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Race Result

Racer: Denise Ennis
Race: Reston Triathlon
Date: Sunday, September 10, 2006
Location: Reston, VA
Race Type: Triathlon - International Distance
Age Group: Female 40 - 44
Time: 3:09:26
Overall Place: 365 / 481
Age Group Place: 26 / 32
Comment: Trust thyself....



Race Report:



This is the end of a fabulous season. I did 7 races this year -- 3 triathlons - 4 -- 1/2 marathons. So many great lessons learned. This was my “first” real race season!

I slept GREAT for the first time before a race. Maybe it was that 1/2 marathon I did last weekend and working too many hours this week? Maybe it was the thought that this was the last race of the season? Possibly it was because I was so prepared -had the car packed & the bike already racked (lesson learned from Eagleman). I fell asleep around 9:30 - popped out of bed ready to roll @ 4:15 am. I was onsite @ 5am. A kind CAT let me borrow $5 to buy one the chip holders (Thanks Steve the CAT – hopefully you found the $5 on your windshield).

Got down to the lake - I was happy and calm. Not typical for my Type A personality. Felt the water -- it felt warm -- but I really wanted to wear the wetsuit I bought @ Eagleman – so I got into the water & swam around - it seemed ok? I didn’t listen to my inner voice who told me NOT to wear the wetsuit because the water was way too warm for a long sleeve!! (Lesson learned from Eagleman).

The swim starts - I start to swim & right away - hyperventilate in the stupid wetsuit because you guessed it – I was way too hot; the suit felt tight & my chest was closing in on me! I had one of the volunteers unzip the wetsuit -- and I continued on w/ my swim w/ lots of wetsuit DRAG!

I actually improved my swim by 5 mins from last year - so was ok w/ that. I was hoping to improve by 10 mins from last year – that will be my goal for next years race.

Swim: 40:44

Transition was transition: 2:25 (1 minute improvement from last year)

Bike -- love the ride -- felt good the entire time. I saw the snake -- thanked the volunteers -- and just enjoyed my ride because I knew I had my least favorite - the run ahead of me....

Bike: 1:14:17 -- was 1 min slower than last yr (bummer!) Guess I was “enjoying” my Sunday ride way too much ;)

Transition - 2:19 – 1 min faster than last yr :)

Run: OH where do I start -- why do I run when I don’t think I like to run? Hmm - glutton for punishment? Not sure -- My stride is so odd - since the knee injury -- I see people run by me & wish I could run w/ ease – like they do. The hills are definitely a huge challenge for me. However -- I did hydrate nicely on the bike -- I also did some GU (all lessons learned from Eagleman). No calf cramps this go round - but got the quad cramps. I think that was due to the hills & possibly the race last weekend. I was reduced to a jog/walk combo. I finally did work my way thru the quad cramping & managed to finish the run.

Run: 1:09:41 - 10 min improvement from last yr!!

This was my first official PR over another race - 15 min improvement from last year! Yeah!!

So -- my season is over! I can’t believe what I accomplished this year & more importantly I can’t believe what I learned about myself, my limits, and my health. I learned how to push myself, how to improve, what to do, what not to do. I do believe I finally learned to trust my inner voice.

This winter is all about learning more - doing weights & strengthening, prepping for next year. I'm signing up for a ½ Iron again – I need to apply all of my “lessons learned” ; I’m also looking into some crazy adventure races. I saw a 300 mile expedition in Utah I want to do....guess I should get some adventure races under my belt before I go for that - huh! No limits!!

Denise