Emerald Pointe Tri 2008

This past Sunday I did the Emerald Pointe Tri @ Lake Lanier Islands. My first time as last year I didn't sign up in time and it had sold out!

This was my last tri of the season and I planned to go out there and give it everything I had. Except Sunday morning I woke up and just didn't feel like going. I debated on skipping it, but the fact that I paid the registration fee, others had missed the deadline and I would be wasting a #, and most importantly - I wouldn't get my shirt!! The shirt is my whole motivation for doing these races. OK, the shirt is not the only motivation because I do love to cross that finish line, but I do like the shirt.

Tom (wonderful supportive husband) packed up the car with all my gear (dog included) and headed out. It only took us about 20 minutes to get there which gave me plenty of time to put everything together and walk the 1/2 to the start. (I procrastinate every race - nothing is ready the night before. I decide what I will wear the morning of, drives my husband crazy. I usually forget to bring something, this time it was my sunglasses.)

After racking my bike and setting up, we headed down to the water. This race was larger than other sprints I have done so it was a little intimidating. The weather had cooled but it was not too bad. And the water was actually quite nice.

Being over 40 I was in the next to last wave. I hate to start almost last. It makes me worry that I will be the last person to cross the finish line and I hate that feeling.

The start ran a little late so I spent time with Tom and dog until it started.

This race was a 400 meter swim that was basically a rectangle shape. Counter-clockwise around buoys and back into the short. I decided to start on the left hand side and do a running start. I had been watching other waves take off and it seemed that strategy paid off for others. Plus my husband (who is quite perceptive) told me to do that.

The swim was ok from the start, I got out in quickly with minimal bodies in front of me. Unfortunately my goggles started filling up with water and I had to tread water while I tried to fix them. This put other swimmers in front of me, so I had to battle with lots of legs kicking in front of my face.

At one point two swimmers from opposite sides started to converge into me. I sped up to get out of the way. I usually stop, say I'm sorry, and fall behind. But I have learned to hold my ground and keep going. Anyway, as I sped up they continued and crashed into each other at my feet. Oops.

I rounded the buoys at the far end and started to head to shore. I was doing ok, kind of felt tired since I had let my swimming slack these past few months. Then, I felt a painful slice on one of my ankles. It felt too sharp to be a fingernail, I think someone had brought a weapon! That kind of startled me because it hurt so bad, but it also made me mad so I pushed on to the finish.

The transition at Lake Lanier Water Park to the parking lot sucks!! There's no other way to say it. It's uphill, steep uphill, and the cement walkway has lots of little rocks and pebbles that hurt!

Quickly put on helmet, socks and bike shoes and headed out on bike. I wasn't too worried about the bike because it was only 13 miles, and I had done the Iron Girl earlier in the year which was 18 miles. What I didn't plan for was all the bugs and wind to get into my eyes since I had forgotten my sunglasses. (Note to self - really should start getting things organized the night before.)

The bike went well, it was rolling hills but I love hills. There was a bike that went flying past me, it was like a blur. It ended up being a 12 year old boy. Normally I try to catch anyone that passes me but at the speed he was traveling I didn't even try. He was awesome.

Finished the bike, swapped bike shoes for running shoes and headed out. Both transitions felt really quick which is something I have been working on.

The run was awful as usual. I've run that 5k course a few times and I just hate it. I don't know why because as many uphills as it has, there are downhills. I just have it in my mind that I don't like it. I tried to run the whole thing but had to walk on a couple of hills. I pushed myself more than normal and felt like I was gonna puke at the end. That's a good thing I think.

Overall I would say I'm happy with my race. I think I pushed myself a little harder than I normally do, especially on the run, which is what I wanted to do. So I'm proud of that.

Swim 9:58 (10th in age group)
T1 2:00
Bike 39:53 (1st in age group - yipee!) 19.6 mph
T2 1:17
Run 29:28 (20th in age group) 9:31/mile
Total 1:22:34

I'm very happy with my bike time. Need to work on running - big time!

My dog Marlo had a blast. She dug around in the sand at the start, and even went swimming after all the waves had finished. I got to see Tom and Marlo after the bike, at the start of the run, and at the end. They are such great fans and supporters.