Birds Hill and Edmonton Races

Well by now I have two races to write about. Two weeks ago I was very excited to have the first race of the series on home turf, Bird's Hill Park. Despite a bit of stress leading up to the event because of trying to pull together a successful pre race meal for the athletes, I was pumped to race. I know these kinds of races take a lot of work to put on, so am very thankful to the Triple Threat Triathlon Club and the many volunteers that gave their time and energy.

The swim start was not ideal, being in the water. I prefer beach starts, which I am much better at. I'd have to say it was one of the roughest starts I have been a part of, I guess I just got caught in a really bad place. After being thoroughly beat up I was finally able to get some clearer water and see the lead pack and chase pack. Unfortunately, they were much too far away and with my current swim abilities I had no chance of catching them. I got out of the water with a few girls right around me including my teammate Madison, but they didn't stick with me and after transition it was just a girl from Quebec with me. We biked hard up the hill and caught two other girls on the flat section of the first of two laps. I tried to be very encouraging and get our group moving, but it just wasn't happening. Whenever I wasn't leading the pace felt way too slow. I felt like I was once again doing most of the work for the pack, a situation I found myself in far too often last year. It was frustrating, but I tried to do the best I could and focus on the run. I had a quick transition and felt strong. I knew that one of the girls was quick and she passed me pretty soon, and the others were still behind me. I noticed my original bike partner coming up behind me, about to make a pass. But I repeated my mantra from Tempe, "this isn't over yet" and picked it up to maintain the lead. The rest of the run was uneventful and I just tried to keep my steady pace. I started to cramp up with about half a kilometer to go, but pushed through and just held my position. I finished in 14th place and I would say that although it wasn't an amazing race, it wasn't horrible either. I know what my weaknesses are and it was a decent start to the season.

This weekend I was happy to be back in Edmonton for a third time. I like this course and was looking for a bit of redemption after my sub par race here last year. I had felt great two years ago, so I tried to channel some of that back into my race. Race morning was a bit of a mess, with the women being held in check in until the men were off the bike, almost missing our entire swim warm up. It was the first time I've had to set up my transition while wearing a wetsuit.  It was quite frustrating for everyone, and I tried my best to stay calm about the situation. The swim start is a bit of a weird one, standing on a raised platform, so not a true beach start. It's a steep and quick step, step, step, dive, swim, or else you might trip or sink into the sand. But I kind if like it. I completely nailed the start and was surprised to find myself right up at the front! But of course that couldn't last forever and I felt like I was being passed by way too many people.  I don't understand how people say they feel good during the swim, or steady or solid. I don't think I've ever felt that. Even when my shoulders are not giving me too much trouble during the actual race I feel like I am struggling to breathe and keep moving forward. I was happy to not just see empty water in front of me as I was about to exit the swim but I wasn't sure who was there or if I was close enough to bike with them. I got to my bike and had a bit more trouble taking my wetsuit off than usual. But then I saw my friend Taylor and was very happy I would have someone strong to bike with! One other girl joined us and then about halfway through the first of two laps we caught my teammate Ashlyn.  Our group of four was actually one of the bigger packs out there this time, the lead group was five, and then a few more in between. I was happy to be in a decent position and was looking forward to the run. The other girl with us attacked the second time up the big hill, and we let her get away, I guess she was very strong on the bike. As I had hoped, I nailed that second transition and started the run with a bit of a lead on the other two, posting one of the fastest T2 times of the day. Taylor is a solid runner and after a while she caught me. I tried to sick as close to her as possible and not look back to see where Ashlyn was. She had a bit of tough time out there, and was just passed by a girl from Saskatchewan who was also gaining on me but was running out of room. Similarly, I could tell I was getting closer to the girl that had previously attacked, but not soon enough.

I finished in 12th place and I am happy with my race. Although I know I still have a ways to go, I'm getting back on track and can't really complain. It's the swim that will either make or break my races at this point and hopefully I will just keep improving and start getting into those packs that I want. Next up is New Brunswick followed by Toronto, and since I have officially made the Canada Games team I will also be off to Sherbrooke. Exciting races still to come!

Here's a link to the results. I'm still trying to figure out how to add pictures from my iPad.

Women:
http://www.triathlon.org/results/result/2013_edmonton_patco_triathlon_junior_pan_american_cup/259448


Men:
http://www.triathlon.org/results/result/2013_edmonton_patco_triathlon_junior_pan_american_cup/259447

On another note, we also watched the elite World Cup event later that day. In the women's race our Canadian girls rocked it, good job! Congrats as well to the guys that finished, and I wish quick healing to those affected by the crash. Here's a highlight video from the men's race.

http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/rouault_runs_to_first_world_cup_win_in_edmonton