Not As Grumpy Today

     I just received an email containing the official results of the Parker Tri and I am not as grumpy as I was yesterday.  In fact I feel awesome.  I finished in 1:10:26.1, 32nd overall and 4th in my age group.  I missed out on the podium by 37 seconds.  I am really ok with that because I had a great race and I made a few mental errors and transition mistakes that easily could equate to that 37 second difference. 
     I failed to talk about the race yesterday because I was so upset with my timing drama.  Now that its over I think I can reflect on my race.  I didn't have any issues with my swim other than the fact that I really don't know how to swim.  I decided on the way home that I am going to take a few lessons so that I can learn to efficiently kick.  I usually just drag myself through the water using by upper body, I think if I learn to kick I may be able to knock a few minutes off of my swim and look a little cooler doing it.
    My swim to bike transition went well too.  It was a long run from the pool to the transition but I managed to keep a good pace and catch my breath from the swim to make the first few minutes on the bike easier.  The bike went really good.  I may have been able to push it a little more, but I never safe anything for the run and I backed off a couple of times so my run time would be better.  I managed to average 20.48 mph on the bike leg which is really good because there were a few tough uphills.
     The bike to run transition was a complete disaster.  I am pretty sure I missed the podium because of it.  Normally I slip out of my shoes while riding the last portion of the bike to safe time.  This time, I didn't see the transition marker until it was too late to slip them off so I ran into transition with them all.  I told my self it wasn't a big deal and it wouldn't hurt my time at all.  It did take a little longer but had that been the only mistake I wouldn't have cared.  In addition to the shoes, I forgot to unbuckle my helmet on the fly and I tried to decapitate myself when I got to my station and attempted to remove it.  Next, I had tied my shoes too tight, so when I went to slip them on I had an extremely difficult time.  It probably took me 20 seconds per foot to wiggle into my shoes.  I can usually keep my transition times under 40 seconds and my second transition was twice that. 
     The run leg was fantastic.  Right out of the transition I had a good pace as I regained my legs and as they started to feel better I picked up the pace.  I managed a 7:55 per mile pace (my goal was under 8) so I was thrilled to have done that.  I think I could have ran harder, especially at the end, but overall it was a great performance.  I may have been able to shave off another 10 seconds had I started sprinting where I initially had planned to, but I held off.  It may have been a mental mistake or a good move, but it is impossible to tell.
     It is a real bummer that my second transition cost me a podium position, but transition are part of the race and I now know to practice them before my next sprint tri.  It turned out to be a really great day.
     I almost forgot, Kayleigh was 4th in her age group too.  I actually had her admit that a better run time would make her a competitive triathlete.  She may just join me at run club sooner than later.