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Race Result

Racer: Kristin Adkins
Race: Columbia Triathlon
Date: Sunday, May 22, 2005
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Race Type: Triathlon - International Distance
Age Group: Female 30 - 34
Time: 3:11:21
Overall Place: 926
Age Group Place: 51 / 84
Comment: PR at Columbia, incredible day



Race Report:



An amazing day at Columbia!

Swim: 27:32
T1: 3:48
Bike: 1:34:45
T2: 3:03
Run: 1:02:15
Total: 3:11:21

Pre-race Taper:
Friday: I drove to Columbia to get my bike inspected. I had no idea how long the lines were going to be on Saturday, and I didn't want to add an hour of standing around to my day. Took 3 hours round trip due to the weather, and 2 minutes on the ground at Princeton Sports. But, I got to enjoy the new Dave Matthews CD, so all was good! Followed the long drive by watching Star Wars: Episode 3. Go see it if you haven't, great movie. In bed early.

Saturday: Got up and packed to head to the race while my husband did his training ride to get ready for Eagleman. Got to Columbia with no problems, got checked in, got the bike racked, talked to a friend or two. Attended the pre-race meeting, just because I've never done a race big enough to have one. Thought it might be interesting until the questions got pretty repetitive, so we left. Figured that the second time I had to hear about body marking was my cue to leave. Got my bike all wrapped up for the predicted rain (which didn't happen), even wrapped a friends bike. Ordered subs in and enjoyed watching Drumline: One sound, One Band!

Sunday: Morning came bright and early. Had the alarm set for 4:50, but apparently other triathletes were in our hotel and they left at 4:45, so woke to slamming doors. Got up and had a superb PBJ which is definitely my new training and race food! Drank some sports drink and headed to the race. Got there around 6 AM, plenty of time to fret over the placement of everything and get prepared for the pro's. Waited to watch the pro's and overall athletes come out of the water. Enjoyed seeing STV cruising on it, and then watching Margie fly through the transition. If I read correctly, she had one of the fastest transitions of the day. Ok, time to get ready!

As my wave was called, #9, I got my cap on, got my last hug and headed towards the freezing cold water. Thank God for wetsuits. The militant people at the water's edge forced us in, I'm not quite sure why. I didn't need to float in the water for 8 minutes, as it was with 4 minutes my heart rate was flying and dropping all over the place. If the start didn't happen soon, I was going to end up needing life support to reheat myself.

8:03 AM. Swim: And were off. I got a great start, good sight line and took off. Once I got swimming, my heart rate settled down and I started to enjoy myself. The whole time the swim felt good and I didn't get run over. This was my biggest race to date, and I was surprised that I didn't get run over, although I am a strong swimmer. Caught up with people from the heat before me, which made me feel even better. Ran across the timing mat faster than ever before. Big smiles for the family, feeling pretty good.

Side note: My transition times keep getting longer, as do the length that I have to run. At least that's what I'm telling myself!

Bike: I decided to not take the time to put on my arms, which I ended up not needing, it wasn't as cold on the bike as I expected. First big hill to head up, locked up my chain changing big rings. Had to hop off to free up, which made for a really fun uphill start. I've been having problems with this lately, but the bike shops are telling me its user error. I get pretty worried that its going to be a long bike ride, but that was the only problem I had. I am really strong going up hills, and trade places with several people the entire ride as they blow by me heading downhill. I've blown several tires and tubes heading downhill and have lost some of my mental toughness when it comes to flying down hills. Need to figure out how to get this back. I enjoy hammering up the hills and passing people. Right before the last major hill I start talking to myself, you are having a really good day, this is fun, what a beautiful day, pick it up. I survive the bike and make it back to the park safely. Hop off the bike and run into transition. Nutrition on bike: 2 gu's, 1 energy drink, part of a sports drink.

T2: I had problems trying to tie my shoes. I was seriously standing there, reminding myself how to tie shoes, dropping laces, etc. It might be time to try some race ready laces.

Run: For the first time ever, my legs didn't feel wobbly as I headed out on the run course. Grabbed a clif shot, which I didn't end up eating and took off. The first mile is always way too fast, go out and work too hard. We had previewed the course, but had gone the wrong way, so I was very surprised to see the first hill. That was pretty nasty. Settled on into my run, I had to walk little parts of the huge hills, but overall was having a good run. Walked the water stations, sipped between water and gatorade. Dumped water on my head to keep cool. When I hit mile 4, I realized that I was having a really good run. My times were all close to each other and I realized that I was going to blow away the 3:30 I thought it would take me to finish this race. Mile 4 I thought about how sado masochist I was because I was really enjoying the run. When I hit mile 5, I realized that not only was I having a really good race, but that I had a chance to beat my PR. What a crazy concept on such a hilly course. I picked up the pace (besides walking a tiny bit on that gravel hill) and started telling myself that I could beat my time. As I came over the last hill, my parents and husband were all there to cheer me on. My husband looked at his watch, looked and me and said, "Holy Crap", I looked at him and said, "I'm having a really good race". I smiled and took off. There was one person that I wanted to pass before hitting the finish line. It was great to hear my name and see my time.

As I was walking around the finish area, I realized that they didn't have any more of the finisher medals. Apparently they were short, or some were lost. They told us to email them at the website and then when they were found, they would be put in the mail. That was a little depressing, its not like when it comes in the mail that I get to walk around with it on. I mean, I guess that I could do that, but that would make me a super tri geek. I was so excited by my race. I'm sure that my harder training this year, as well as losing 25-30 pounds from race time last year had a big part of my improvement.

Had a fun time seeing the RATS do so well, although I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone. Very excited to see Margie win again, I've known her forever, she actually borrowed my mother's bike for her first race! Congrats to everyone who raced at Columbia.

Now the pressure is really on, I want to break 3 hours at Outback Big Lick in September. See everyone at Eagleman.