Race Result

Racer:	Karen Tine
Race:	Luray Sprint Triathlon
Date:	Sunday, August 16, 2009
Location:	Luray, VA
Race Type:	Triathlon - Sprint
Time:	1:51:42
Overall Place:	187 / 520
Age Group Place:	3 / 23
Comment:	My first top three age group placement!

Race Report:

Swim - 0:17:02 (39th female)
T1 - 0:02:52 (91st female)
Bike - 1:02:16 (49th female)
T2 - 0:01:38 (109th female)
Run - 0:27:55 (54th female)

I had fun cheering on Mike and a bunch of friends on Saturday at the Olympic tri which inspired me for the Sprint on Sunday. This event is my only Sprint for the year and I wanted to go as hard as I could.

We stayed in cabins near the race and had an awesome potluck dinner on Saturday night. Jen, thanks for talking me out of the heavy ice cream dessert – that definitely made me faster on Sunday morning!

We arrived at the race with plenty of time to set up transition and catch up with friends. I warmed up in the water for ten minutes and waited for my wave. We had a few minutes to position ourselves in the water. It was very shallow on the left side with lots of rocks. I thought back to how I broke my toe on the swim exit of my first tri and decided to find a non-rocky area – over to the right side was just right.

Off we went. I felt good until I was kicked in the ribs a few minutes into the swim. After I caught my breath I found a good rhythm and kept pace with several women around me. After the first turn, I stayed with the pack but eventually was swimming out to the left. I must learn to swim straighter! I rounded the last turn and picked up my pace to head in to shore.

Ran up the stairs to transition. Then off on the bike. I forgot how quickly the first hill appears! There were a few false flats and a nice big downhill where I hit 40 mph – my fastest speed on a bike! I was not looking forward to climbing back up that hill toward the end of the ride…

Nice finish into T2 and then off to the run. It was hot and I was not looking forward to more hills! I waved to a colleague as I started the run. I wanted to start as quickly as I could and was surprised that my legs felt better than expected – must have been the standing climb on that last hill that helped! I passed a couple of people which helped me push through the heat and hills. I walked a little after the first water stop and was excited to finally see the turn around. At the FeXY water stop on the way back, Shawn gave me a shower of water to cool down. I walked a little here and there after that and continued to move toward the finish. After the last uphill, I gave it everything I had. Rounding the last corner, I heard Mike cheering me on and used the boost to make it to the finish.

We cheered in others and left just before the awards ceremony. I was surprised when Lisa called me later that afternoon to tell me we left too soon – I came in third in my age group! My first top three age group finish! I will definitely be back next year!