Race Report: Longleaf Tri

This is a bit late, but October has just gotten crazy busy!  The Longleaf Tri was almost two weeks ago, October 22nd.  The absolute best thing about this race is that it is local and tons of my running buddies are either participating or cheering.  Here is a link to the website for the event: http://longleaftriathlon.com/

Last time I did the Ft. DeSoto Tri (on a whim) I was talking to some of running buddies about how they could without a doubt do a tri.  (Yes, I'm talking to you Marcia and Melanie).  I explained that doing a relay may be a good way to try out a tri (HA!) to see how the experience is.  Now, most of you probably know Marcia and know that she is a crazy-fast runner.  Obviously, she would be holding down the run portion of a relay.  Without a doubt.

We talked about it a little more, and decided that myself (swim), Benny B (bike), and Marcia (run) would do Longleaf as a relay.  I have been swimming just about twice a week at the YMCA in order to train.  I consider myself a decent swimmer, so I was actually really excited to just do the swim portion of a tri and really go all out.

Here is Team Sandbaggers before the race (thank you Patrick McCormick for the wonderful photography):

And you can't forget the AWESOME sign that Carrie's daughter Natalie made for us:

Laying 'em down!!!

Now, every one was all together and pumped up for the swim.  But, I stood around for a while.  Until I figured out that I was going the VERY LAST person to enter the lake.  VERY LAST.  Meaning that there was no one else behind me.  Luckily, I was able to pass several people and not be the last one out, but still.  As soon as I hit that lake, I felt as it if forgot how to swim.  The lake was smelly, cold, murky, and downright disgusting.  Blah.

Here I am entering the swim:
 

Coming out of the swim:

I honestly thought I might die in that lake.  It was TERRIBLE. I drank a LOT of pond water.  If there is something wrong with me down the road, I'm SO blaming it on the pond water.

Here is Marcia on the run: (BEAST mode!):

Ben and I after the race (yes, we are nerds):

Here are the 2011 results: http://chiptimes.com/?TabId=65&EventID=557

And here is our winning team photo:

Overall, a super-fun race with a lot of local support. Thumbs up from me! 

Top Gun Triathlon: Race Report

Yesterday I was able to compete in the Top Gun Triathlon (.25 mile swim, 10 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run) at beautiful Ft. DeSoto State Park.

Here is a link at the course map:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=202278648348505560002.0004a7932179ede5c3a62&msa=0

I got there kind of early because I always want to position my bike as best as I can on the bike rack.  However, there were two women who were a little earlier than I was.  It worked out fine, and I realized that I have never really traveled to a race by myself.  It was nice because I could do whatever I wanted and was able to check out the swim start and the bathroom, and eat a little something before starting.

I met up with some of my running buddies who were there to support and cheer Tracey (her very first tri!), Claude, and myself.  Check out this sign: (!)

It felt kind of strange to hold a sign for myself so we switched :)

 Now, I got this entry at no charge from a fellow runner who was injured and couldn't compete.  However, she is in the very competitive 40-44 age group.  So it was a little intimidating, to say the least.  The swim was going great, until someone elbowed or kicked me right square in the face.  It stunned me for a minute and then I had to just shake it off and keep swimming (obviously).  Here is a picture that my entry-giver (thanks Michelle!) snapped coming out of the swim.

The bike transition was kind of far, in my opinion from the swim.  So it was kind of a far to run bare foot, but what can you do?  I got on the bike and started out.  I love passing people on the bike, not sure what it is, but it just feels good.  Now, of course, I got passed.  A lot.  There were guys (and some gals) flying by me like I was standing still.  The one thing I loved about this course is that the turns were all on a roundabout so you really didn't have to slow down in order to turn.  I was actually pretty happy with my bike time considering that I don't have clips/pedals and I hadn't been on my bike since last September (!).

The run was hot as all get out!  And, surprisingly, mainly in the sand.  If you haven't tried to run after you got off your bike, it kind of feels like you don't have control of your legs.  When I did my very first triathlon, a guy finishing said, "just put one foot in front of the other".  Initially, I thought, yeah...easy for a guy who is finishing to say!  But I just kept repeating the phrase in my head and focused on finishing.  Here is a picture of the finishing portion (photo credit to Tracey's husband - Paul)

Overall, the race was a blast.  I had a lot of fun, and even though it wasn't a PR, it was a challenge and I'm glad I got to soak in the beautiful scenery at Ft. DeSoto with some amazing people! :)  Here are a link to the results:

http://www.altavistasports.com/results/2011results/topguntriathlon07302011.htm

(I'm number 21 in the 40-44 age group)