One more pic of Kirkwood

Alligator's Creek Triathlon

My third triathlon is now under my belt! I was very nervous cuz I knew it was a tough course, but I did it!!! I drove the bike and run course yesterday, so I knew how hilly it was out in O'Fallon, MO!
I got to the race site before 6:30am and the parking lot was full. I had to park on the street. No biggie. By the time I got my bike to the transition area, it was full too! I squeezed in on an already full bike rack. I set up my TA, then went to get marked. The triathlon was already underway. It was a serpentine swim, and people were really swimming hard! This was a different group than Kirkwood! These folks were serious! I didn't let it get to me. I had decided to take it easy and relax in the pool as always to save my energy. I did it in 7mins 4 secs, and I had put down 7mins for my projected time. Almost perfect! (300yd)
When I got back to the TA, (a bit of a run) I felt disoriented. But I did my stuff, and went out on the bike. About 3 miles out, I realized I had forgotten to put on my race belt and number!!! I worried about it for a few miles, then I figured that I wouldn't have an official time, so I slowed down and tried to rest. The bike leg was super hilly, but not bad hills. Very doable. I stopped and ate a Espresso Hammer Gel about halfway through, and drank some water. AFter being off sugar for two weeks, that gel tasted scrumptious!! hahaha
It was an 18 mile bike, and it took me 1 hr and 25 mins. Very slow, but I don't care. It was HILLY!! I will be trying to build my cycling legs in the very near future. During the hard times on the bike, I kept repeating to myself, "if it wasn't hard, everyone would do it." It was a nice course though cuz there were police at all the bigger intersections and volunteers at ALL of them. I smiled for the last 3 miles of the bike. :)
When I got back to the TA, there were a couple of people from my tri club lounging around at their TA's. They had been finished for quite a while...they are fast! They both won their age groups. I remembered my race number this time, but forgot my fuel belt and water. OY! I thought I would need it because I have been getting cottonmouth on all my runs lately. But fortunately, I felt fine. I did go ahead and drink some water at the water stations. The run course was REALLY hilly too, but I chatted with people and co-miserated about the hills, so it was fun. I run on hills around home all the time, I kept telling myself. It took me 34 mins to go 5k. Oh well...it was the end of a hillly triathlon. No shame here!
I had no wrist pain at all the whole time so EVERYONE CAN STOP WORRYING ABOUT MY WRIST. The only discomfort I had was my left arm and shoulder on the bike cuz I think my aero bars are uneven...oh and my backside and leg muscles felt pretty fatigued towards the end. But it was an enjoyable race. I'm glad I did it. I hope I can find a tri to do in September, though I don't know of any right now.
No pix of this one. I had no fans and I don't think there was a pro photog anywhere.
I did get an official time and splits. I have already told you my splits. Overall time: 2 hrs 6mins.

Tour de Kirkwood Triathlon pix

Tour de Kirkwood Triathlon

It went great! I had a blast! And i stayed in one piece!!!
I had been concerned that there weren't enuf rules, but it turned out to be nicely organized and orderly. No official timing tho. From the info I have, it looks like it took me about an hour and a half.
The first heat started at 7:35am. I was in the third heat, and the race director let me and my friends share a swim lane. That made a huge difference! I was so relaxed! I expended very little energy, so I had more juice for the bike and run legs. The swim leg took me 11 mins to do 450 yds. I was able to get myself out of the pool with one arm too! The swim felt like a nice relaxing practice swim...mmm!
My transition felt quicker cuz i cut out the bike gloves, camelback, and list. But my friend tells me it still took me 2.5 mins! Oh well. hahahaha
I got on my bike and was fine. No pain in the wrist at all. There were lots of rolling hills, so I was gearing ALLL the time. The streets weren't blocked off, so I was lucky to get thru the first two big intersections with green lights. Got stuck at one red light on a very busy street for what felt like 3 minutes! That was frustrating. I took one wrong turn on the bike course but figured out my mistake almost immediately. I was just happy to finish the bike leg with some energy left and nothing broken! 10.6 miles in 45 mins.
Transition two felt fast, but probably wasn't. I saw my family at the 'run out' and they gave me even more energy to run out fast. As I got out on the run course, the first mile was pretty much uphill. I was thinking, "it doesn't feel like running the mountains helped!" But the second half was mostly downhill...yay! I met a nice person and chatted to make the run go by faster. It is always fun to run with someone. Anyway, the finish line was at the bottom of a hill too, so I sprinted in, very strong! My family was "impressed". It was great to have them there. About 30 mins to do 2.3 miles. Slow but I'm still building back my speed. I was running a 9:45 pace before I got injured.
My friends in the race also did well and had a great time. Thanks for all the positive thoughts (you know who you are!)
Pictures coming soon.

Pic from my vacation

Don't worry! I stayed active and didn't gain any weight! yay! Colorado is beautiful...and cool...and no humidity! woohooo!

Triathlon tomorrow

I did my first real bike ride today in preparation for the Tour de Kirkwood triathlon tomorrow. It went fine. No real pain to speak of. I clipped in and out without incident. My legs are tired from not cycling for a long time, but I wanted to try it and see if I was capable of doing the bike course. (whether my wrist could take it or not)
A group of us rode the actual bike course, which is a 10.6 mile loop. I did it. It was fine. whew!

I recently had a most wonderful swim workout. So I'm feeling pretty good about the swim. And while I was in Colorado, I did some run workouts, so I am not worrying about the run. Hopefully, running up and down mountains in thin air will have prepared me enuf for the run leg.

So the triathlon is 450yd swim, 10.6 mile bike and 2.3 mile run. Wish me luck!!