Madiera Beach Tri

I'm very disappointed in myself for not blogging the last few months. During this time I trained for my second Triathlon. My first was Longleaf which was 1/4 mile swim, 9 mile bike and 3.1 mile run. Madiera Beach was 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile bike and 3.1 run (3.25 according to my Garmin). This go around I decided to join the Master's Swim at the Y which I feel really made a difference in the swim. It really helped my confidence; which I'm sure if you were standing at the water's edge with me on race day this past weekend you wouldn't have believed me. I knew I could go the distance but I feared the unknown. The unknown of the ocean and swimmers around me. I did get the privaledge of being in the same wave with 2 great friends who were able to give me encouraging words before heading into the water. Teresa said something that really put the race into perspective for me. She said "don't let anyone get in the way of YOUR race today". That helped me realize that it wasn't realistic to worry about all the other athletes around me, I was to focus on all the training I did up until this point that prepared me to run "my race". I have to admit that I had a few moments of slight panic during the swim when I felt someone claw me and another few brush up against me. I was able to talk myself down easily and finish the swim in a respectible amount of time.....This was my first open water and 1/2 mile swim....swim time 19:34



Scott and the girls were waiting to cheer me on as soon as I got out of the water. Scott said I looked alot stronger leaving the swim than what I did at Longleaf. I would have to agree, I felt like I could've swam further. I did well in transition....T1 1:41



The 15 miles on the bike were not difficult however my time was alot slower than I planned. I climbed 2 bridges which was also a first for me. I never even attempted a climb in training. I did however get comfortable going through my gears which was a step ahead since my first race. I left it in one gear the entire time training for my first tri and during my first tri.....bike time 48:56 (a Tri bike would improve this time for sure)



Another job well done transition 2. I opted to not wear socks which saved me time but did allow a couple blisters to spoil my fun....T2 1:20



The first half of the run was on the road which made it hot and sticky. The second half was on the sand. My pace was an impressive 8 until I hit the sand. I was thankful for the breeze once I neared the water but the Garmin only delivered bad news of my pace being a 9 for most of the rest of the run. The loose sand close to the finish line made it feel as though I was never going to make enough progress to cross but I dug deep and did finish strong...run 27:55

Total time 1:39:24

29th/73 in my AG

Post race I felt releaved. I think I'm ready for a break, more so mentally then physically. I feel the playfulness of summer nearing and I'm looking forward to finding enjoyment in my running again. All the classes I use to take at the Y that I enjoyed so much have been on the back burner. But I can't help but feel a little torn about waiting until this fall for my next race. Especially when I think about my Tri friends doing Dunedin and a few of the others coming up. I'm going to try to stick to my decision of taking the summer off of tri training but it's going to be difficult.