Blue Lake Triathlon

Blue Lake Triathlon - June 7, 2015

I always like to do this race because it's a good one to compare each year to see your improvement or what areas need work. Also, since it is such a flat course it's already easy to see what you need to work on. However, the course was a bit different this year due to some construction on part of the course. 

Swim went really well for me. From the start of the race I got a good rhythm going and was up with a small group. I was able to do some drafting. Whenever I do draft though, I don't rely on their sighting abilities. So the person that I was drafting off of was not quite going straight so I ended up by myself a few times through the swim. For the first time I was one of the first ones out of the water for my wave, which put me in a good position on the bike. My swim time was 24:29.

Finished up the swim

Trying to pass a fellow athlete through transition

I think there may have been only one person out of the water before me but I passed them through transition and was the first out on the bike course. My legs felt alright to start with but still didn't feel like I was pushing as hard as I have before and that was proven when I got passed in the first part of the course. I tried to push a little harder and to at least keep her in sight but I just didn't have it in my legs. I got passed a second time but at least it was only with about 2 miles left. My bike split was 1:09:13. When I saw my bike time I was a little disappointed since last year I rode 3 minutes faster and the year before that I rode 3 minutes faster than that. Seeing that I realized I really need to focus on my bike training. 

Finishing up the bike leg

I left nothing back on my run. I took off hard to try and catch the two girls who caught me on the bike. I got the second immediately starting the run, but I didn't know if it would be enough since she started a wave behind me so I knew I would have to make up even more time on her to make sure I would still beat her. There were a couple turn around spots on the run which gave me the opportunity to see how far ahead the other girl was and see how well she was doing. She was about a couple minutes ahead of me and still looked strong but I felt I could still get her. However, on the second turn around I could see that the distance hadn't changed much and there was only about 2 miles left. I still kept at it though, and kept reminding myself that the race isn't over until I cross that finish line. 

Start of the run

Thought this was a pretty awesome pic

It was pretty hot on the run but I didn't feel too much of the effects. At the aid stations they were filling up pitchers of water and giving the athletes the option to have it thrown on them or not. I did every time and it definitely helped against the heat. 

Home stretch

Ended up finishing with a run time of 41:38. Only two seconds faster than the first place girl but I'm happy I still got the fastest run split. I made up enough time against the other girl (the one I did pass on the run) by 4 minutes which put my overall placing ahead of her. My overall time was 2:17:45. Giving me a placing of 2nd overall. 

Hydration!!

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it but all my awesome suits I wear are made by my amazing sister Shavonne. She designed and sewed each one of them. Always making sure that I will never have the same race attire as anyone else! :)

My awesome "fan club" a.k.a. my sisters

Top 3 overall women

Although, I was a bit disappointed in my bike split time I can't be too upset because I know it's an easy fix to get back to where I should be. Also, I still had a strong run and that's always important to me since I come from a running background.

I got a plaque!

My race number was 164 giving me the Pokémon Noctowl.