Race Report - Key Biscayne Triathlon Trilogy Bonus Round

I've harbored a secret dream since I got my road bike and discovered how much I love biking. . . a dream that involved me on a podium getting a medal for placing.  I'm not that strong of a swimmer or a runner, but I've discovered I'm a semi-decent cyclist.  The fat girl that still lives in me--the one that could never do the monkey bars and was always picked last in gym class--would never have considered placing in the top 3 in any physical event.

When I got my USAT membership and decided to start Tri-ing this summer, I didn't really think I would be able to pull off all 4 races of this series.  Its a lot to consistently train for, even though the distances are relatively short.  The one I did in 2009 was excruciatingly difficult for me.  But I'm learning my fitness is much better than I give myself credit for.  Going in the bonus race, I was pretty darn sure I was going to make that podium, but scared to say anything out loud.

Race day was beautiful--a nice easterly breeze (read--tail wind for the swim so NO BIG WAVES!).  My morning was marred slightly by a jerk moving my bike out of the end spot I had arrived nice and early to secure.  He swore up and down "It wouldn't matter" because he would be long gone by the time I returned.  Sorry, dude, didn't realize the fact that you were fast gave you license to be a complete asshole pooh-pooh head.  Its okay though, I believe in karma.

As usual, while we were waiting for the swim to start, I started feeling terribly unprepared.  This happens EVERY race.  Once the swim started, it took me a few minutes to settle in to my stroke.  I really need to work on that--I think I lose a good minute getting comfortable.  The swim FELT slow, compared to last race.  Transition felt slow too.  On the way out of T1, I thanked my lucky stars for the 1000th time that I didn't wear cycling shoes as I listened to people pound out of transition on their cleats.   The bike was windy, but great.  I'm probably known for yelling words of encouragement at everyone I pass . . .  On the 2nd time heading over the Rickenbacker, I encouraged another athlete.  She caught up to me on the run to say thanks and we ended up enjoying each other's company for the last mile and a half.  But before the run, I had to shove pooh-pooh head's $4,000+ tri bike out of my spot again so that I would have a place to rack my bike.  Despite that, in and out of T2 in less than a minute again.  Have I mentioned how glad I am not to have cycling shoes to deal with yet??  :-) .

I crossed the finish line tired, but not nearly as exhausted as last time.  I would be annoyed that I didn't push harder on the run, except for the fact that there was 7 minutes (!!) between myself and the 1st place finisher.  She ran a 26 minute 5K, so I don't think me pushing "a little more" would have put me in first.  Splits broke down like this:

Swim/run 0:10:10

T1 4:44

Bike 0:36:11

T2 0:55

Run 0:35:51

Total 01:27:51.45

 I knew when I crossed the finish line that I had done well, simply because I knew I had passed a few of my stronger competitors on the run.  But I was incredibly excited to see it was 2nd.   My daughter is turning 4 this month, and it was her birth that got me started on my fitness revolution.  It was SO FITTING that this first should come on her birth month.


My neighbor/friend/swim "coach"/inspirational counterpart, Julie, rocked the fat tire division for a 1st place.  It was so awesome that we both made the podium!

 All in all, a great race.  I need to improve my run and swim, but the BIKE is definitely my strong suit.  And my ability to hold the run after spinning my legs off for 36 minutes).   Looking forward to improving the other two over the winter months.

Nothing beats my son's response when I got home.  I told him I had a special medal if he wanted to wear it because I finished 2nd in my group.  He said to me "WOW, great job mom!  Maybe if you train harder, next time you can have first next time!"  Maybe so, silly boy.  But I've never been so happy to come in 2nd!

I'm not quite sure what's next.  I may tri ONE more time before the end of the season--I'm undecided about a race next month.  After that, everything is going to be focused on preparing for Ragnar Relay Florida Keys in January.   Hubs and I will be running that one together so I'm stoked for it--its going to be epic.