Race report - Gatorade triathlon series 2012-13 Race 3, Elwood
My photographer friend didn't quite master the focus button - I really need to point that out to people...
3rd race of the season and my second 3rd place! Going well.
Results
Category position: 3 (of 7)
Total time: 1:24:32
Swim (500m): 12:06 (2nd)
T1: 1:55
Bike (20km): 40:20 (2nd)
T2: 1:32
Run (5km): 28:37 (3rd)
So this was the same venue as the second race, but the weather was a lot more agreeable this time around. (In general - although I notice my swim time is worse!) Overcast, low 20s, no rain or really significant wind - just about perfect.
My wave was the last to start, 50 minutes after the first wave at 8:30am which kind of sucks. But it wasn't too bad because (1) it meant I could get up at 7am without packing the night before, (2) when I found I had left my timing chip at home I had plenty of time to walk back home and get it, and (3) by the time I was ready to put my wetsuit on the portaloo queues had died down significantly! :)
Overall no surprises - I'm happy to keep 2nd in the swim, and 2nd on the bike was a nice surprise - I spent nearly the whole time down in the drops for the first time, felt pretty comfortable down there which was good. Hard to break that 40 minute mark.
3rd on the run is a real surprise! It was a funny kind of run, I started out not really being able to tell how I felt. Obviously in hindsight I felt pretty good and should have pushed a bit harder. :) My feet were a bit numb, cold from the air I guess. I had a gel halfway through the bike and then at the start of the run. I'm pretty pleased, a good bike backed up with a good run - previously I could do a good bike with a poor run, or apparently a poor bike with an amazing run - maybe soon I'll crack the secret to an amazing bike and an amazing run. ;) I am never sure how much thigh (quads) burn to incur on the bike.
Also on the run, for the first time, I noticed the second place getter overtake me. (People's categories are written on the back of their calf, so you can tell. The first place getter is at no point behind me, so far.) I kind of noticed and went "oh... there she goes". Next time I will try to hold on a bit. But considering she is nearly cracking a 5:00 pace and I'm excited about 5:30, I don't feel bad about letting her go. :)
Feeling really good about training and racing at the moment. Loving my triathlon club.
Pretty nervous/excited about my first Olympic distance race (1.5km/40km/10km) - start of Feb!
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