SheRox Triathlon Report

The Naperville Women's Triathlon was adopted by the SheRox organization last year.  I missed their inaugurating event last year due to injuries.  After racing in this event three weeks ago, I have to say it is one of the most organized events I've ever done.  The heat was on and extra water, ice, and hose sprays became available.  Your race results were almost immediately available.  And there was room for just about everybody.  That is...except for the swim start!

I could not have been in a worse position for a swim start wave than I was on this day! I know better than to be smack in the middle of the pack.  Apparently, the news Russ gave me shortly before the race, that Melissa was in labor and we'd be grandparents that day (turned out to be the next day after a long labor!) had me preoccupied.  I enjoyed that news throughout the race, but it did make it a bit harder to focus.  Other times, it gave me a reason to focus.  Here are some photos with brief details:

Here I am just before the race with new knowledge....that I was about to officially become a Grandma! Would I race like one?  Only time would tell!

Worst swim start ever.  What was I doing in the middle of the pack?  Daydreaming about babies! Live and learn.  Further up front or off to the side next time.  

I'm in the middle with the woman in the black suit behind me. Nearly chest deep in water, I spent at least a minute waiting for a spot to dive in.  Eventually, I just dove in the can of sardines and bullied my way through.  We triathletes are typically nice people...but nice gets you nowhere inside the race.  Dive in and GO....and everyone else....MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!

At last!  Swim is over and on to the bike.  It turned out to be my worst swim time.  16:34!  Ouch!  The good news is, one can make up a few minutes on the bike and run.  If you're going to be slow...this is the place to be slow.

Out on the bike (center)!  Whereas the swim was my worst, the bike was my best!  And I didn't even feel like I was giving it my all!  My bike split was 43:45 for the 14.2 mile course.  That's 19.47 mph average!  I think I could have done 20+.  

I believe this was Jenny who won the overall award.  She is amazing!  Thirteen weeks earlier, she had a baby!  She won in 1:07.  WTG!

My run was not good.  The issues I had running for the past weeks had come to haunt me in this race.  I look like I'm struggling here!  In the end, my run was 33:11.  Not the worst, but far from the best.  I was pooped!  Definitely need to work on this run thing!

My total Triathlon time was the 2nd best for this race since racing here in 2008.  1:40:04.  So I will not complain and take it victoriously!  Here are my results since 2008 for comparison:

2008 ~ Swim: 15.36/T1: 3:49/Bike: 49:56/T2: 2:15/Run: 33:52/Total Time: 1:45:26

2009 ~ Swim: 14:19/T1: 4:46/Bike: 51:31/T2: 2:43/Run: 31:28/Total Time: 1:44:45

2010 ~ Swim: 15:15/T1: 2:27/Bike: 44:54/T2: 1:55/Run: 25:45/Total Time: 1:30:15

2011 ~ Did not race

2012 ~ Swim:  16:34/T1: 3:19/Bike: 43:45/T2: 3:17/Run: 33:11/Total Time: 1:40:04

It's interesting to compare years and see how I could improve on transition time and make a difference.  That's an easy enough task.  I took the time to spray sun block on, snap my ice towel, etc.  Have to work on this.  

So...add another finisher's medal to the collection.  It was fun to be back in my usual racing routine after last year's absence through most of them.  

But the greatest prize of all?  

My new little granddaughter, Charlie!  

Next up:  The Lake Zurich Olympic  (.9 mile swim/24 mile bike/10K run).....

Happy Trails!

FABIO'S FIRST RACE

The signs are up.  The Expo is over.  The transition area is almost ready.  After missing last year due to injuries, I am excited to be back!  It's going to be a hot day tomorrow, but hopefully, I'll be done before 9 AM.  Thanks to an early wave start.  This is about the only race I do where the oldest goes first and the youngest last.  Sometimes....it pays to be old!  :)

My black stallion bike is NOT old, however, and I am anxious to test him out in his first race.  "Fabio" as he is fondly named by co-worker, Brian B., is all gussied up and ready to go.  Bathed and a chain that is cleaned with some new, fresh oil.

Today was Expo day where you pick up your packet, get your body marked and check out the sponsor displays (freebies and shopping to boot).  I ran into Janet, a newer friend who is a friend's mother in law who flies out here every summer from the Netherlands.  She is also newer to triathlon not getting started until later in life.  She flies and beats us all and we couldn't be prouder of her!  Janet and I secured our race kits and hit the body marking area.  Good thing we did when we did because by the time I left, there was a long line!

As always, the Expo was nice and an air of excitement filled the grounds.

                        (Toyota is this year's big sponsor)

                       (Packet pick-up gittin' crowded!)

                                (Sponsor, "Urban Tri Gear" had a nice set up)

(Nice to catch Esther, Janet, Thomas and Rebecca, with pup, at the Expo)

                      (The Expo was at the beautiful grounds of Naper Settlement)

So....Everything is set and ready to go.  Just one more meal and one more sleep~

Best wishes to all racing tomorrow!  Stay cool out there tomorrow!  As the race organizer says:
SHE SWIMS, SHE BIKES, SHE RUNS.....SHE ROX!

Happy Trails!