Another Tri

 I decided to do a sprint tri to show for all the swimming practice I've been doing the past two years. I go once a week and swim a mile, my unique breaststroke, without getting my ears wet. Two years ago I did my own self-supported Olympic tri because I wanted the excuse to run a 10k at the end, as opposed to a 5k, since I'm best at the run. Last year I ran in the Ragnar, so I was only focused on running. I have a hard time finding convenient races that work with the other areas of my life, so I just thought I would stick with the ol' T-Rex series sprint tri that's only 30 minutes from home. The main problem with this race is it's at 6pm, so I'm not at my peak performance time, but that just makes it more challenging, right? Otherwise, it would be a lot easier for me!

Since Covid, they now have swimmers starting two by two, according to their swim times, which is so much better than the mass that used to run into the water together! I felt much more comfortable being spaced out like that. I started with the 16-minute group because that's about what I was doing in the pool (not exactly to the second because I don't time my seconds, but I do keep a close eye on the clock and when I'm at my best, that's about what I can do). I guess there are two reasons why I took a few minutes longer than I was supposed to. One, I really didn't swim in the lakes this summer, just kayaked. In the past, I didn't think it helped me much since I don't put my head in anyhow, it never seemed too different when I got in the lake, but maybe I should have practiced in the lake. Two, I spent most of the day trying to process some back-to-school-woes of some of my children and we'd had some heated discussions, so I felt all anxious due to that and got a side ache in the swim because of all the oxygen I'd been taking in that day. 

My transition to the bike was very quick and I got on only to learn that my chain had come off, probably during the bumpy ride up because of the side dirt roads I had to take since the freeway is still under construction. I don't usually have a problem with my chain, so I didn't even check it earlier. Luckily, it didn't take long to put back on and I made a pretty good time on my ride. I think I did about 2 minutes faster than in my last sprint tri. Even still, biking is never my best with all the mechanics involved on the bike and timing going down and up hills, so everyone who passed me on the ride, I passed on the run! I did pass some on the bike but was only passed twice on the run, and one was by a 68-year-old man! My total time was 1:31. I got 10th in my category. 

As usual, I didn't feel great on the run because it was at a late time for me, but I pushed anyhow because I know that I can- 3 miles is nothing. The week before when I did the race in the morning (the swim was in the pool and I only ran 1 mile but did the whole swim and bike) I felt so good and did a much better time for my swim. It doesn't really matter to me though. I just like to have something to train for to push myself a little harder during the summer months. The nice thing about triathlons is that they don't kill your body. I felt totally fine afterward and in the days following. I wasn't even sore. In fact, a week later, two days ago, I walked a very fast power walk with a friend for 4.5 miles to keep her company and then roller bladed for two hours in the afternoon. Parts of my legs that I don't get running are still sore from that!