If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I’ve been training for the Iron Girl Triathlon all spring and summer. I did my first tri and my first Iron Girl 9 years ago and was hooked on tri races. I participated in a few a year for the next 5 years. I then decided to take a hiatus from tri races and focus on running longer distance racing. This past winter, I got the bug and decided I was ready to “Tri” again.
I roped a couple of MRTT friends into joining me for a warm up tri back in June and they were hooked.
We spent most of the summer biking, swimming and running. All of us really enjoyed training together and made it much more fun to work out during this very hot summer. I actually started to look forward to our bike/run brick days.
Fast forward-Race weekend is finally here! I tend to get so nervous before races and this time was no different. I especially stress about the swim. I’ve been working so hard on my swimming this summer however all of my swimming takes place in a pool. This race has an open water swim. And it’s been 5 years since I’ve swam in a lake!
My friend Holly and I headed to the race packet pick up. The expo was surprisingly small for a race of over 2000 women. We had some fun with the photo booths and loved the nice pink swag bag.
We headed over to Centennial Park in Columbia, Maryland to rack our bikes and get a sense of the swim course and transition area. Yup the swim still freaks me out a little (or a lot).
Race morning is here! Alarms go off at 4:45 as we need to be at the race venue by 5:30 (why do they need to start these things so darn early?!) It is still pretty dark out but the transition is lit up very well. We easily find our bike racking area and set up our transition gear. Lots of volunteers were present to do body marking. Who else loves having their age written on their calf?
My friend, Holly, is seriously cool as a cucumber. I’ve never seen her nervous. She has lots of experience with open water swims and that is certainly her strength. She knew how nervous the lake made me and she tried to give me a pep talk and a plan of attack. We had about an hour to stand around and watch the other waves go off. This should have calmed my nerves but it really just made me more nervous.
Finally time for the swim! Holly was off like a pro and I quickly lost sight of her. I really was disappointed in my swim performance. I have been swimming a lot this summer but for some reason my plan just went out the window as soon as I hit the water. I started doing lots of breast stroke which is super slow. I tried to talk myself out of my silly fears of the lake but I really had a hard time finding my rhythm. Ok swim done and ready to tackle the bike.
I must have been a little discombobulated because I ended up with only 1 bike glove on and it was backwards. What? The bike course is ridiculously hilly but so beautiful out in the country. It always feels like there are so many more up hills than down hills doesn’t it?
I felt pretty good on the bike. Tired legs but felt as though I gave it my all that day. T2 went pretty well. Time to run! I knew the run was hilly and I really felt it after that bike ride. It was getting pretty hot by this time and I was glad to see bags of ice for us to grab along the run.
My run felt harder than it had during my last few training bricks but I knew the end was near. Coming around the lake and hearing everyone cheering, gave me a little boost. I was glad to see that finish line! This race was a lot harder than I remembered 5 years ago but just as rewarding to cross the finish.
My overall finish time was pretty close to my time 5 years ago but I know that I can do better on that swim and definitely on the bike. Something to work on for next year because I certainly have the tri bug again. Feels good to be an Iron Girl!
I know this was a little long! Thanks for reading 🙂
Linking up
Angelina Marie, Sarah, & Michelle
Congrats Deborah! Open water is a big adjustment and pool swimming just doesn’t replicate. So glad you enjoyed yourself and are looking forward to another one. I might like to try this one, although summer tris are not usually my cup of tea – running in heat is my nemesis. Enjoy your achievement, and cool medal!
Thanks the open water was a tough one for me. It was hot but that’s our summer! I know I can do better and can’t wait to tri again next year.
CONGRATS! I want to do a tri really badly, as you know, and I think that this race (in Chicago) would be a great starting point for me. Now to find a bike!
Ah I think you would be great at it! The biking takes up a lot of time. It’s a lot of fun and I love the cross training
Congrats Deborah! You triathletes are definitely an inspiration!
Thanks Kathryn!
Congratulations on your finish. The swim I would also have trouble with. I’d be doing the breast stroke w you. Now you know what you need to work on for your next tri. It will give you another excuse to train have and a fun time w your. Girlfriends:)
Thanks I am not really a fan of the open water!
Congratulations! You should be so proud! That lake swim would freak me out too. I’m honestly not sure I could do it!
The medal is awesome too- Great job.
Thanks it really unnerves me! The medal is awesome.
Congrats, you are an Iron Girl! Swimming is the part I would struggle on too and the only reason I wouldn’t do a tri with a friend.
I love swimming in a pool but the lake freaks me out everytime!
Huge congrats!!! SO awesome, I admire anyone who has the ability to do tri- so challenging and I am sure just as rewarding! Thanks so much for linking up 🙂
Thanks friend it is rewarding!
congrats!!!! This is awesome! I know what you mean by the water portion, I live on a lake and yeah, I am not real keen about sticking my face in it and then after the stingray encounter in the ocean last Saturday I would have been a hot mess all around! Sounds like a great race after a 5 year break, you should be proud!
I am proud and that’s what I need to focus on not the dumb swim! Thanks friend
Congratulations on a strong race! I can’t even imagine completing the swim portion of a Tri. I think Iron Girls must be made of steel! That is a super cool medal too.
Thanks friend! The swim is tough for me :0
Congrats!!! You did awesome! You finished and got an awesome medal! The lake would definitely freak me out. Anyone that can swim, bike, and run is an inspiration to me! I still hope to do a tri some day!
Thanks so much! I am feeling good about it in general now I need to tackle that swim!
I will always remember this wonderful experience with you! Thanks for the recap and the pics. I hope to do more of these tri races together. And we will definitely do more training in the open water so you feel more comfortable next time 🙂
I’m so proud of you! You totally rocked it. I loved training with you and yes so many more races in our future together.
That is so cool! I really admire tri-athletes because the mental focus to go that long and that hard is amazing! We did a workout in the lake a few weeks ago that involved deadlifts on shore and then swimming out and around a buoy and it was HARD! Kudos to you!
thanks it was really fun and now I know what I need to work on some more
Congrats! The open water swims really freak me out as well. That is wonderful that you were able to do this 🙂 Great medal!
Thanks so much! I need to figure out how to tackle that lake!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is so awesome. I would have totally been freaking out about the swim, too, but you rocked it!
thanks so much friend! I need to figure out how to not freak out in the lake.
That is wonderful and so inspiring! Excellent job. I don’t know if I could ever do one because I don’t swim very often.
You definitely have to train for the swim but it is doable. I think it’s the hardest part for many.
Congrats! I think that’s amazing that’s you did an Iron. I really, really want to do a TRI, but I won’t be able to do the running part. Too bad I couldn’t walk that part because I sure have biking and swimming down!
Thanks! This was not a full iron man far from it. By the way, lots of ladies were walking the run.
Congrats! Triathlons definitely ignite a ‘bug’!
Thanks and yes they do!
Congratulations! Such a killer race!!! So much to be proud of! You’re one inspirational woman – here’s to hoping I complete a tri in 2016!!
Thanks so much! It was lots of fun and I loved the training. Hope you have the chance to tri one next year too.
Awesome race and great recap! How awesome to do a tri with all women! I got clobbered by the men in the swim last weekend and that totally sucked! You looked great in your Smashfest Queen Kit and what a blast to be able to train and race with two friends. Awesome work Deborah!!!
Thanks so much. I really prefer the all women races for just that reason. Guys get a little too competitive at these things on the bike and in the swim. Loved the smashfest kit-very comfy.
congrats ! Sounds like a great performance to me. I like to swim but am also scared of open water swims….
Thanks and they kind of freak me out too! I need to tackle that a little better.
same time as almost 5 years ago? SCORE!!! great job!
thanks for linking up!
Thanks! I have a few things I know I can work on for next year.
You are so inspiring!! And that is QUITE the early wake-up.
Thanks and I know why do they have to make them so early??
You finished, & that’s awesome! I really can’t even imagine doing a tri. That’s a whole lot of work!
It is a lot of work but very rewarding. Thanks! You can totally do it too.
I don’t bike so tris aren’t happening.
And I happen to love breast stroke, even if I do it my own way.
It’s actually the only stroke I made it to state finals with when I was a kid.
Well you should come teach me how to do breast stroke! I know I don’t do it right.
I suspect you’re being too hard on yourself. And I don’t do it right, either – plus I’m not fast, believe me! I don’t do anything fast. 🙂
Lol! Who cares as long as we move in a forward direction
Girl you are a rockstar!! There is no way I could have done this, so proud of you!
Thanks friend! I loved the training and the race was really challenging lots to work on for next time. You could totally do it!
Congratulations!!! It’s good to have things to work on,, but it sounds like you did great overall!
I was a little disappointed with my swim time for sure but happy overall.
Congratulations! I know you’ve been training hard. That medal is awesome!!
Thanks! I was a little bummed about my swim performance but overall a great race. I did train hard and that’s what matters right?!
Hi Iron Girl! Holy wow you have so much to be proud of! High five, Go iron girl GO !
Thanks so much!
Congratulations!!! That is so awesome! I cannot imagine how difficult this race must have been, but it sounds like you really gave it your all. I know that open water swimming would freak me out in a big way. Way to go for meeting that challenge head on!
Something to work on for sure!
Congrats on an awesome race, friend!! A huge kudos to you for tackling the swim in the lake!!
Love the medal and so, so happy for you! xx
Thanks so much! That lake is my nemesis for sure
Congrats!!! I’m so in awe of you guys that do tris. That’s a huge accomplishment!
Thanks so much! It’s lots of fun and I like be the training
Congrats on the race! They have Iron Girl here in Florida but it’s just a 5k and half marathon, no tri’s. I did the half this year as my first half and they put on great events!
I would be really nervous for the swim too. That’s seriously what holds me back most from doing a tri- I can’t really swim that well and don’t want to practice in the ocean by myself because it makes me nervous! I don’t like water where I can’t see the bottom.
Coming back to a tri after 5 years though, it sounds like you did well and had a blast! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and love all your cute outfits!
Omg I would never do one in the ocean! I would be too scared. Yes they do put on a great race.
Congratulations! Sounds like you had a great time, and that medal is pretty cool 🙂
Thanks so much it was lots of fun and yes cool medal indeed!
Way to go! That bling is pretty awesome!! And I’m loving your tri suit! Love the black and pink! Congrats on becoming an iron girl again 🙂
Thanks it was a fun race and I’m glad I am back in
Sorry I am so late replying but congrats on your Iron Girl! This is awesome. From someone who can not swim and has lake fears too- You did great!
Thanks friend! I am a little disappointed with the lake swim but hey there is always next year. 🙂
Congrats, Deb!! I will have to try Iron Girl on year. After finishing Quantico (you need to do this next year)…I think I’m getting hooked!
It’s so much fun isn’t it! I want to talk to you about quanrico and hear how it went.
Congratulations! I’ve never been bitten by the tri bug, so it’s probably safe to say there’s not one in my future. I am in awe of you though! The open water would freak me out!
Thanks! Open water does freak me out a bit. I need to tackle that one before next year.