Preece World: Women of Steel Triathlon 2011

Okay, I need to get this in here before I do my next race (which is tomorrow Smile )

Half-way through May we did the AF Women of Steel Tri. Once again the weather stunk for training, but race day was beautiful. I think I was more nervous about this race than my first one. This was my first “traditional” Tri, where you do the swim/bike/run at the traditional distances. The bike/run block really had me nervous, since I always feel like my legs are going to give out on me in the first 1/2 mile of the run.

Let’s just say IT WAS AMAZING!! I had so much fun with this race. There were about 1000 women doing the race, which meant crazy busy, but a lot of fun!

Total Race Goal: 1 hour 35 minutes (Pie in the sky goal: 1 Hour 30 minutes)

300 Meter Swim: This was the craziest part. Everyone lined up on the edge of the pool and jumped in at 12 sec intervals. Completely nuts. Especially when people lined up at the beginning and were trying to walk across the pool. Made it VERY difficult for passing. Luckily Amy was in front of me, so I just paced behind her and hit her feet the entire way. (She is such a good sport!)

Swim Time: 7 min 41 sec – I was amazed - I had been struggling to try and finish in 8 min.

Transition 1: 3 min 41 sec – Totally didn’t like drying and getting socks and shoes on. Need to work the kinks out on this transition.

12.75 Mile Bike: I know I shouldn’t complain about my bike. It is a cheap $90 Wal-Mart special mountain bike. I really should have no expectations for it. However, I would like a race where I don’t actually have to get off my bike! My seat fell down 3 times during the ride. That was so not cool, but I was amazed at how well I jumped off and back on.

Bike Time: 48 min 56 sec – Okay. MIRACLE. In training I had never gotten 12 miles in less than 52 minutes. I did almost 13 miles and fixed my bike 3 times in under 50 minutes!! WAHOO!!! Must have been the adrenaline.

Transition 2: 2 min 33 sec – I blame this on the placement of my station. Had to run the bike to the opposite side of the area from the entrance, and then had to run back to start the 5k.

5K Run: This was actually my best event. I couldn’t believe it. I have never felt so good running. I just picked up my bottle and went. I managed an 8:50 pace. I usually shoot for a 10 min pace. I did a double take when I saw the results.

Run Time: 27 min 24 sec

Total Time: 1 hour 29 min 58 sec

WA – STINKIN’ - WHOOOOOOOO!!!! Beat my goal!

We had so much fun with this race. The women were great to hang out with, and I saw a lot of friends either racing or cheering us on. It was fun seeing the women I have been training on swimming with and cheering each other on as we were racing.