Yes, this race report is a bit late. I also got to get OrangeMan AquaMan report out there.
I got to admit, I was really nervous and under prepared (logistics wise) for this race. They day before the race I was buying a bike jersey and water bottle for race day. These races just sneak up on me…I am so busy with the day to day stuff, I tend to not think that far ahead!
Pre-Race
It had been a few years since I had done a triathlon, so I was nervous. I rode my bike down to the start at 5 AM and set up my transition area.
Me before biking down to race
I didn’t know anyone doing the race, so really didn’t have someone to talk to or hang out with.
This is a local race and the start is literally down the street from me. There is really no reason why I can’t do this race every year!
As it got closer to the start time, there were people getting in the water to warm up. I usually don’t warm up in the water before my races and I didn’t this time. Lesson Learned: I should have warmed up in the water.
Swim
I ran out as usual and started to swim. But something was different this time – I couldn’t breathe. I started to have, what I call, a panic attack. I couldn’t catch my breath. I stopped swimming and started to tread water as I saw everyone swim away. I did a breast stroke type swim for a little while and thought about quitting the race.
This had NEVER happened to me before. I had done 1 sprint, 1 half Ironman and 2 Ironman races before this (albeiet 10+ years ago), but this was new to me.
Finally, I slowly started swimming again and was able to breath. As I kept swimming and getting into a rhythm, the problem went away. But that was a scarey experience, something I am still dealing with and need to understand why it is happening.
My time was not good, but I am proud for finishing after my episode.
Time: 37:16
T1: not recorded, I have no idea – they had some timing issues and my times were some of the ones that were corrupted.
Me at T1
As I was going to my bike, I saw my husband and kids!! It felt so good to see them there…it made some of my nerves go away. I wasn’t sure if they were going to make the whole race, so it was so good to see them at T1. I kept yelling “I did it! I did it!” to them. Of course, they didn’t know about the attack in the water…they probably thought I was crazy.
My boys waiting for me
Bike
The bike course is a course I ride all the time. So it was familiar. I am a slow biker. Period. I am not sure why, but I can’t ride fast on flats, rolling hills, downhills. I do really well on climbs and I love to climb. But other than that… I suck. Not sure how to get faster.
But the bike is a nice hilly bike ride. I got something in my eye and had to pull over. Also, my chain came off when I switched gears too fast – had to pull over to fix that issue. Other than that the bike was fun and uneventful.
Came in second to last in my division I believe 
. As I said, I am a slow biker. Need to work on this….
Time: 1:38:XX – this time was not recorded either.
T2: not recorded.
Run
Loved the Run! It was hilly and I was in my element. I train on hills…I love running hills. I was passing people and felt good. There are some pretty steep hills on this run and you run on a combination of bike trails/trails/street. As I came to the finish, I saw my husband and kids again and gave them high 5s. So cool to see them at the finish 
.
They love eating “marathon” food as they call it
Time: 51:32
Overall: 3:07:16.9
The finish area is a great area. Lots of room. Lots of stuff for the kids to do (playgroud, sand, water, etc). I would highly recommend this race (train on hills!).
Next year my goal is to go under 3 hours. I feel that is really doable consider the panic attack and having to stop twice on the bike. Also, next year I will not be as nervous
