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<p>I haven't been around much, but I wanted to post a quick RR since I had my best race ever yesterday. First tri of the season -- Danskin. I swore I'd never do this race again because of the crowds and extremely slow women in my way, but I've been training a group of women for several months toward their first tri, and I was going to be there anyway to support them, so I just decided I'd give it a shot once more.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Short version:</p>
<p>Breakfast - coffee and Larabar</p>
<p>Attire - Desoto top, Desoto shorts, visor, Asics Nimbus</p>
<p>800m/12mi/5K - Swim 16:26/59, Bike 36:15 (19.8 mph)/17, Run 27:24 (8:50/mi)/92</p>
<p>Total time - 1:24:12, 23/1038 OA, 3/139 AG</p>
<p>FINALLY top 3 in AG!!!! Never happened before! No one passed me the whole race!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Long version:</p>
<p>Packet Pick-up:</p>
<p>One of my friends and trainees went to packet pick-up with me. We listened to the course review and a little bit of the race preview. She was relieved to see how many first timers there were and how many were nervous. She was very nervous about the swim having had a near-drowning experience when she was 13. She did 4 open water swims to prepare, though, so I knew she'd be fine. She made a lot of progress. The first OW swim, she stood in ankle deep water crying because she was so scared. She panicked halfway through and didn't think she'd make it back to shore (though I was with her and told her she would make it if I had to pull her back). She got back out there and conquered that fear, though. I am so proud of her.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We headed over to bike racking. We racked our bikes, noting what row we were on and where the bike and run exits were. We headed down to the water so she could take a look at the lake. I ended up answering a bunch of questions from first timers while standing down there. I noticed the transition area was MUCH smaller than in the past for Danskin. I saw that the number only went up to 1200, then they had a bunch of empty racks for those that registered that day. I know I was 18xx for my first Danskin. Turns out there were only about 1000 finishers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Breakfast: Just my coffee and a Larabar in the car on the way</p>
<p>Attire: Reef blue Desoto Carrera top, Black Desoto Carrera tri shorts, my "Run Like a Girl" black visor, Asics Nimbus running shoes</p>
<p>Distance: 800m/12mi/5K</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Woke up at 4:20. Had my coffee, filled my bottles, got dressed, then loaded in the car with DH and one DD. Picked up my friend at 5:15, then headed down. We hoped to get there at 5:45 so we could park close. This year, we could park in the park instead of at the Expo center 1+ mile away, but there were so many people and they were parking one row at a time (again), that it was faster for us to walk. So, we got out and walked while DH parked the car. When we got there, I took pictures of my friend getting body marked and setting up transition. I saw another friend at the port-o-potties. I got my stuff set up and met up with my other trainees and wished everyone good luck. I pumped up everyone's tires, then we all headed out of transition and down to the water. They announced the race would start 15 minutes late (big surprise -- it always starts late because of the parking).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I finally found DH, and he took some pictures of some of us together. Then, it was time to get lined up. I was ready. I did notice the waves seemed smaller than usual. Turns out there were less than 100 per wave, which was nice. It's the swim I dreaded because the last time I did Danskin, my swim was SUPER slow because of all the people in my way with 150 per wave and most not really swimming.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Swim: I started right in the middle of my wave. The start was a little rough as usual, but it didn't take long for me to pull ahead of most of the slower women. By the first buoy, I had already caught up to the next wave. I caught the next wave before I reached halfway. I felt like I was keeping up a good pace. I swam 800m in the pool in 15 mins., so I was hoping for around 16 mins. or so. My previous Danskin swim was over 19 mins.!!! With less women in the water, I felt I finally had a chance for a good swim. I did get kicked in the goggles twice, but it wasn't bad. I just readjusted quickly and kept going. It didn't get too crowded until the last 100m. I could only see a couple pink caps (my color) in front of me, so I knew I was near the front of my wave. I didn't wear a watch, so I had no idea what my swim time was, but I felt really good about it. I got out and ran up the LONG hill (most were walking) to transition and waved to DH with the camera on the way up. Turns out, my time was 16:26!! Yea! Rank: 59</p>
<p> </p>
<p>T1: My feet were covered in mud when I got to transition, as it was all dirt where my bike was (no grass). So, I had to squirt them with a water bottle before putting my socks on which wasted a little time, but there was no way I was putting those muddy feet in my bike shoes.
Other than that, T1 was pretty fast, though not my fastest for this race: 2:37</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bike: I took off right away on the bike. I knew the course well, so I knew I would wait a while before taking a drink. I pushed hard from the beginning, even though my legs weren't wanting to. I was flying past everyone. There is a slight uphill at mile 2 when we rode through the expo center, but I know it well and stayed in my big gear and powered up. Everyone else slowed considerably. Once I got going, I had it in my head that I wanted to not get passed on the bike. I was shooting for 20 mph average, but I knew it would be REALLY hard on the super hilly course. I just pushed hard up the hills and really pedaled down the downhills. There was very little wind, so it wasn't a factor (unlike my last Danskin). I had my Garmin, but the average was off for some reason. I didn't pay much attention to it anyway. I just rode fast.....really fast. I did yell some encouraging words to the other women, especially on the hills. There is one really steep short hill right after you make a sharp right turn. Lots of women walk it. I geared all the way down and stayed seated and powered up as fast as I could. Then there were several ups and downs. Eventually, we got to the toll road access road, and it's a long climb. I just kept at it and passed everyone. I knew I was doing well, and so far no one passed me. I kept thinking I heard someone on my tail, but I think I lost them eventually (especially on the hills). This was my first race with my road bike without aerobars. SO much better! I could climb incredibly well. I don't have a super lightweight bike (it's steel and weighs about 23 pounds), but I've been looking at carbon tri bikes. I might hold off now. Anyway! The last mile has a medium hill, then a REALLY big hill. So, I was trying to get my average speed up before I got to those hills. My Garmin was reading 19.2, which was a little disappointing, but I decided to try to end with 19.0. I pushed up that hill. Spectators were watching me because I was flying past everyone. I did not see anyone in my AG at the end. Everyone was older (oldest start first). When I finally finished the bike, my Garmin read 18.8, which I wasn't too happy about, but I was satisfied. Turns out my average was really 19.8. Bike time: 36:15 Rank: 17</p>
<p> </p>
<p>T2: T2 was fast. I threw off my helmet, changed shoes, threw on my visor and race belt. Then, I snapped my Garmin into the wrist strap and took off. As I headed out, I realized I forgot to turn the auto pause off on my Garmin. Darn it! No biggie. When I crossed the mat, I hit lap, which should have put me in run mode (I had it on multisport), but it was still in bike mode. It was showing mph. I hit lap again just in case I didn't hit it once, but it was still in bike mode. I have no idea what happened. It has always worked fine before. Anyway! T2 time was 1:28</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Run: So, I didn't get passed on the bike. I have NEVER done a run I didn't get passed on, but this because my goal once I was passing so many women on the run. Most were walking. The run for this course is super tough. It is all on grass and there are a couple serious hills, the biggest at the very end (just like the bike). I've run it many times, though because this is part of the HIM course I've done as well, so I knew what to expect. Some is shaded but a lot is not. It was probably about 85 degrees at this point, which isn't bad. I'll take that any day! I discovered over the past few weeks how important hydration is for me while running. I hoped I had enough to drink on the bike. I started out a little fast, then I settled in. It took me a good 3/4 mile to really get my legs. I knew I had pushed hard on the bike. Since my Garmin was reading mph, I couldn't tell what my pace was. I didn't even know my time because I hit the lap button more than once. I got backward on the mph thinking I wanted that number to be low (like with min/mi), so I thought I was running slow, but I really wasn't. I ran a mile with no one passing me, so my confidence was high. I felt good. I started to get a stitch, so at mile 1, I grabbed 2 cups of water and drank one and poured one over my head. I had to walk momentarily to drink because I was just breathing so hard. After that, I didn't drink anymore, but I grabbed cups of water and poured them over my head. I pushed hard. My time goal for the run was under 9:00/mi. I passed DH once, and he said I looked fast. I still hadn't figured out my mph thing at that point, so I thought I was slow. The ground was pretty uneven, so I was really having to be careful. I still hadn't gotten passed and was passing lots of people. I couldn't believe it. I never saw anyone in my AG on the run. Everyone was older. I finally rounded the corner where I knew the big hill was. Once I got to the top of that hill, I knew I'd hit asphalt and I'd have about 1/3 mile to go. I pushed up that hill, but it was REALLY hard. I grabbed a water cup at the top and poured it over my head, then took off. I saw DH again at the top, and he said to pick it up. I wasn't sure I could. I heard a woman behind me say "Go Kelli!" I think she heard DH say my name. I was thinking, oh no, she's right on my tail. I tried to push harder so she wouldn't pass me, but she finally did about 1/4 mile from the finish. I had passed her earlier, though, so I didn't count her as passing me since she was really ahead of me to begin with. Once I hit the finish chute, I kicked it up. They announced my name, and I had a huge smile on my face. I knew I had a good race. I just didn't know how good. My goal was under 1:30. My run time was 27:24 (8:50/mi). Rank: 92</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Once I finished, I headed back to see my trainees finish their first tri. They all did awesome!! I was so proud of them all. One did the bike for a relay, and she did great. My friend who was terrified of swimming had a great race finishing in 1:41. My other friend who has gained a lot of weight and has never really done any sort of exercise before this had a great finish and ran with her 3 year old across the finish line. It was so fun!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't even look at my times until I got home. I thought I came out pretty far up, but I never thought I'd be in the top 3 because there are always some really fast women at this race. It was smaller this year, though, and not many elites. I don't even think they did awards.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't find out until later when my friend texted me and told me I placed 3rd in my AG!!!!!!</p>
<p>Total time: 1:24:12, 23/1038 OA, 3/139 AG</p>
<p>#1 in my AG was 3rd overall, so she was SUPER fast. #2 was quite a bit faster than me as well. Overall rankings included relays, which they shouldn't. So, 2 relays finished ahead of me. That would put me 21 overall. Almost top 20!! It was really cool to see my name on the first page of the results (top 25).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have always had the under 1:25 goal in my head, but I've been so far from it. I did Danskin 3 years ago in 1:31. Then, 2 years ago, I did the exact course in 1:29 on a really hot day in another race. I was happy to have gone under 1:30. My goal was really just to beat that time because that race is a smaller race (easier swim).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have never placed in a tri, so I am SUPER happy! Especially to have done it at Danskin, which is a big race. I'm really excited now about my season. I've had a couple seasons with some bad luck (flats) and not the best racing. My running is my weakness, and I'm really working hard on it. I'm ready for a great season of racing. Next race is in July -- a hilly longer race that I came in 6th in AG 2 years ago, so the bar is set high!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Short version:</p>
<p>Breakfast - coffee and Larabar</p>
<p>Attire - Desoto top, Desoto shorts, visor, Asics Nimbus</p>
<p>800m/12mi/5K - Swim 16:26/59, Bike 36:15 (19.8 mph)/17, Run 27:24 (8:50/mi)/92</p>
<p>Total time - 1:24:12, 23/1038 OA, 3/139 AG</p>
<p>FINALLY top 3 in AG!!!! Never happened before! No one passed me the whole race!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Long version:</p>
<p>Packet Pick-up:</p>
<p>One of my friends and trainees went to packet pick-up with me. We listened to the course review and a little bit of the race preview. She was relieved to see how many first timers there were and how many were nervous. She was very nervous about the swim having had a near-drowning experience when she was 13. She did 4 open water swims to prepare, though, so I knew she'd be fine. She made a lot of progress. The first OW swim, she stood in ankle deep water crying because she was so scared. She panicked halfway through and didn't think she'd make it back to shore (though I was with her and told her she would make it if I had to pull her back). She got back out there and conquered that fear, though. I am so proud of her.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We headed over to bike racking. We racked our bikes, noting what row we were on and where the bike and run exits were. We headed down to the water so she could take a look at the lake. I ended up answering a bunch of questions from first timers while standing down there. I noticed the transition area was MUCH smaller than in the past for Danskin. I saw that the number only went up to 1200, then they had a bunch of empty racks for those that registered that day. I know I was 18xx for my first Danskin. Turns out there were only about 1000 finishers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Breakfast: Just my coffee and a Larabar in the car on the way</p>
<p>Attire: Reef blue Desoto Carrera top, Black Desoto Carrera tri shorts, my "Run Like a Girl" black visor, Asics Nimbus running shoes</p>
<p>Distance: 800m/12mi/5K</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Woke up at 4:20. Had my coffee, filled my bottles, got dressed, then loaded in the car with DH and one DD. Picked up my friend at 5:15, then headed down. We hoped to get there at 5:45 so we could park close. This year, we could park in the park instead of at the Expo center 1+ mile away, but there were so many people and they were parking one row at a time (again), that it was faster for us to walk. So, we got out and walked while DH parked the car. When we got there, I took pictures of my friend getting body marked and setting up transition. I saw another friend at the port-o-potties. I got my stuff set up and met up with my other trainees and wished everyone good luck. I pumped up everyone's tires, then we all headed out of transition and down to the water. They announced the race would start 15 minutes late (big surprise -- it always starts late because of the parking).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I finally found DH, and he took some pictures of some of us together. Then, it was time to get lined up. I was ready. I did notice the waves seemed smaller than usual. Turns out there were less than 100 per wave, which was nice. It's the swim I dreaded because the last time I did Danskin, my swim was SUPER slow because of all the people in my way with 150 per wave and most not really swimming.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Swim: I started right in the middle of my wave. The start was a little rough as usual, but it didn't take long for me to pull ahead of most of the slower women. By the first buoy, I had already caught up to the next wave. I caught the next wave before I reached halfway. I felt like I was keeping up a good pace. I swam 800m in the pool in 15 mins., so I was hoping for around 16 mins. or so. My previous Danskin swim was over 19 mins.!!! With less women in the water, I felt I finally had a chance for a good swim. I did get kicked in the goggles twice, but it wasn't bad. I just readjusted quickly and kept going. It didn't get too crowded until the last 100m. I could only see a couple pink caps (my color) in front of me, so I knew I was near the front of my wave. I didn't wear a watch, so I had no idea what my swim time was, but I felt really good about it. I got out and ran up the LONG hill (most were walking) to transition and waved to DH with the camera on the way up. Turns out, my time was 16:26!! Yea! Rank: 59</p>
<p> </p>
<p>T1: My feet were covered in mud when I got to transition, as it was all dirt where my bike was (no grass). So, I had to squirt them with a water bottle before putting my socks on which wasted a little time, but there was no way I was putting those muddy feet in my bike shoes.
Other than that, T1 was pretty fast, though not my fastest for this race: 2:37</p><p> </p>
<p>Bike: I took off right away on the bike. I knew the course well, so I knew I would wait a while before taking a drink. I pushed hard from the beginning, even though my legs weren't wanting to. I was flying past everyone. There is a slight uphill at mile 2 when we rode through the expo center, but I know it well and stayed in my big gear and powered up. Everyone else slowed considerably. Once I got going, I had it in my head that I wanted to not get passed on the bike. I was shooting for 20 mph average, but I knew it would be REALLY hard on the super hilly course. I just pushed hard up the hills and really pedaled down the downhills. There was very little wind, so it wasn't a factor (unlike my last Danskin). I had my Garmin, but the average was off for some reason. I didn't pay much attention to it anyway. I just rode fast.....really fast. I did yell some encouraging words to the other women, especially on the hills. There is one really steep short hill right after you make a sharp right turn. Lots of women walk it. I geared all the way down and stayed seated and powered up as fast as I could. Then there were several ups and downs. Eventually, we got to the toll road access road, and it's a long climb. I just kept at it and passed everyone. I knew I was doing well, and so far no one passed me. I kept thinking I heard someone on my tail, but I think I lost them eventually (especially on the hills). This was my first race with my road bike without aerobars. SO much better! I could climb incredibly well. I don't have a super lightweight bike (it's steel and weighs about 23 pounds), but I've been looking at carbon tri bikes. I might hold off now.
Anyway! The last mile has a medium hill, then a REALLY big hill. So, I was trying to get my average speed up before I got to those hills. My Garmin was reading 19.2, which was a little disappointing, but I decided to try to end with 19.0. I pushed up that hill. Spectators were watching me because I was flying past everyone. I did not see anyone in my AG at the end. Everyone was older (oldest start first). When I finally finished the bike, my Garmin read 18.8, which I wasn't too happy about, but I was satisfied. Turns out my average was really 19.8. Bike time: 36:15 Rank: 17</p><p> </p>
<p>T2: T2 was fast. I threw off my helmet, changed shoes, threw on my visor and race belt. Then, I snapped my Garmin into the wrist strap and took off. As I headed out, I realized I forgot to turn the auto pause off on my Garmin. Darn it! No biggie. When I crossed the mat, I hit lap, which should have put me in run mode (I had it on multisport), but it was still in bike mode. It was showing mph. I hit lap again just in case I didn't hit it once, but it was still in bike mode. I have no idea what happened. It has always worked fine before. Anyway! T2 time was 1:28</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Run: So, I didn't get passed on the bike. I have NEVER done a run I didn't get passed on, but this because my goal once I was passing so many women on the run. Most were walking. The run for this course is super tough. It is all on grass and there are a couple serious hills, the biggest at the very end (just like the bike). I've run it many times, though because this is part of the HIM course I've done as well, so I knew what to expect. Some is shaded but a lot is not. It was probably about 85 degrees at this point, which isn't bad. I'll take that any day! I discovered over the past few weeks how important hydration is for me while running. I hoped I had enough to drink on the bike. I started out a little fast, then I settled in. It took me a good 3/4 mile to really get my legs. I knew I had pushed hard on the bike. Since my Garmin was reading mph, I couldn't tell what my pace was. I didn't even know my time because I hit the lap button more than once. I got backward on the mph thinking I wanted that number to be low (like with min/mi), so I thought I was running slow, but I really wasn't.
I ran a mile with no one passing me, so my confidence was high. I felt good. I started to get a stitch, so at mile 1, I grabbed 2 cups of water and drank one and poured one over my head. I had to walk momentarily to drink because I was just breathing so hard. After that, I didn't drink anymore, but I grabbed cups of water and poured them over my head. I pushed hard. My time goal for the run was under 9:00/mi. I passed DH once, and he said I looked fast. I still hadn't figured out my mph thing at that point, so I thought I was slow. The ground was pretty uneven, so I was really having to be careful. I still hadn't gotten passed and was passing lots of people. I couldn't believe it. I never saw anyone in my AG on the run. Everyone was older. I finally rounded the corner where I knew the big hill was. Once I got to the top of that hill, I knew I'd hit asphalt and I'd have about 1/3 mile to go. I pushed up that hill, but it was REALLY hard. I grabbed a water cup at the top and poured it over my head, then took off. I saw DH again at the top, and he said to pick it up. I wasn't sure I could. I heard a woman behind me say "Go Kelli!" I think she heard DH say my name. I was thinking, oh no, she's right on my tail. I tried to push harder so she wouldn't pass me, but she finally did about 1/4 mile from the finish. I had passed her earlier, though, so I didn't count her as passing me since she was really ahead of me to begin with. Once I hit the finish chute, I kicked it up. They announced my name, and I had a huge smile on my face. I knew I had a good race. I just didn't know how good. My goal was under 1:30. My run time was 27:24 (8:50/mi). Rank: 92</p><p> </p>
<p>Once I finished, I headed back to see my trainees finish their first tri. They all did awesome!! I was so proud of them all. One did the bike for a relay, and she did great. My friend who was terrified of swimming had a great race finishing in 1:41. My other friend who has gained a lot of weight and has never really done any sort of exercise before this had a great finish and ran with her 3 year old across the finish line. It was so fun!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't even look at my times until I got home. I thought I came out pretty far up, but I never thought I'd be in the top 3 because there are always some really fast women at this race. It was smaller this year, though, and not many elites. I don't even think they did awards.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't find out until later when my friend texted me and told me I placed 3rd in my AG!!!!!!</p>
<p>Total time: 1:24:12, 23/1038 OA, 3/139 AG</p>
<p>#1 in my AG was 3rd overall, so she was SUPER fast. #2 was quite a bit faster than me as well. Overall rankings included relays, which they shouldn't. So, 2 relays finished ahead of me. That would put me 21 overall. Almost top 20!! It was really cool to see my name on the first page of the results (top 25).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have always had the under 1:25 goal in my head, but I've been so far from it. I did Danskin 3 years ago in 1:31. Then, 2 years ago, I did the exact course in 1:29 on a really hot day in another race. I was happy to have gone under 1:30. My goal was really just to beat that time because that race is a smaller race (easier swim).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have never placed in a tri, so I am SUPER happy! Especially to have done it at Danskin, which is a big race. I'm really excited now about my season. I've had a couple seasons with some bad luck (flats) and not the best racing. My running is my weakness, and I'm really working hard on it. I'm ready for a great season of racing. Next race is in July -- a hilly longer race that I came in 6th in AG 2 years ago, so the bar is set high!
</p><p> </p>
<p> </p>
