Women's Super Sprint Triathlon Race Report
375m swim/ 10km bike/ 2.5km run
Kelso Conservation - Milton, ON
Swim
This is probably the one sport than I am most proud of.  According to my HR monitor I stopped swimming and was coming out of the water in 16:41 - I felt good about that.  Even though I had a practice swim before the race, the swim started off a bit rough, because I either hyperventilated or swam too fast  (or maybe that's just one in the same).  I started laughing thinking "holy shit, I can't believe I'm doing this", and that didn't help with my breathing which then led to swallowing some water.  So I stopped to look at my HR (heart rate), it was flashing 150 (normally I swim at 136) so I knew I needed to relax and allow myself to get into the groove.  I treaded water just a few seconds, took some deep relaxing breaths and got back at it - pace wise I was where I wanted to be, technique wise I felt good, chin tucked, hips rolling - the only thing I had no idea would be so difficult is swimming in a straight line.  Overall I held my pace with the front crawl never having to stop so now it's just a matter of getting faster in this area.
That's me swimming (I'm the last one)
Everyone getting ready for the swim
Bike
The first part of the bike race was difficult, just getting out of the park was a slow incline and from then on it was hills.  I never felt like I could give my legs a rest, the lactic acid in my legs was burining like crazy.

When I checked my HR monitor is was 164 - which was way too high (I'm usually around 140).  I was not having fun at this point, I didn't even remember to take deep breaths to try and bring my HR down, I was wearing my Live Strong band, didn't even remember to look at that for inspiration - finally on the last hill I had to get off and just walk a bit, afterall I was only pedalling 8 km/hr. 

I had nothing left in my legs.  My stomach was also starting to bug me, and I couldn't fathom another sip of Gatorade.  Finally I felt like I could get on my bike and made it to the turning point.  From there on, it was mostly down hill, finally picking up some speed flying at a whopping 37 km/hr downhill, but then a few hills popped up again bringing me down to 10-12 km/hr.

I was really disappointed in my bike time. I thought I had improved my cycling skills over the last few months, but I put in a better time in the Becel Ride for Heart, than here.  I should have been able to finish this in 30 minutes, instead of the 49:41 - just horrible.
Run
I knew going in I was going to walk because of an injury, so I didn't expect much.  After such a shitty bike ride, I sort of looked forward to this as I knew I could speed walk through it.  Well the first kilometer of the course was tough as it involved walking on rough, uneven gravel-like trails (there was even sand at one point).  I didn't like it. But the hardest part was right at the beginning where there was a steep short hill that aggravated my lower back.  Because of that I didn't walk as fast as I wanted to and was jut looking forward to crossing the finish line.
Finally at 1:38:28 I crossed the finished line and became a triathlete!!

When  I crossed my friend was there waiting for me and the first words that came out of my mouth were "that was so fuck'in hard"- I thought I was going to cry, mostly because my stomach was just feeling really gross at this point.

Overall this was a really hard race. I later learned that for the Ontario Women's Triathlon series, it was the hardest of the 3.  I didn't expect it to be so hilly.  I thought I trained hard for this, but maybe it wasn't enough, maybe I over estimated  what I was cabpable of, maybe no amount of hard training was going to combat the extra weight that I carry.  The swim was my favourite part - was really disappointed in my bike performance.
Final Reults:  Overall All 291/294  Age Group: 107/109
375 m swim (17:34)  10 km bike (49:41) 2.5km run (31:14)
Total Time: 1:38:28

Special thanks to Scott (my physiotherapist ) for helping me with my injury and getting me prepared for this race, and Blair & James, who were my unofficial triathlete coaches. They taught me so much - how to train, how to plan a schedule, train with a HR monitor, improve my cycling skills and more.  Thanks guys.  And I'd also like to thank everyone for listening to me talk tri for the last 3 months!!  You have 5 months off then it starts up again. 

Milton - I will be back next year to kick your ass on the bike part!!

Krista
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