Mach Tenn Tri

Wednesday the lake was 81 degrees so they said wetsuits would not be allowed. We got a LOT of rain Thursday and Friday and a cool front moved in. Race morning the lake was down to 76, wetsuits became legal. I don’t have a wetsuit so I was really hoping for warmer water but Lana has one and wanted to wear it. I am told that the wetsuits help you float and are therefore an advantage but I don’t know. Anyway, a lot of people were happy that they were getting to wear wetsuits. We got to the race WAY early for a change and had a lot of time to kill. We got race packets, got body marked, set up transition, ate half a Luna bar, woke poor Briar up about 10 times, then finally put on running shoes and ran up a hill to get warmed up.
Then it was finally time to line up on the beach.
The swim was a long one by my standards and a lake swim. They lined you up based on your predicted swim and bike times so I was 237. I had lots of time to watch how people enter the water. I ran into the water when it was my turn and the race had started for me. I don’t know why I swim so much better during practice and then struggle so much race day. I was breathing every other stoke so I know that slowed me down but I get so worried about getting off track in the lake and I just seem to be out of breath racing. I saw Holly on the pier and waved to her. I got out of the lake and my legs actually felt a little wobbly. I jogged into transition and went to the wrong bike rack. I found the right rack and got ready to bike (sockless). I grabbed a handful of sport beans and saw a guy struggling to get his socks on. Then I ran my bike to the mounting line, saw Lana’s family cheering for me, and was off on the bike route.
I am glad Lana and I rode it Wednesday because I knew what to expect. I got too much joy out of passing people and checked out each one of their numbers to see how much time I was making up. Then I realized I forgot to but on my race number belt, hoped to remember it at transition. After the first couple of miles I felt like I was out there alone. I got passed by a few people and caught up with some other people later in the race. The bike went about like I expected it to and there is still a lot of room for improvement. I ran back into transition. I racked my bike, changed from helmet to hat, changed shoes, and ate part of a gel.
I saw Lana’s family again just as I was getting started. It was great to have them cheer me on and Holly yells “You are flying”. That got me really motivated. I finished the first mile in 7:30. I saw Lana on her way back and cheered for her. As I was approaching the turn around, a gust of wind blew my hat off. I went back for it as a guy yells “No, you never go back for anything”. I made the turn and headed back. I still felt good. I made it to the 3 mile water station and grabbed some water as I passed and dumped it down the front of me the guy yelled after me only 1 mile and 2 more hills (it is a very hilly route).
I just kept picking people off to pass and made it to the final chute and turned up the speed to sprint pass a guy in a white hat. At the finish line they handed me a cold towel and Lana and her family were there.
We loaded up all our stuff then got some food. They had a GREAT post race spread. I will be doing this race again next year.
Splits:
0.6 mile Swim – 20:38
T1 – 1:52
16 mile Bike – 54:20
T2 – 1:18
4 mile Run – 31:55
I ended up 7th in my age group and 183 overall. Lana kicked my butt, of course. Thanks to Lana’s dad for the pictures, that I can NOT get to post for some reason.