Don’t think you are fast…Know it

I got 2nd place AG at Pinehurst today. It was my best race ever. I guess I am now one of the super fast chicks in my age group 🙂 You might also want to read my full race report.

I almost didn’t do this race because I was in such a foul mood and didn’t think I had it in me to beat so many fast chicks. I even told myself that I would never have an ‘A’ race again because it was too much pressure. In the end, I decided I would be a quitter if I blew off my ‘A’ race…and that I would go, do my best to reach my goals, and fight hard to get on that podium. I figured if I had a bad day, I’d just have to be a good sport about it. Turns out, I had a stellar day!

My times were approximately 27 for swim, 1:08 for bike and 54 for run. 2:33:?? overall. My secret time goal was 2:40, cutting 8 minutes off last year’s time. I slashed that goal!!! (Word doc with Pinehurst Goals & Strategy)

The tri bike was just awesome, awesome to the max. I love it, and can’t believe I went so long on a road bike with clip ons.

Two of the super fast chicks did not show up…I cannot believe my luck! I beat one of the super fast chicks (someone I’ve been trying to beat for three years).

My mantra for this race was “Don’t think you are fast…Know it”. Morpheus says that to Neo in the Matrix. Someone on the BT forums has that in their sig file. It totally worked for me to day. The entire run I imagined I was Neo controlling the Matrix (the world) making myself run fast and everyone else not run fast.

I made such a mad dash for the finish line that I collapsed in exhaustion after handing in my chip. Several folks asked if I needed medical attention. I just gave a thumbs up and said I left it all on the course. I had imagined this race ending just that way.

Must shower; and then eat, sleep, drink, pee, repeat. I love how I become this purely biological being after races.

Oh, and to all the people on the bike course who I yelled at: I do not apologize. You all need to learn the rules of triathlon bike racing.

• Blocking: don’t pull to the left unless you are about to pass someone. You have 15 seconds to pass. If you can’t do it, then get back over.
• Overtaken: As soon as someone passes you, you have to drop back 3 bike lengths, even if it means easing off your pace. The reason for this rule, is to allow those passing to get back over, so they don’t end up blocking the next guy. Triathlon is not a drag race.

Sheesh, I saw so much of this crap out there today. Some 45 year old male started to drag race me just as a USAT official went by. I was worried I got a penalty for the 15 second rule. Luckily, I did not. I would have been really ticked if I had, because it wasn’t my fault.

HR data:
164 avg / 178 max
swim: 159 avg / 174 end
bike: 162 avg / 155 end
run: 170 avg / 178 end