Stanford Treeathlon Race Report

We got word Saturday morning that this race would definitely be a duathlon. 30-something air temp and 48-50 degree water do not equal a safe combination for anyone to swim and then bike, so I understand the race directors’ decision. I was OK with it as maybe I was a little nervous about freezing myself!

I’m not sure how the turnout for age groupers fared relative to what it would have been with a swim, but the collegiate participation was HUGE. College kids from all over California in attendance and shivering in their little tri suits.

This was my first duathlon so I took into account everything Coach gave me for a plan and knew I’d be going for broke (and pain) for the duration!

Feeling goofy and excited during warmup

Jeff got a little blog recognition on the course today. He wasn’t sure how to handle that :-)

Let’s get this show started!

As per my instructions I eased into it and then went HARD. I passed a number of women who had taken off ahead of me but then slowed.

2k run, 6:45 pace.

Ow.

Racing to my bike

T1: 56 seconds.

The bike course was 3 fairly flat loops around the port of Redwood City. It gave me plenty of opportunities to see my spectating peeps while trying to redline it for the duration.

20k bike, 18.4 mph pace.

I was pleased with managing a shoeless dismount since I had a long run through transition back to my setup.

T2: 43 seconds.

And then it was time to hurt some more! As I headed out of transition, my friend Meredith reminded me that running is my favorite part, which apparently cracked me up. Hey legs, pay attention, you’re supposed to like this!

The second run was hard. On the upside, I was passing a lot of people from previous waves and that kept me pushing myself. I kept my heart rate just *this* side of barfing my guts up. About 1/4 mile from the finish, I gasped my way past Jeff and Nigel and tried to find one more gear.

I found assistance in the form of the UC Davis tri team, who attempted to cheer one of their own to pass me before the finish.

Nuh-uh, I don’t think so.

5k run, 7:56 pace.

The end result: 4th place in a tough age group (1st and 2nd in my AG were 1st and 3rd women overall) and 11th woman overall.

Mary placed 1st in her AG for her very first duathlon! Super proud!!

I am so grateful to Nigel for coming out to cheer and volunteer with traffic direction, Jeff for taking photos and supporting me, Meredith for driving all the way out just to cheer and photograph, and Mary’s husband Gerard for also taking some great photos!

After proper post-race recovery fluids, my reward was a mimosa (or two) at lunch with the guys.

After the way last season ended at Austin, I’m thrilled to have kicked off this year going hard and fast successfully! I've never put as fast of a run pace down in a race as I did in the 1st run, and I think that's a new high on the bike for me in a race too! Rest day tomorrow and then it’s back to work!