I arrived in my hometown of Penticton on Friday and one of the first thing I did was take a dip in the crisp, clear Okanagan Lake. Friday and Saturday consisted of errand running, seeing familiar faces at Bike Barn and Peach City Runners, buying groceries and spending whatever time I had left with my hometown friends.
This morning was an early wake-up for the Peach Classic Sprint Tri. After a bowl of fruit I gathered my things and cycled to race start. Great thing about Pen is that all places are within cycling distance. Surprisingly I was not nervous for this race (I think all my worry had been concentrated on the camp that is to follow).
I swam with no wet-suit! Wise choice; I am not sure of my time yet, but it felt faster than any previous race. The swim was 750m which worked in my favor, the 500m swims I had raced in the past were not enough distance to gain any sort of lead. After clocking the fastest T1 time I was out onto the bike. Uggh my legs felt the week's rides. It was a tough build for the camp, but after 8ish km I found them and was able to gain some considerable time on the women ahead of me.
T2 was another quickie and the run began. It felt average. No unnatural pain (injury wise) but I lost all my base during the past several months of being injured. I was 3rd woman for a bit, but was passed in the remaining 500m, and my legs just can't accelerate like they used to. I have faith that my running fitness will return and when it does I have a inkling that the run will be the place for me to really attack. So ended up 4th woman, 10th OA and 1st in my age group.
I am happy with my performance, but I know there is a lot to improve on. Open water swimming being one, power-power-power on the bike and my running of course. Off to meet the team for a swim and yoga this afternoon and then LONG bike tomorrow. Train well. Train Hard.
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