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My first triathlon in a year and first race post-Logan is in the books. My last triathlon (where I was 7-8 weeks pregnant with Logan) was almost 1 year previous at the Triangle Orthopedic Sprint. I did a couple of 5K's and open water swims while pregnant but I wouldn't really say they were races so they don't really count. Here are the results if you'd rather just see them and not hear me blah blah blah about the race.
My first triathlon in a year and first race post-Logan is in the books. My last triathlon (where I was 7-8 weeks pregnant with Logan) was almost 1 year previous at the Triangle Orthopedic Sprint. I did a couple of 5K's and open water swims while pregnant but I wouldn't really say they were races so they don't really count. Here are the results if you'd rather just see them and not hear me blah blah blah about the race.
Last year I decided that the Riverwood Sprint Triathlon would be a great first race back. It was a small race, with a pool swim, that was geared more towards beginners. Sign me up. Marty did and put in a really fast pool time which 'earned' me the right to start the race in first position. Let's be clear about something - my swim stinks right now. While pregnant I kept swimming, but pretty much just splashed around and since having Logan I haven't been swimming all that much. Swimming has never been my forte and I'm getting to the pool about 3 times every 2 weeks - this leads to a competent swim, but by no means fast. Anyways, my biggest concern was getting passed in the pool, but luckily the guy behind me was around my speed so in the end I exited the pool still in first position. I hit the wall in just under 4:00 so for 300 yards that is right around 1:20 pace. Oh yeah.
But back up. Racing a triathlon with a baby in tow adds a whole new element to everything. Triathlon is already very gear intensive and then add in a baby and you've got a whole bunch of crap to pack up. I did most of this on Friday so I didn't have to worry about it in the morning. Then of course I have to add in time to pump. Then I got ready, ate, did last minute prep and then got Logan up. Poor kid, who wants to get woken up from a deep sleep at 5:30 am? We were sort of hoping we could transport him right to the car and head out but he wanted to EAT.
We made it to the site in plenty of time, and I had already picked up my packet so no worries there. I had to make sure to fit in another pumping session because I wanted to be sure everything was out before the race. So maybe this is TMI but it's my life right now and it's quite a commitment! But since we're on the subject, this milk factory is beginning it's shutdown this month. My goal was to breastfeed for 6 months which would be Jun 12 -- and I have a bunch stored so I should get there. I am so ready to be done though, and can't wait until I am. Breastfeeding is great and I applaud women who manage to do it for the whole year but I am so over it and will be glad to be done.
Back to the race. My friend and athlete Cari decided to race at the last minute and it was fun to have her right next to me on the rack and in the pool to warmup. It was also handy since she had an extra cap for me when mine broke right when I went to put it on. I did a short jog warm up and the calf felt okay - a bit tight but not debillitating.
So I already talked about the swim. The mat for the split was far away so all the swim times look about :30 slower then they really are. My transition was fine and I decided to put on socks since it was a bit chilly (mid-50's). I always put them on for the run anyways. The 14 mile bike was through rural country roads and it was a bit hilly on the second half. I felt all right - again, my training is super low and my intensity is pretty much non existent so I was very surprised to have the fastest bike time. I had cut my finger the day before and it had opened up and was bleeding all over my hand so I was more concerned about whether or not I had wiped my face with it and now had blood all over myself. If Cari caught up to me I was going to ask her to take a look -- but she never did. So yeah, I can't say I was too focused while I was out there. There were a few hills at the end and I just remember thinking, ooh, these are sort of hard I think I will back off. Race pace also doesn't exist yet :)
Onto the run and this is what I was most worried about since this stupid calf injury has cropped up. Not only had I not been running very much but I had pretty much done only one workout (on the Thursday before the race). Luckily, the calf held up. It was tight but not bad. The run course was nice, on a greenway along a river for a bit, then into a neighborhood and back on another greenway. It was hilly coming back so definitely not a fast course. The last hill before the finish line was a killer and it was impossible to get your speed back up after it.
I can't complain about winning the race - it was so fun and I'm so happy to be back out there. Of course, I'm nowhere near where I was once but I wouldn't expect to be.
And now, pictures.
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| Getting some extra sleep the night before. |
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| Heading off to set up my junk. |
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| Gearing up to cheer me on |
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| Swim start |
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| Swim finish |
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| Off the bike |
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| Please, calf, don't hurt! |
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| Glad to be done with the hills |
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| Family portrait. Where's Logan? |
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| Getting my award |
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| Best cheering section ever |
