afternoon, in time to get in a short practice swim and pick up our race packets at the amusement park. A bunch of fellow Capital Multisporters joined us in using Woodbury as a home base, and we had a jolly pasta party on Friday night. On race day we were up bright and early and my dad dropped us off at the park so that we didn't have to deal with parking. We'd left our bikes in transition on Friday night, as required (big floodlights and security overnight for the several million dollars worth of tri bikes!) and I was happy to find that we had plenty of space in transition to set up our gear and our places were even marked with name tags. The water was beautiful and we went for a quick warm-up swim as the early waves started.
Swim: 1500 meters, 31:06, 27/55 in age group
The water was gorgeous, in the high 60s, and felt perfect with a wetsuit . I positioned myself toward the back of my wave, as usual, and was really pleased that the churning and occasional knocking-about of the start didn't
faze me. I set out at my slow-and-steady pace and tried to sight often enough to stay on course. Then suddenly around the second buoy, two-tenths of a mile in, I started to feel uncomfortable. I didn't get whacked by anyone or inhale water or anything, and it wasn't that I felt physically tired or out of breath. Panic attack is too dramatic, but whatever it was, I pulled up and breast-stroked for a little bit (probably 30 seconds or so though it felt longer) and then managed to talk my head back into the game. The entire rest of the swim was totally fine! The middle leg was a bit difficult because it was head-on into the sun, which made sighting tough, but except for one instance where a friendly paddle boarder headed me off to set me straight, it was uneventful. I was generally pleased when I hit the shore and headed into transition.
Bike: 24.8 miles, 1:24:29, 5/55 in age groupThe Quassy bike is notoriously difficult and hilly. I'd prepared well by riding the course several times on trips home to visit my folks, and by doing some very hilly training rides in the Concord area, and I felt ready for a strong bike leg. And that's exactly what I got! The Rev3 mechanic made a couple of quick fixes the night before, including sorting out a shifting problem, and my bike handled beautifully. I was able to drink a whole bottle of raspberry Skratch and even ate a couple pieces of Picky Bar (which I never want to do when racing). I felt strong on the hills and passed a lot of people, moving way up in my age group standings. I saw a few teammates en route, which was fun, and even the final long hill didn't seem so bad. Here's the gorgeous view we were treated to at the top of that final hill:
My bike leg was 10 minutes faster than my fastest training ride, and I was pretty sure I'd left enough in the tank for the run, as well. The only thing I'd change for the next race is to remember to re-set my Garmin before the race starts so I'm not trying to clear it on the fly! Very silly.
Run: 10K/6.2 miles, 54:53, 17/55 in age groupThe run course is also very hilly, and I'd developed a good Concord approximation course and ran it several times to get ready. The first couple of miles are mostly flat and slightly downhill, and the plan was just to settle in. My legs felt ok, though a little rubbery, which is normal coming off the bike. Though I didn't
feel like I was going fast, my watch told me I was around 8:00 pace. A little faster than planned, but felt good so decided to go with it. I made a quick pit stop at the Mile 2 portapotty and then headed into the hilly section. It was a hot day and I wasn't exactly charging up the hills, but I was moving steadily and passing a lot of people, which added to my energy. I was chasing someone in my age group who had passed me and was determined not to let her get away. We ran side by side on the ridge crest, down a steep hill, and toward the mile 5 water stop.
I was tired but felt like I was running pretty well, and knowing that Brynna was waiting to cross the finish line with me, spared a few moments thought to what I would do if this other girl and I were racing for the finish. Would I stop in the chute to run with Brynna? I decided that I would. I'm really competitive, but it's not like I was gunning for the age group podium or some kind of championship qualifier. But...it would still be better to beat this girl, and when she slowed for the water station, I kept on going. The nasty (and deceptively steep) hill in the last half mile was painful, but I kept telling myself that it would all be over in just a few minutes, and coach Steve yodeling from the bridge above provided a lift as well! Then it was back onto 64 and then the blessed turn into the park, where Alex and B were waiting to run across the mat with me.
What a wonderful way to finish! I think that the icy cold, soaking wet towel thrown across my shoulders at the line may be the best thing I've ever felt.
Finish 2:54:54, 11/55 in age groupOverall, I was very pleased with this first race of the season. The bike was the most fun and successful, but I also had a reasonably strong run and am making some gains on the swim as well. It's rewarding to see all of the off-season training paying off.
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