SheROX Philly Sprint Triathlon
Aug. 3, 2008
84 degrees, winds 10-15 mph
8K swim; 25K bike; 5k run

So I've been lurking here for months as I prepared for my first triathlon. There's my first confession.
About me:
I'm a 24-year-old female living in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I swam competitively from the age of 7 to 16 and while I was no Michael Phelps, I managed to nail down a decent stroke. College ensued, I stopped exercising and packed on 50 pounds. Returned to the Y three years ago when I quit smoking and started running. Stumbled into a spin class in 2006 when endless miles on an indoor track led to a case of plantar fasciitis. Now I'm a part-time spinning instructor and full-time disgruntled journalist.

This was my very first triathlon. The all-female aspect was appealing, as was SheROX's mentor program. While I'm a novice triathlete, I'm a veteran racer and I know that this was one of the most thoroughly organized, supportive races I've participated in. It's made for beginners, as more than 50 percent of the participants were first-time triathletes.
Race Day:
After weathering reports of 96 degree heat and anxiety about the open swim, I woke up at 5:15 with bags packed and bike on car. Ate 1/2 cup oatmeal with berries and some hammer banana gel with plenty of water. Drank some coffee on my 40-minute drive. Arrived at transition around 6:45 and was fascinated that a volunteer had to write my bib number on both arms and both thighs. I did some practice swimming in the Schuykill River (pronounced Skoo-kull for all you non-Philadelphians out there) alleviated my open water fears, as well as dispelling my co-workers beliefs that A) I would be radioactive once I exited the water and B) I'd find a dead body. My goal was to break 2 hours, as my stumpy legs prevent me from running faster than 25-minute 5ks.
My age group, 20-24, was the second to last wave to go. While it was nice to see some of the pros transition from swim to bike ( and in the case of the winner, Rebeccah Wassner, from bike to run) waiting around for an hour only made me more anxious. Finally my wave got in the water around 9:10 and I treaded water, wondering what possibly drove me here.

Swim: 17:40
I placed myself near the back of the pack because most of these girls looked like fierce swimmers and I wanted to be conservative. So most of the first four minutes were spent trying to navigate around flailing arms and legs while looking out for buoys. I just kept my stroke fluid and tried to brace for a kick to the gut, which never came. The swim was a modified rectangle, with the first 300 meters upstream, 50 meters across the river, 350 meters downstream and the last 100 meters back across the river. I felt like I was out for a Sunday stroll, which was a problem. While I wanted to preserve energy, I realize now that without the ability to see my competitor hitting a flip turn on the wall in front of me (or even see my competitor at all) it was hard to pick up my pace. I think next time I'll start closer to the FOP, too.

T1: 1:55
I decided a week before the race when I fell attempting to do a flying mount and slip my feet into my cycling shoes while on the bike that i was just going to put my shoes on off the bike and clip in at the mount line. Grabbed my gel flask and realized about mile into the bike i had no place to store it, so I was forced to throw it away.

Bike: 56:03
Mostly flat course, lots of cornering, and two steep, but short hills.
I didn't stay in my aero bars for much of the race because I just started using them 2 months ago and don't have much control. Much of my time on the bike was spent trying to navigate around people who were hanging out in the left lane. But since this course was pretty flat, I just tried to find a comfortable gear and coast the first loop. Plenty of men along the course gawking at all these gorgeous women riding alongside of me in spandex and probably wishing they could ride 0.1 of what we could! My parents decided the turnaround point was the best place to scream my name and jump out, so I veered to the right (towards transition/dismount) instead of staying to the left for the second loop. But I swerved around a cone and a crash was averted. Since our ages were written on our calves, I spent most of the second loop admiring all the 45-year-olds passing me. I didn't drink enough and since I just started riding out on the road, I feel like my speed is only hindered by my fear of crashing. Plus the volunteer at the dismount line gave me lip when I clipped out late.

I heard a cyclist who just happened to be riding along the course gave up his bike to one girl when hers broke down so she could finish the race. Don't let our murder rate fool you. This really is the city of Brotherly Love.

T2: 1:44
Dumped my bike, helmet, slipped into my sneakers and I was off. I was fiddling with a watch and race belt for much of T2 so it was not as speedy as I had hoped.

Run: 28:33
Flat, but not so flat:
I love to run, but my stature works against me, or so I say. I average about 9 minute miles but can run faster when I feel the need. Obviously, I didn't feel the urgency. I started feeling euphoric right around mile 1, and cheering on everyone else. Plenty of water stops and an ice-cold towel at the turnaround was enough to keep me going. But by 2.5 miles, I was starting to break down. My dad, a marathon runner, came out and ran alongside the course for about .20 of the last mile, which helped. But I was mostly just sucking in the atmosphere and enjoying the view from West River Drive.

Total time: 1:45:57
I was thrilled with my time. I finished 16/73 in my age group and 202/1163 overall, and it leaves me with room for improvement. I'm heading into half-marathon training with my sights set on the Philly half-marathon in November.
I think I could cut down my bike time significantly and perhaps shave a minute or two off my swim time if I started swimming seriously again.

My biggest disappointment was that I didn't win the Orbea bike they gave away after the awards ceremony.