Napa HITS Tri 70.3 Race Report - April 11,2015

Napa HITS Tri 70.3 Race Report - April 11,2015

 Race Stats:  41/261 overall, 1st AG, 4th overall female.
Swim: 33:14 T1: 5:06 Bike: 3:07 T2: 2:14 Run: 1:40  = 5:28

I earned Silver Level All World Athlete and USAT All American for 2014 --- definitely motivation for 2015!!

 Ross and the kids drove up to the race venue just as I was finishing on the bike

 just minutes after i finished the kids were ready to give me a hug

 kids went to several spots on the run to cheer - i needed the cheers, it was a very hilly course

 Beautiful views of Lake Barryessa

 you know it's going to be a tough race when this is the hill coming out of the water

 

a nice stool was at everyone's spot in transition - jilly thought it made a perfect seat

 

A quick recovery - off to Boston in a week!

Race notes:  Overall, I was very happy with the results of this race.  It was my first tri since IM Wisconsin and I was definitely a bit rusty -- forgot to lap my Garmin all day, couldn't get clipped into my pedals, didn't put on arm sleeves and the first part of the bike was COLD!, ...... and I have a TON of work on my bike still.  It was a very hilly course so I didn't really have a time goal, I just wanted to be consistent throughout the day.  I did the majority of my run based on HR because of the hills but I did try to maintain a 7:15 pace on the flats.  I played my "fishing" game on the run trying to catch the person in front of me.  As I passed mile 12, I noticed a girl in front of me --- quite a ways, but I thought to myself "can I catch her?"  my first thought was no way!  she's quite a bit in front of me and my legs were pretty tired --- but I decided to see what I could do.  I kept pushing and eventually got close to her with about 0.5 miles to go.  I hung back for a minute to make sure I had enough energy to pass her and I then I went for it!... never looked back just kept going.  I knew if she tried to speed up with me, I wouldn't have enough left in me for a foot race.  But I did it!  passed her and moved up to 4th female overall!  I was very happy with my swim in this race, I didn't have any fogging goggles problems and did a really good job of sighting the buoys.  It was my fastest 70.3 swim..... now I need to work on my biking more --- can't make up for that in the run.  Best part of the day was getting high fives and smiles from my kids along the run course.  Boston Marathon up next and then a nice 9 week training block before we leave for Team USA Long Course in Sweden and IM Frankfurt!