Upper Dublin Sprint Tri 2012

At it again!

So far this year, I've focused on weight loss, some swim lessons, and I joined a Tri Club Class at the Y.  Importantly, I finally broke a weight loss barrier that had been a hurdle for a dozen years... and I'm so happy about that!  I haven't done many events this year, and after a long break, I tackled my first tri of the 2012 season... Upper Dublin Sprint Triathlon, in Fort Washington PA. 

So, race report.

Slept well.  Up early.  Energetic.  Organized.  No stress.  Sunny skies.  Light wind.  Perfect Weather.

Here are the stats (minus the transitions)

Swim (350 yards)
228 10:44 2:56 (place, time, pace, minutes/100yd)

Bike (11.2 miles)
218 46:58 14.3 (place, time, speed mph)

Run (5K)
255 46:05 14:52 (place, time, pace, min/mi)

Total Time: 
1:49:04

My mantra for the day was, "Strong, Fit, Able, Determined", with Cake's "The Distance" and some other song in my head for the hills.

I raced with the "Athena" group... women >150 lbs... 
Of the 8 who were in that category, 6 finished, and I was the 6th.

Of all the women 40-44, I was 2nd to last.

According to the current listing, I was 247 of what looks to me like 257 finishers
I wasn't last! Frankly... I thought I was going to be much closer to 2 hours...

Comparing to last year:

My swim was 9 seconds faster per 100 yards than my last tri with a pool swim (Y-Tri) but the Y-Tri was 500 yards.
I wonder if I'd have kept that up. I really enjoyed the swim. 
We had the lane "to ourselves" unless someone was passing.
The pool seemed like it used a salt water system for chlorination, which is really nice.

The bike was really fun. The course was 2 loops. I felt like I did better in the 2nd loop.
I averaged 14.3 mph (my Garmin says 13.9 mph), which is really good for me...
...Considering my girls with gears ride in April was 9.5 mph average (or something ridiculous like that). 

Comparing to last year's 2 sprint tris, my biggest improvement was in the 5K, my 'worst' segment. 
I took off about 4-5 minutes.

(Y-Tri 2011 was 51:20 and SheRox Philly 2011 was 50:49; both were flat, and after 15-15.5 mi bike rides)

And my garmin watch tells me that each mile was 15 min, +/- 10-15 seconds... so I was nice and consistent,
with a slight "tick up" in the last 0.1 mile. This makes me happy!

When I was weary on the run, I called upon my "angels"... 
My friend Arasb, who died from Leukemia in 1998 (age 34)
My friend's mom, Mrs. Weinstein, who died from MS earlier this year
Gabby Vogel, who died from brain cancer in 2011 (age 5)
and last but not least, my dad, who died from sudden cardiac death in 1999 (age 56)

When it was hard to run, I remembered those who inspired me in one way or another to get fit, keep fit, and fundraise to help others.

I don't know if it was the excitement that I knew I was going to finish, or endorphins, or what...
But they were there with me in spirit, pushing me to keep going... 

Congrats & Thank Yous!

And to make the day even better... my friend completed his first triathlon! 
Congrats Colman! I'm glad you took a leap of faith and gave the 'ol triathlon a try!
You rocked it!

To all my supporters - thanks for your time and forbearance as I train (esp Marc!), emotional support & encouragement... 
and for contributing...
to the National MS Society... 
to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society... 
and I'll have another focus next year as well...
Stay Tuned!

To my dear Coaches & Class leaders Joanna, Patrick & Danny - Thank you... and keep kicking my butt! I need it!

Now, an afternoon of rest, a rest day tomorrow, then back to training for the 2012 York Y-Tri...
 
Love,
Ruth