MAD DOG MADEIRA BEACH TRIATHLON RACE REPORT

Last year I relayed this race (swim) and really wanted to participate individually this year. Since it fell the weekend after the 70.3, I waited to see how I would feel post-race before dropping the $80 (!) to sign up. By Friday, I was certain I could do this race with no issues so I snagged one of the last open spots. I wasn't sure what to expect for registering so late but I ended up with a sweet rack in transition! It was way better than the elites LOL

General Overview:

-Put on by the Mad Dogs Triathlon club for 25 years so it's established, organized and run like a well-oiled machine.

-Longest sprint distance in the area: 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile bike, 5K run

-Great bike course

- The waters off of Madeira Beach are gorgeous.

-There's also a great post-race party but that's not really my thing so I can't say first hand

(I'm the sasquatch in the florescent "procrastinator cap")

Swim: 1/2 mile

Time: 18:11

My swim wave was females 39 and under which ended up being close to 120 women. The crowds don't bother me but I think larger wave groups are better suited for out and back swims or deep U-shaped swims. This was out 30 feet (at best) and then a right turn at the first buoy with the majority of the swim along the beach. It was a crowded mess. I couldn't even doggy paddle there were so many bodies and to be honest, I'm not one to swim over people. I feel like it's bad race karma and really just not necessary. Yes, of course it's gets rough but I'm not going to intentionally interfere with another person's race just to save a few seconds. Needless to say, it was a very slow swim, over 3 minutes slower than my swim time last year.

T1: 1:25

Bike: 15 miles

Time: 42:06 (21.4 avg. speed!)

Okay, this is where I got fired up. I was ready to put all those Spinervals DVDs to the test and really see how much I've improved over last year. It. Was. Awesome. I felt so strong on the bike and I was having a great time. Last year, my average speed for sprints was barely 18 mph so I am super stoked that I averaged 21.4 mph! Whoot! *happy dance*

For the majority of the bike, everyone was in great spirits, courteous, and following all the USAT rules like good little triathletes. Then came the last few miles and things took an ugly turn. There was a group of 5 or six women who were riding 3 deep and refused to accelerate to pass/be overtaken or just get the eff out of the way. There was another female, a gentlemen and myself who could not get around these idiots. So there we are, about 8 or 9 bikes in less than the width of a car lane packed in like sardines trying to avoid manholes and cones. It was very dangerous and I was furious that these women were putting so many people in danger. There were some words exchanged and we finally got around them only to have them come up and do it again about 200 yards from dismount! I just backed down at that point to get as far away from them as possible.

On a cheerier note, there was a young girl who was only 15, competing in a bathing suit on a road bike and keeping up with the big girls! She was incredible but I was even more impressed that when I passed her, she told me "good job!" Then when she passed me on the run, she had more encouraging words to share. I ran a little while with her, told her how impressed I was and wished her good luck as she sped off. She really made my day and exemplified the sportsmanship that many athletes twice her age lack.

T2: 1:01

Run: 3.1 miles

Time: 30:43 (ugh!)

Clearly, this sucked. I wasn't quite as recovered as I thought after the 70.3. The second half of the race was on the sandy beach which is no bueno. Fortunately, I encountered a lot of funny and friendly folks that kept me smiling. Just like usual though, 3 or 4 fellow age groupers passed right on by. I always lose a ton of time on the run but one of these days I'll be fast, too! :)

Team Tri-A-Licious!

Results: 1:33:25

12/40 Age Group

390/1000 Overall

Overall, I'm glad I did. I was able to be there with Christy for her second tri ever and first ocean swim... which she crushed by the way. She's always my biggest cheerleader when it comes to running so it was nice to return the favor.

I did have this nagging "blah" feeling though and it took me a few days to figure it out. I think I was trying to relive the magic of the 70.3 in a some way. That race was absolutely my greatest athletic achievement and I wasn't ready to let it go. Obviously, I didn't find what I was looking for and I realize now that I can't. At least not until NOLA. So for now, I am just going to enjoy the sprints for what they are and have fun along the way.