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.
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.
posted by crazee4sports at 5:25 PM
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