Race Result

Racer:	Melissa Hancock
Race:	Dan Fiduccia Spring Biathlon
Date:	Sunday, May 6, 2007
Location:	McLean, VA
Race Type:	Other - Other
Age Group:	Female 35 - 39
Time:	0:45:07
Age Group Place:	2 / 3
Comment:	Fun way to start the season

Race Report:

The results have not been posted for this race yet, but since it's been awhile, I thought I would go ahead and write my report.

This was a 525 yard indoor pool swim followed by a 5K cross-country run around the campus of the Madeira school in McLean.

I arrived in plenty of time about an hour before the race start. I met my friend Marissa there, who I regularly run with. I also ran into fellow RAT Zoya, so it was great meeting her. I was in my brand new RATS gear, so it was easy for her to spot me!

The morning was a little cold, but very windy. Marissa and I were in the first swim wave (I fibbed a little on the swim estimate so we would be seeded together). At the beginning of the swim, I unfortunately noticed that I had not cinched my shorts tight enough, and let's just say I was in extreme danger of having an embarrasing wardrobe malfunction! I was forced to slow my swim down and forgo the flip turns. I can't even tell you how angry I was at myself!

One benefit of the slow swim was that I came out of the pool with plenty of energy for my run! I was second out of the pool and had a lightning fast transition and hit the run course.

It was very strange to be all alone on the run. There were volunteers helping out on the turns, but there were times when no one was around, and I hoped I was still on the course. Everyone noticed my cool suit and yelled "Go RATs!"

After the first turn I passed Marissa, who was about a minute behind me. I knew that she was a faster runner than me, so I knew I was going to have to run hard to stay ahead of her (she is in my age group).

The run was very hilly. I might even say Mountainous at a couple of points. I saw my husband and daughters at the water stop, and my 4-year old was so upset that she could not run with me (having finished her first 1K the weekend before).

Luckily the last half mile was all downhill. Once I caught my breath again I was able to start sprinting to the end. Marissa did too, and finished just a few seconds behind me!

We were so happy to learn that we got second and third place in our age group. And if SOMEBODY had to beat us, we were happy to hear that it was fellow RAT Zoya - Congratulations Zoya!

All in all, it was a lot of fun. I wish I had been able to do better on the swim, but I was really happy with my performance on the run, since that is my weakest sport.