Salem Triathlon

Scott arrived home on Thursday night 2 June, two days later I had the Salem Triathlon.  This was a big deal for me because this was my first open water tri.  I got to try out my brand new wetsuit that I won in the Women of Steel race from Salt Lake Running Company.  I didn't even get a chance to try it out before the race.  I only picked it up the day before.  With the weather being so bad this spring I didn't get much of a chance to practice open water swimming.  While the Jarvis' were here I really wanted Sarah to get me out to Salem Pond and help me learn.  We got out there once, but all our friends that were going to come bailed on us, so she just had to watch and give me pointers from the beach as she kept an eye on the kids.  We got there one more time and were there at the same time as a handful of others participating in the Salem Tri.  I really was so nervous for this swim.  I had such a hard time in the water.  I couldn't breathe or relax.

When it came to race day I tried to stay calm, but I still had a hard time getting my face in the water and breathing.  I spent time on my back and then tried to stroke and then would go on my back again.  I got a pretty good rhythm down that way.  But the swim took way too long and was too exhausting.

The competitors for the Elite wave getting ready to start.  Sarah and the coaches convinced me it would be better to race in the elite wave than my age group.  I was so nervous about the swim.  Swimming behind these few exceptional athletes was better than swimming amidst all the other swimmers in the women's category.  But it was embarrassing because I spent so much time on my back.

I was so relieved to finally come out of the water.  I honestly didn't know if I would make it and it felt like it took me forever.  It actually took me 20 min.  Not bad for a first timer, but still not an elite waver swimmer time.

The transition area.

There I am in the back ground taking off on the bike.  Coach M and Marci are there cheering.

Finishing 1st loop of bike ride.

Out of transition to begin the run.

Rubie taking it all in.

Eric and Noah watching for Sarah.

High 5's to the first female finisher.  Way to go Sarah, you are an inspiration!

For me spinning involves a bike, for Rubie, this is Spinning.

Coming up with their own race.

Coming to the finish.

With Missy and Heath.

Receiving coaching and instructions from Heath.

Completed my first open water tri.  I have a lot to learn about open water swimming.  It is not the same as swimming in the pool.  I have a lot of practicing to do.  This was a good experience and lots of fun.

The race was 1/4 mile swim, 13.5 miles bike, 3.1 mile run.

I completed the race in 1:18:38.5.  I placed 9th overall.  Swim time 20:36, T1 1:14, Bike 34:49, T2 1:08, Run 20:54.

I have been working on improving all 4 events of the tri.  Yes 4, coaches have us working on getting our transition times down.  I have a row of beautiful bruises on the inside of my right leg from practicing flying squirrels onto the bike.  It's so bad that I have a hard time sitting on the bike seat.  I hope it helps me and that when it comes to race time I don't chicken out on actually doing it.

Scott and Eric's sand dog that they built.