Seafair Tri '05 & '06 and Kids Tri

Seafair Sprint Triathlons
(Photo: KB & Darcy post-race)>

July 15, 2005

3rd in AG (45-49)

Swim: 17:18

T1: 1:43

Bike: 38:03

T2: 1:16

Run: 24:28 (7:52 pace)

Total: 1:22:49

July 16, 2006

2nd in AG (45-49)

Swim: 14:27

T1: 1:30

Bike: 37:33

T2: 1:10

Run: 24:04 (7:45 pace)

Total: 1:18:44

The Seafair tri is a popular mid-summer race in Seattle. The swim is a triangle course in Andrews Bay at Seward Park, the bike ride takes you along Lake Washington Blvd. and onto the express lanes of I-90 for an out-and-back ride. The run goes around Seward Park mostly along the lakeshore, except for about 1/3 mile "tour" of the "upper park" (i.e.; there's wicked steep hill 2 miles into the run). I've done this race yearly since '04.

In 2005 when she was 9, Camille and a couple pals did the "Kids Triathlon". The kids pretty much run through chest-deep water for about 50 yards for the "swim", then ride a level mile and run something like 1/2 mile.

Here is Camille getting mentally focused and centered before her swim send-off. Note the concentration as she visualizes herself slicing through the water, maybe silently chanting "I am sleek, fast and strong. I am a seal. I will move through the water like a torpedo." Probably she is scoping out the course and considering whether to swim a direct line or go wide around the buoys. OH WAIT! Her skin is wet... She is actually in T1 and finished with the swim! And not exactly in an "action pose", she looks like she's chatting....or loafing! Clearly, this is someone else's child, not mine.

Check out the girl in pink (click to enlarge) . Maybe Camille passed her on the run and she is making a mental note of who she is (probably checking a race number and age marked on the backs her calves) and will later go home and look up her results, then Google her past races and try and take her down next time they meet in competition. Or maybe she just wonders where she got that soda pop.

Camille with friends and grandma.

Federal Escape '07 - Worlds Qualifier

Federal Escape Olympic

Regional Qualifier - 2008 Worlds

July 28, 2007

1st in AG/18th OA

Swim: 29:50

T1: 55.3

Bike: 1:12:42

T2: 38.3

Run: 44:18

Total: 1:28:24

From USAT's website:

Team USA was created by USA Triathlon to be a team of age group/amateurs who will best represent the United States and compete in the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) world championships, which attracts the best athletes representing over 50 countries each year.

Remember Dave & Francie who I met at USAT Nationals in June '07? By placing in the top 16 of our respective divisions, Dave & I both qualified for the 2007 ITU Worlds race to be held in Hamburg, Germany which were to be held in September 2007. What with plenty other life and financial issues on my plate, I never considered flying off to Germany on short notice to compete in a race that I wouldn't be very competitive in. But Dave was enthusiastic and encouraging and at least planted the seed of an idea: If not 2007 Worlds, what about 2008? That race will be held in Vancouver B.C. and a regional qualifier race was to be held in just a few weeks in the Seattle area. I should try it, he suggested.

.

I hadn't planned on doing this race - the Federal Escape - this year, but the idea of maybe qualifying for Worlds stuck with me. I would have to place first in my AG to qualify. That might be possible if a Nancy A. didn't show up for the race - she's a local who consistently beats me by several minutes (one exception was Cascades Edge this year, a day she had issues with muscle cramps and other things; other than a bad luck day like that for her, she should be beating me in every race - she is a fast runner!). Even though it was a relatively "small" race, it was a regional qualifier and could potentially attract more competitive people hoping to capture a Worlds spot. Because of the "aging up" rule, any woman who would turn 50 in 2008 would be competing in my AG and could claim the Worlds slot if they had the fastest time, so my competition in this race potentially included 48 year-olds. With Vancouver just up the road, I had to give it a shot.

The race itself was unremarkable. It was held at 5 Mile Lake in Federal Way. The lake is an odd iodine-red color, the bike course was 4 loops of rolling hills and turns around the lake (what some would call a "technical course") and the run was 2 loops with a few easy to moderate hills. Nothing really stands out about it other than I felt like I worked hard in the run and was able to hold onto a fairly steady pace for the about-10K distance (I'm not sure it was exactly a 10K, my time seems a bit too good, but it was about 1:45 faster than last year on this course, so that's progress). Luckily for me, Nancy A. did not race and I did manage to place 1st in AG, including those who would age-up by 2008. So I am Vancouver-bound now, having put my deposit down already. I'm proud to have qualified, but can't say that I'm excited about it quite yet. There are the team tee-shirts, matching racing outfits, the marching in the parade, the spectators who cheer "USA, USA" and all that... I'm sure it will be quite an experience.

I kind of thought 2008 might be the season I just have fun with this triathlon thing, maybe reacquaint myself with a more recreational summer, some camping, hiking, road trips....like I used to do. Any maybe I still will; this race is in early June, so if I train well in the spring for it, maybe I'll coast through the summer without big goals looming. Or maybe I'll try my first Half Iron Distance race. We'll just see. : )

I used to make regular trips to the Desert Southwest for backpacking trips in pretty places like this:

Dayhike & Chip Time

Day Hike
9/27/07
Mary, Ridge (her dog) and I hiked a quiet, easy and pleasant 6 miles along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River recently. Here are a few photos from the outing.
Fremont Oktoberfest Results Posted

It looks like my "official" time of 22:08 was posted for the Fremont Oktoberfest, putting me at 1st in AG (40 and above) and 6th OA. Posting my ACTUAL time of 21:38 wouldn't have made any difference in the placing, but would reflect my PR of a 6:58 pace. I'll just have to be content knowing I did it and try to NEVER cross the timing mat 30 seconds early again.

Oktober in September & Sub-7

Fremont Oktoberfest 5K
9/23/07

Official time: ??? 22:08 ????

My watch time: 21:38 (~6:58 pace)

I dragged Camille out of her warm bed a couple years ago to "Run with the Elves" at the kid's version of the Jingle Bell Run. She refuses to join me for any more of that early, cold winter morning nonsense! The expression on her face kind of says it all.

After my new and improved run pace at last week's Kirkland Triathlon, I started to believe in the possibility of a sub-7 pace for a 5K. The Fremont Oktoberfest 5K seemed like just the ticket, since it is a fairly flat course and this year, for the first time, a full-5K distance.

I biked a somewhat hilly 38 miles the day before and enjoyed more wine than I am accustomed to that evening, but thought I'd just drop on into this race and see what I might accomplish. Maybe I was a little too excited, because when I heard "5, 4, 3, 2, 1..." and took off running I was abruptly stopped by shouts from the pack behind me informing me that was the Beer Belly Division that had just sent off. DUH! The good news is that no one let me continue, mistaking me for an actual Beer Belly participant, prestigious as that may be.

My beer belly:

From the race web site:
"Beer Belly Division:
Don’t let that Beer Belly stop you from running! Join the elite Beer Belly Division, where you will be treated like Oktoberfest royalty.
If you are asking yourself, “How do I become a member of this highly acclaimed group of runners?” the answer is jump on a scale and see if you are qualified for this prestigious position. Those men who are 200 lbs. plus and women who are 160 lbs. and over are eligible to enter this division. Besides earning the respect and admiration of fellow racers who recognize your achievements, you will be honored with an unfair advantage of starting first, and thus ensuring your possibility of getting to the beer garden finish line before the pack!"

The bad news is that I crossed the timing mat on that false start, which will have started my "clock" via the timing chip, even though I stopped, went back and started with the main group 30 seconds later. Unless the timing company agrees to adjust my time by that 30 second difference (hopefully they'll see the 2 starts that my timing chip will have registered), I will be stuck with an "official" time of 22:08 giving me a pace of 7:08 or so. (Adjusting my time will not be any priority for them since there was a larger than expected turnout and the race started with probably half the pack having no bib number or timing chip. They will have a nightmare sorting that all out!).

According to my watch, my actual time was 21:38, which would have given me a 6:58 pace! So regardless of official results and where I might end up in the placing, I am quite happy to have achieved another PR! Some of the other races I plan to do this fall will not have as flat a course, so I will probably be kissing goodbye the sub-7 pace for awhile. It was nice to know you. Maybe further on down the road, another time?

Anyone want a cat? Two cats? Lil' Orange Feller was making typing at the keyboard quite challenging. He's one of my current foster kitties (I also have the low-maintenance Sassafrass). Do click on and enlarge the photo on the left to warm your cat-lovin' heart (if you have one). I will tell you all about my fostering and former Crazy Cat Lady phase another time. For now, if you know anyone looking for a nice cat or two...

The Danskin Report '07

August 19, 2007
9th in Elite Division, 11th OA

Swim 10:32
T1 1:56
Bike: 35:21
T2: 1:36
Run: 22:34 (7:16 pace)
Total: 1:12:00

Photo: A future Elite wave? (Camille & friends)

This was my 4th Danskin, 5th triathlon of this season and 21st triathlon since 2004 when I first became infected with the triathlon virus. For the first time, I entered as an “Elite”, having qualified by placing in my age group last year. I knew I’d be giving up a probable age group (AG) placing or win by doing this and not earn a USAT ranking for this race (one seasonal goal being to get my required 3 USAT sanctioned races done so as to earn a yearly ranking). I got busy with my homework and looked over past years’ race results and Googled every woman entered as an Elite. When I found results for someone in a race I had not done, I could compared their swim, bike or run splits with other people in that race who were known to me that I had raced against. So I came up with some ideas on where I might place in this group. Best case/worst case guesses. I was pretty confident I would not be last among the 17 or so signed up and I knew there were definitely 8 who would beat me by many minutes, up to 14 minutes or so. Plus a few more who would be close, maybe within a minute or two. So now that it’s over, I’m happy to report that not only are my powers of prediction pretty good, but that I did meet several goals and achieved pretty close to a “best case” outcome.

First I’ll tell you about the race. It rained. There was a head wind on part of the bike leg. At least it wasn’t cold though. The Elites are the first wave of a race, which was a huge plus to doing this. The Danskin is notoriously crowded, making the swim course a challenge of threading your way through lots of obstacles (other swimmers, floaters, side-strokers and whatnot) and the bike is a bit risky what with all the passing and 3 abreast knots of riders to negotiate.

The gun went off and I had a nice strong swim. I’ve been a little frustrated with some swims this season not feeling all that sharp, but this was better. I don’t know that my time reflects it since a couple other people I compare myself to still out-swum me, but it felt like I worked hard. Bonus that in the last 100 yards of the swim I managed to overtake a group of about 4 swimmers who had been ahead of me earlier in the swim. There is Mary M in the photo, the swim coordinator cheering me on and wearing her trademark "Get Out There" jacket (or "Get Over It" as some of us joke).

Out of the water and back to the bike racks for transition 1, I fumbled a bit and didn’t have a very slick T1, which is usually something I’m good at. My pal Darcy says she was right there, in my face, yelling at me. Never saw or heard her.

Now for the bike leg, a 12 mile ride. I worked it hard and though I expected this to be the place that I would be overtaken several times by stronger riders, it only happened twice. It’s difficult to compare this year’s bike time to last year’s. Even though it’s the same course, the weather conditions and headwinds vary. But I did have a clear course this year and no other riders to deal with, so I expected a faster time. Alas! It was only 2 seconds faster this year. My mph average was 21. The fastest woman on the bike, Jill F., a local who is 43, averaged a sizzling 25.3 mph (followed by 24.4 for the out-of-town pro who dropped in to win the race). I mention Jill’s age since one of the things I am proud of is having a good race and going with the Elites at age 50. All the other Elites except Jill and me were mid-20 to 30-somethings. Young pups. Do I get a handicap? An age-grading adjustment? Afraid not.

On to T2, then out the chute for the 5K run. The run is so mental for me. It’s about hanging onto a pace despite the temptation to fade into a more comfortable zone. I usually find some little mantra to repeat in my head to keep me focused at the same time distracting me from discomfort and negative thoughts like “I’m tired. My legs don’t feel good. When is this over? Are we there yet? Just one small rest?” I love the mile markers so I can tell how I’m doing. First mile: 7:14. Yes! Now the challenge was to hang onto that. In past seasons, my first mile would be decent but I’d slump by the 3rd. Second mile: 7:16. Great. The third mile in this race has the hill. Not a long hill, not a terribly steep hill. But a hill that can throw off your pace, make you breathless and nauseated and dizzy. So I run the damn hill. “Hhh—ayy!” I grunt. That translates to “Hi Scott, how you doing? Are you enjoying that nice latte’ on this rainy Sunday morning?” A friend from swimming saw me and had called out a hello to me as I was shuffling over the crest of the hill. Well, now for the downhill home stretch, about the last ½ mile. I always imagine and visualize just going fast here, flying, zooming, sweeping down like an eagle. I mean, how hard can a downhill finish be? Well, it’s hard if you are trying to go fast and already tired. I love the finish line part. It’s what you look forward to but it’s over so fast. Was it two people who passed me on the run and one that I passed? (I expected to be overtaken more than that).
Here's my typical bendover finish.

Anyway, I finished 9th in the Elite wave (though I should have been 10th; Teresa N. had a flat tire, otherwise she would have placed Top 3 most likely). Overall, I was 11th, with 2 Age Groupers bumping me down a couple notches. Despite a fumbled T1 and not improving on the bike, my average run pace of 7:16 is my best ever, whether triathlon or just a 5K, and I am happy about that!

Although I enjoyed a wide open race course (except for the swim start), I could see the congestion as I came back on the bike, encountered a very hectic transition area at T2 and viewed the packed swim course when I ran past that. I heard of many crashes on the bike. The rain, slick roads and closer wave send-offs than usual (thanks to the City of Seattle wanting to get this race over sooner and re-open roads due to construction issues in the area), made for a crazy-crowded race. But the general euphoria of race day seemed to predominate despite those challenges. I enjoyed my energetic euphoric haze for several hours, shared congratulations, happy hugs and race debriefing with my racing friends Ann, Gina, Val, Hillary, Sandy, Darcy and others. Then brunched at Leschi with my good pal Darcy, went home to laundry, dealing with wet race gear and a warm shower. I was all ready for a well-deserved nap (I had been up since 4 a.m.), when I saw that race results were already posted online. Ach! Pouring over all that must be the 5th leg of a triathlon (the 4th leg is nutrition, isn't it?). Here is Darcy and her family post-race. Darcy had a fine race, finishing 8th in her very competitive AG and coming off of injuries from last season. Darcy - we'll get that bib number OUT of your gear bag before T2 next time, OK?

The Danskin Report '06

August 20, 2006
2nd in AG, 19th OA

Swim: 13:45

T1: 2:03

Bike: 35:23

T2: 1:09

Run: 23:39 (7:37 pace)

Total: 1:16:01

Sunrise on Race Day

It was another fine race with perfect weather. I was up at 4 a.m. and driving in to the Mount Baker neighborhood by 5:15 to score a parking spot near race venue (the early bird gets the parking as they block the streets to outside traffic a little later).

Because this is my 3rd year at the Danskin, my 14th triathlon and I volunteer coach with Mary M’s triathlon training business, I’ve gotten to know a lot of people, so the morning was busy enough with chatting, scoping out the transition area for all the start/finish areas for each leg of the race, visiting the Porta Potty multiple times, having a warm up jog and finally getting into my wetsuit for the start.

Abuzz with excited anticipation and anchored by the focus and mental readiness of “Things I Know” to give me confidence (I have a list of mantras and positive statements that I go over and over), I finally was front and center at the start of my wave ready for the gun to go off. The race takes on a life of it’s own from there and you just go for the ride, hang on and endure the sensations of discomfort as you work hard through it.

The swim felt steady and strong as I threaded my way through literally hundreds of slower swimmers from the waves that had gone out before me. When you swim hard, do you make underwater animal noises like “Arrrruugh! Uuhhhhgph! Rrrrruuuaa!” as you exhale? I do. To get an idea of just how thick the water is with swimmers, check out the “photo gallery” here: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/281975_triathlon21.html

I charged out of the water snorting and huffing. My dad once saw me come out of the swim and said I looked like a “raging bull”, which I assume was a compliment. And Mary M, the swim coordinator for the Danskin, tapped me on the back and said something encouraging (or so she says, I never heard or saw her) and she also says I just about ran her over.

On to T1 (transition 1) to rip off wetsuit, grab bike and gear and go for a nice 12 mile ride on the I-90 express lanes. Hard work! I couldn’t have gone any harder and managed to improve my time over last year, though my pace of 21 mph pales compared to some of those Elites above me and to Hillary, the woman who would take first in our AG.

In to T2 (you guessed it, transition 2) to re-rack bike, change shoes and dash out for a 5K run. Could I have pushed a little harder here? Maybe? I improved my pace over last year, which was a big goal of mine (I went from 8:11 to 7:37 per mile average). But what about that triathlon I did 3 weeks ago with a 10K run in it – my pace was 7:25 there. That pace would have made this race a tie or very close to it. Ah, Monday morning quarterbacking!. Actually, Hillary saw us pass each other around the 2 mile mark (going opposite directions; she started in the wave 4 minutes behind me) and was sure I was ahead of her, time-wise, at that point. Which is possible since the last mile of the race has a hill that slays me. Hillary is an outstanding runner, who does ½ marathons at a 7:15 pace, so it was probably that final mile where she overtook me and brought it on home. I’m able to speed up near the end, but barely. A better runner will really make that last mile count and she did! Hillary & me - >

I finished, pleased with my 1:16:01 time, about 1:30 better than last year. If you look at the splits, you’ll see that my swim time this year is slower that last year. The good news is that the course was shorter last year and average times this year were around 1:30 slower (according to Mary M.), so my swim was actually ok, a little better than last year.

Other than not capturing 1st in age again, I met all my goals: improve the bike to at least 21 mph (just barely made that), get my run to under 8 min pace (slam dunk), bring my overall placing up (did it: from 24 to 21, however, I don’t think I ought to compare myself to relay teams, so let’s just call that 19th overall). I have a few “friendly rivals” out there that out swam me and/or out-biked me, but since it’s the overall time that counts in this race, I’ll be satisfied.

Another comparison: There were 24 women who went out in the Elite division. My time puts me at 13th in their group. I could have gone as an Elite this year, but wanted one more shot at an Age Group placing and to obtain a ranking for USAT this year (going Elite, you don’t get an age-group ranking). Next year I will go Elite (assuming I’ve trained something along the lines of this year), which makes me nervous already, a year away! But the great thing about going Elite (which you can choose it if you’ve been an age-group placer), is you are THE FIRST wave. No crowded swim course of slower people to wind through, no constant passing of other bikers. That can be a significant advantage.

After the race, comes the real endurance event of hanging around for a few hours, first in a haze of euphoria and camaraderie as you visit and congratulate all your friends, snack, get pictures taken, and in general strut like a rock star in your little lycra tri outfit feeling proud and happy (oh, and in my case, pick up my diamond necklace since my race number was one of the several that were randomly drawn for this prize; I would rather have a new bike trainer, but, ok, diamonds I guess). Later, the fatigue sets in, some of your friends have gone home but you stick it out to hear the top 3 winners in each age group announced and take a look at the preliminary results.

The race glow continues awhile - days, weeks, months, as debriefing of family and friends must occur, several trips to the computer to check for race results and analysis of same must be done, waiting for the race photos to get posted, seeing your workout pals and trying to be humble and gracious as they ask you about it and congratulate you – all of this is good and extends the experience.

Anyway, that’s the report. If you want to browse some more, here’s the link: http://results.timberlinetiming.com/results/index.cfm

Race day pals Ann, Ann, (me), Gina, Val - >

(Val went out with the Elites this race! She has always dominated her age group in her races. A couple years older than me, I got some vicarious satisfaction out of her representing some of more mature athletes alongside the younger elites.)

The Danskin Report '05

8/21/05
1st in AG/24th OA

Swim: 12:27

T1 2:15

Bike: 36:02

T2: 1:10

Run: 25:22 (8:11 pace)

Total: 1:17:16

This is the race in which I wanted to place 1st in age. I had other goals around an improved run pace, bike pace, feeling stronger and more confident in general - things within my power to improve on based on better training over the prior year. The thing I never have control over is just who shows up on race day and what training, goals and natural abilities they bring to their race. So I didn't put too much into my idea of "success" depending on a 1st place or even placing at all. There were other ways to measure success.

Having said that, I thought 1st was within the realm of possibility. With hard work, with some luck...who knows? I had been reluctant to say that out loud though. Wouldn't that be too bold and cocky? Who does she think she is? And if I didn't achieve a 1st, then wouldn't that just be kind of pathetic and embarrassing? To hell with that! I believe there is power in saying something out loud and so I put aside my doubts and false modesty about it. One day at the lake with friends, I answered their question about how I wanted to do with first "I want to do my best..." then, "I want to improve over last year...", then "I hope I can be in the top 3 this year..." and finally I laughed and said "I WANT TO BE FIRST IN MY AGE GROUP!" So there. Why is that so hard? Is it a female thing? A generational thing? Because I've never done much competitively prior to this? Who knows?

It wasn't until an hour or more after my finish that the top 3 finishers in each age group were announced over the P.A. system. Darcy was with me and we froze as we listened. They announced one woman's name as the 3rd place finisher (ok, not me - my heart rate picked up), they announced another name for 2nd place (not me - ACH! So am I first or did I not make the top 3 at all????). Then they announced... my name!! That was a happy moment, but it was all the more special because my good friend was there and it was her bursting into tears about it, that got me going. I'm so glad I had a pal to share that moment with. I'll never forget what it felt like to have a loyal friend share the thrill with me. OK, so that sounds super corny and all, but I'm a lone coyote in so many ways, that I appreciate the moments that solidify a friendship all the more. Darcy had a happy day as well, making into the top 10 (9th) of her AG.

Here is what I wrote to a friend in '05 right after that race:

I’m feeling less giddy now and the temporary insanity seems to have passed (the bursting into 5-second tearful episodes every few hours throughout the day). Maybe it’s because the next race is in 2 days. Or maybe it’s the road trip/camping trip thing I plan to do with Camille next week that will severely interfere with training. Anyway, so here I am, very happy to have met and even exceeded my goal again! As I study the other racers’ times, it makes me nervous to see the many ways people are very close or even gaining on me during a race. Well, this was my lucky day and it will take continued hard work and some luck to do a repeat performance of this. In any event, these events are all fun and offer different challenges each race.

I see a picture where I’m just standing still so I can hit the button on my damn watch for my splits. I better not waste that kind of time in the future! ; )

I am very happy to have accomplished this!

The Danskin Report '04

Danskin Sprint
August 15, 2004

4th in AG (45-49), 53 OA (of 3442)
Swim: 20:16
T: 1:57
Bike: 37:05
T2: 1:37
Run: 27:31 (pace 8:52)
Total: 1:29:28

Living in Seattle, it's hard not to have heard of "The Danskin", or know some woman who has done it. For years, as I vaguely became aware of triathlons, I thought I might someday do one. After all,

1. I could swim. I was on swim team in high school (Federal Way High School, Class of '75) and had done some swimming for fitness on and off over the years.

2. I could run. In the 1980's, I experimented with jogging, did a few 5Ks and even made it through a marathon when in my 20's (with a very unspectacular time of around 4:20). I wasn't fast, but I could get through it.

3. I could bike. Recreational cycling I did occasionally, sometimes hauling gear in my panniers to camp under the stars on San Juan Island trips. In 1991, I did the STP 2 day ride (Seattle to Portland, about 200 miles total) and averaged 16 mph for each 100-mile day.

String these activities all together and maybe I could claim having done an Iron distance tri (um, with each event separated by a "transition" of several years)? Just kidding.

I enjoyed a generally active lifestyle and hiked, backpacked, did aerobics classes, played some softball and volleyball, took the stairs instead of the elevator, raked instead of using the blower, carried the baby on my back instead of pushing a stroller.... Oh, there's that baby now! Camille is on the right, she must have been about 3 years old. She didn't become a triathlon orphan until later, when she was 8.

After a couple of years of overhearing chatter at the gym from a younger group of moms, my interest finally piqued. If they can do it, so can I, I thought. They were strong and energetic in aerobics classes, but I was at least as fit as they were. A little competitiveness stirred in me. Not only would I sign up for the Danskin, I wanted to have a better finishing time than these gals.

In March of '04, I reacquainted myself with swimming and running and maybe got a workout or two in each week, while continuing aerobics classes. By April, the old bike was tuned and on the road again. To further prepare, I picked the brains of anyone who I met who had done a triathlon and was introduced to a whole new world. A suggestion I picked up in the locker room after a lap swim was to go to Mary Meyer's swim clinics. So I did. I had been a decent swimmer, but never had heard any of the technique tips I picked up at that first clinic. Ideas like swimming horizontally, rotation, catching the water, not crossing the midline had never occurred to me, but made perfect sense. I still work on these technique points (when fatigue sets in or focus lags, it's easy to slip into old bad habits). From the clinic, I went to an Intro to Triathlon presentation and got tons of useful info for a first timer. I haven't stopped recommending that to people since. Once I started training in earnest, I lost interest in running to the T.V. every time Derek Jeter, the object of my schoolgirl crush, came up to bat. One must make sacrifices for their sport.


At first I didn't tell anyone that I had registered for the race, thinking that if it seemed too daunting a task, I could quietly slip out the back door on this thing and no one would ever have to know. But pretty soon people knew and what came from my mouth was a lot of "I just want to finish". As a month or two of training went by, I saw that "just finishing" was aiming much too low, and I continued to upgrade my goals as I learned more about my abilities. By July, I felt I could try my first race as a warm-up experience so did Seafair. Placing 3rd, forced me to reconsider my goals yet again for the Danskin. I went from "just finish" or "place in the upper 50% of my AG" to aiming for top 10% of my age group. By a week before the Danskin, I was bold enough to say "Top 10 of my Age Group" - that's what I want (not just top ten percent, which would have been about 30 women).


I like to share that thought process because I think it is so typical to underestimate our potential or be unrealistic about goals. I came into this endeavor as athletically better-than-average but untrained, a middle-aged mom, with maybe a few athletic skills and experiences in my bag of tricks. I was sure everyone else came from competitive backgrounds, college-level training and had all sorts of other intimidating athletic resumes'. Aim low and cling to fear, and you will sabotage yourself.

Though this wasn't my first tri, it was "The One" that this season was about. The race was challenging and fun, and all the happy talk I'd heard about Danskin appeared to be true - how supportive everyone is, what a "feel good" experience it is and all that. The race was great and I was so happy to have placed 4th in my AG!

Well, I was in great shape and excited, not burned out, so I figured, why stop now? I went on to do a couple more races in the next few weeks and will have something to say about those experiences another time (Lake Sammamish sprint and The Reebok sprint). I think he misses me:

Kirkland Tri '07

9/16/07
1st in AG, 2nd in Masters, 11th OA (missed Top Ten placing by 7 seconds)

Swim: 15:16
T1: 1:44
Bike: 40:51
T2: 1:17
Run: 22:09 (7:23 pace)

Total: 1:21:17

Photo: Does my Camille have a future in OW swimming? She best ditch the wet denim first.

Kirkland will probably be the last tri of the season for me (though I have been known to drop into races at the last minute and Black Diamond is lurking next weekend; knowing that it will definitely be the last of the season, I may get a restless urge to get one more in).

This is the second year I have chosen races that will earn me a ranking with Tri Northwest (Kirkland will be my 3rd Tri NW ranked race, with Seafair and Cascade's Edge sprints being the other two). I also try to earn a USAT ranking and so did the required 3 for that (USAT Age Group Nationals, Federal Escape and Heart of the Sound; I did do Danskin, also a USAT ranked race, but I went with the Elite wave there, so did not earn a ranking due to some rule about that). ANYWAY...Kirkland, my 7th and probably last race of '07.

As usual, I checked the online confirmations to see who was signed up in my age group. Since I am usually familiar with the local who's who for women near my AG, I was fairly confident I would place in this race, unless there were some ringers dropping in out of nowhere. Bridgit D. from Portland would be sure to surpass me by many minutes, but since this wasn't a USAT race (where you "age up" into the next division if your birthday puts you there anytime during the current calendar year), she would stay safely in the 45-49 AG and away from me! Sadly for me, she will be 50 next season and will dominate any race she shows up for and I will not enjoy quite the fabulous ride I have this season . Well, I'll have more to say about that another time since I believe my biggest goal is to improve on my own times more than capture as many podium finishes as I can.

It was a fairly routine race morning: arrive during darkness, set up transition, visit with people, jog, stretch and suit up. And then the long wait until my AG send off approximately 45 minutes after the first wave. My wave included all women 45 and older, just after the men, 45 and older. There was one wave behind mine, I believe it was the "Tri-It" wave. I toyed with the idea of going out with the Elite wave just to get out of this late start. I don't think I really belong there for this race since men and women start together, but I since I ended up 11th overall for the women, maybe I could have gotten away with it...? Maybe next year. After you see the photos of my swim exit, maybe you'll urge me to do that.

There was a south wind and the water was choppy and challenging at first (and I believe I swallowed more lake water than I have all season), but after the first turn it improved some and then a lot at the final turn when the wind was at my back. I think just 1 or two women from my wave were ahead of me... The end of the swim came and I was up and out and locked into a cluster of slower people jockeying for a way through.

These are pictures of my swim exit. That would be me on the far right with the orange cap trying to pass. Most people were, well, sort of, um, "recovering" from the swim, whilst I was attempting a speedier experience. The red-shirted dude apparently was too, and it looks like we got to jostling a bit (good thing I grew up with a brother, as I'm no stranger to shoving and elbowing). I yelled COME ON! COME ON! LET'S MOVE IT!" as I negotiated my way past people. Not my best sportsmanlike, role modeling moment, but geez! Really! This is a race! I really am supportive of people of any ability taking this on, but it's hard to shift from my competitive self to my nice, "no, after you, I insist" side in the middle of a race. After bumping around on the swim exit, I believe I could have a future in roller derby or mud wrestling. Actually, racing or not, there's no excuse to be rude. If I was, it was more about beng in a little overly excited and I'll hold a door open for someone this week to make up for it.

On to T1 and more dodging people with a bike in tow and then I'm off for a hilly 12 mile ride. It did feel like hard work and I didn't feel like I was very fast, but my time shows about a 50 second faster split from last year at this race. OK, good! I had really slacked off on my training the previous 3 weeks, so was pleased to see this. On one particularly nasty hill, a petite woman with "55" on her calf (her age) passes me and that was the last time I saw her for awhile. I was puzzled - who had I missed in checking the pre-race confirmations? Would I be able to catch her on the run? Sure, she wasn't in my age group, but you try to do as well as possible and she would knock me down one notch in the Masters results if she stayed ahead of me. Down the big hill near the end and on to T2 and more dodging people....

Ah, the run now. Ugh! It started with a moderate hill and I immediately went to a mental chant of "settle in, settle in, settle in". I kept that particular mantra up for quite awhile since I felt like I was not in a settled in space at all, it was more like a frantic struggle to keep going. But the more I run, the more I learn that if it is feeling bad, it's probably for the very good reason that I am working it hard. And so I was: this would be my fastest 5K pace to date at 7:08. Yippee!!! OK, OK, since originally writing that sentence, it seems the timing company re-posted the run paces and I actually ran a 7:23 pace; apparently it wasn't a full 5K distance. So, no Yippee this time. I finally found "55" during the run. I knew she was good, so didn't want to pass her without some reserve in me to hang onto a lead. So I hung back for a minute or so and decided with about a mile to go that I could pick up the pace again and hang onto it or try increasing it if I had to. I don't know if I love or hate that feeling when someone tough is close behind you and you don't know quite what they are capable of. I must have picked up the pace since I finally dropped the man who kept me on his heels for 2.5 miles. Later when I checked results, I saw that "55" was Ginny P. a woman whose name I had noticed placing well in her division going back several years and beating me in earlier races. She's a consistent, tough competitor and one of the few people I had never bothered to look up a race photo for so didn't recognize her (sure, I on-line stalk, do reconnaisance or whatever you want to call it. Doesn't everyone? It's fun and a sign of respect for people you hope to be as good as! I hope others do the same about me.)I hope I can race like her in 5 years! I wish I could bike like her now!

A post-race chill set in on this cloudy, cool September day and fatigue stayed with me the rest of the day despite a nap. No sore muscles, just bone-tiredness.

Another good day at the races and so pleased with my run! I'm ready for some fall road races!

Hey, is that Ann & Gina at my actual "Aging Up" birthday get together last May? Why, yes, it is! I enjoy Ann's blog and was inspired to try it myself. So as I try to follow in her footsteps (actually both their footsteps as they are out there running 10-14 milers recently), I'll throw in photos to make this more interesting (I hope), whether they fit the theme of what I'm writing about or not.