Another year doing Women of Steel. It’s a fun event. The energy from this Women Only event is fun. It’s also a challenging group as well. It a great first race for many and a good race to push yourself again some of the best women in the sport.
It had been a long week and I knew going into this race I would need to dig deep. I was excited about this event.
Jodi, Mike, Shane and I had a great time visiting waiting for the race to start.
Swim
Lining up for the swim is always kind of comedy in pool events. Trying to determine if the person in front of you is faster or slower is kind of a pain. Everyone just has to go on the honor system. Jodi and I lined up and jumped in. I felt strong in the swim. Swimming is really starting to come along for me. Then this girl comes up to pass me, then stops right in front of me. SERIOUSLY?!
Bike
My favorite part! I hauled on my bike. I was making awesome time. The funny thing about tri’s where people are new is the understanding what “on your left” means. I didn’t know either when I started out. BUT it’s kind of dangerous when you are flying by and yell on your left and move to their left, almost cutting you off.
I was making awesome time on my bike. Figured I’d be PR’ing the bike with 38 minutes. I came along the last turn to come up the hill to T2, shifted and my chain jammed. I hopped off my bike to look and a spectator yelled, it snapped! So instead of messing with it. I threw it up over my shoulder and tried to run up the hill (in my biked shoes). The crowd was awesome cheering me on. I carried my bike about 100 yards into T2 and got ready for the run. I took off on the run.
Run
The entire time on the run, I was thinking, can I make up the time (a few minutes) on the run I missed on my bike? My right foot was killing. Due to this nice blister.
The Finish
Crossing the finish line, I knew I left it ALL on the course. At first, I thought I took 8th place in my age group, but when I got home to review my times. I actually took 7th. I’ll take it! 🙂 Jodi took 2nd place. She looked SO awesome on her run. I hope one day to be half as good as she is.
I really do LOVE racing!! It’s a blast.