Sunday, July 17, 2016

Capital of Dreams (WW # 50)

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!




This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia at MissSippiPiddlin.    The purpose of this link is to connect with and support other active women. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!  {See rules}   

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M - Ran: 5 Miles Easy (10:11)
T -  Cycled: 13 Miles (14.1 mph)
W - Ran: 5 Miles @ MRP (9:57)
T -  Swam: 25 Minutes
F -  REST
S -  Triathlon // Swam: 400m  Cycled: 20k  Ran: 5k
S -  Ran: 12 Miles Slow


Week Two Chicago Marathon Training:

This week was a weird try-to-run-but-also-taper-for-triathlon scenario.  I cut out my double workouts.  For the last month or longer, I've been swimming most nights after my evening meal settles.  I didn't do that this week and took rest days on Thursday and Friday (except for a short swim Thursday morning).  On Sunday, I finally got my first double digit run completed since mid May.  Now I feel much better about my marathon training.  Weekly run miles = 25.


Capital of Dreams Sprint Triathlon Recap:

My Capital of Dreams Sprint Triathlon day started early.  After racking my bike in transition, I had some time to kill.  I scoped out the bike in/out locations, run in/out locations, ate my banana, and went down to check the riverboat and swim area.  I was treated to a gorgeous sunrise.   Racers had to board the Harriett II, an beautifully elegant 19th century riverboat, by 7:00.

The riverboat would take us to the swim start where we had to jump from her lower deck into the water.  Who gets to do that?  Actually, they announced only two races in the US start with a jump from a boat!  This race is always limited to the number of people that will fit on the boat.  Each swimmer would jump in about 5 seconds apart.  The Harriott II would proceed up the river to take the Olympic distance racers to their swim start.




My goal for the swim was to remain calm, breathe in rhythm, and control my heart rate.  I've done so much extra swimming this past month including three open water swims and had high hopes of a great swim leg.  Spoiler...that didn't happen.  I am at ease in river water, lake water, and deep water.  It wasn't that.

Last year, the river current helped swimmers clock some fantastic times.  I was counting on that, maybe a little too much. As I waited on my turn to jump in, my HR rose quickly as the director yelled to signal jumps "GO 89... GO 90... GO 91... "  Whew, the actual jump was not bad.  But once I started swimming, I didn't seem to be going anywhere. My HR was already high and where was that river current?  Nowhere to be found.  In fact, I think we were swimming against it!  The results indicate the swim times were much higher than last year.  And mine?  Extra "not good".  I still can't fathom the length of time I swam!  Swim = 14:40   {Ugh!}
 



It was a loonnngggg way from the end of the swim to the transition area (with ramps and stairs no less) so I knew the T1 time would be high.  I jogged as best I could on bare feet, removing my swim cap and goggles, and fixing my ponytail as I went {priorities, people!}.  I put on my race bib, helmet and Garmin -- remembering this time to wake it up!  I dried my feet quickly and put on my socks and shoes while standing.  I ate a GU, drank Gatorade Endurance, took my bike off the rack and was gone! T1 = 4:59 {Ugh!}

Obviously at this point I can tell I'm way behind.  The whole place was cavernously empty.  I decided not to fret about it, do the best I could and enjoy it.  The bike route was flat except for a significant hill over the Interstate which we had to cross going out and again on our way back.  It was not particularly scenic and on a coned-off lane of a busy highway.  I didn't notice the heat as I was making my own breeze.  I only drank probably 12 ounces of GE on the bike. Thankfully, I passed a handful of racers during this leg. Always satisfying.  One young lady I passed multiple times and she continuously blocked the left side. I later saw she was awarded with several penalties.   I hoped to maintain a speed over 15 mph.  My Garmin reported an average speed of 16.7 mph. Yes!!  Bike = 45:50 {Yippee}


 

Back in transition (which was housed in an old train station -- and thus very LONG), I racked my bike and took off my helmet.  I fixed my ponytail {again, priorities!}, swallowed a salt capsule, drank more Gatorade Endurance, and grabbed a GU to take with me.  T2 = 2:19  {Meh}

I've run countless races downtown and knew exactly what the run would be like.  HILLY.  The route went up over 120 feet, mostly in the first mile or so.  I also knew there would be a nice downhill.  It is pretty around the capital and state buildings so I can report this leg was historic and scenic.  The plan was to go slowly in the first mile, eat my GU, and locate my running legs.  They show up about a half mile in.  I stuck to that plan pretty well.  By this time, the feels-like temp was well over 90 degrees.  I dumped ice in my top at the water stops and tried to make up some of my slow first mile on the downhill section.  Gamin splits: 11:19 / 9:29 / 9:39 / 7:52  Run = 30:58  {Mmm...OK}



My official finish time was 1:38:48.  Although disappointed with the swim, I was quite pleased with the bike leg and the run leg was OK too -- considering what had proceeded it.   I was nowhere near the podium on this race.  In fact, it may be the first time I've placed absolutely last in my age group. Ha!  I did beat some younger folk.  Always satisfying.




I still consider this a win!  * For completing my second sprint triathlon.  * For being able to push myself in different ways. * For being healthy and injury free.  * For enjoying the great outdoors on a beautiful day.   I can't complain.

And that's a wrap! 


96 comments:

  1. Definitely a win, Holly! Hell just jumping off that riverboat is a huge win in my book. You did awesome and I love that you are sticking with tris! Congrats!

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    1. Thanks, Marcia! There is another sprint Tri in a nearby town in 5 weeks. But my struggle with this swim has got me re-thinking that. It will be in a state park with waterfall, so the scenery would be nice. But...

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  2. Congrats on your tri! Very impressive. And all your reasons for it being a win are spot on!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa. It's hard to complain when I love to be outside on a pretty day. I'll take a poor swim, ride or run over sitting inside any ol' day.

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  3. I applaud anyone who does a tri - that is just such a daunting race in my mind. What a gorgeous finisher picture - you look so fit and happy!

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    1. Thanks, Shelley. There is so much to thinking about for a Tri. I made a list on my phone that I check, and re-check to make sure I don't forget something I need or an important step in the race requirements.

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  4. Congrats! You look awesome crossing that finish line, so happy.

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    1. Thank you, Shandy Jo. I was ecstatic to be crossing that finish line!

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  5. Absolutely a win! I think you did great. You are just getting your tri legs, so to speak, and don't forget it's HOT! Just think what you could do if it were a little cooler . . . but then you're pretty cool. And didn't get eaten by an alligator.

    Congrats!

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    1. Thanks, Judy. It's a catch 22. You want the heat for the swim, but not for the ride or run. I overheard so many people talking and worried about alligators. I was pretty certain they wouldn't want to be anywhere near that big riverboat.

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  6. As much as I don't love a tri swim where there are 50 people kicking me in the face, fighting for water space, I don't think I would love starting the swim totally alone, even if it was just 5 seconds behind another racer.

    For being only your 2nd tri, I am so impressed. Especially with the method you seem to have down for your transitions. Gotta fix that pony tail.

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    1. Thanks, Jessie. I heard the swimmer behind me hit the water as I came up above the water from my jump. It was pretty quick. I had a lot of swimmers around me and unfortunately passing me. Those swim caps eat up my short ponytail!

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  7. Huge win, in my book! I'm sure if I did a tri, the swim would negate any speed I had on the bike and the run. so humbling!

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    1. Thanks, Wendy. It's extra humbling after doing so much better with the shallow swim at my first Tri. I wasn't panicked or anything -- it just took so long.

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  8. Thank you, Karen. Yes, the riverboat was extra unique. The other race that uses a boat is at Alcatraz. I thought that was a neat piece of trivia. I was very relieved to get that 12 miler in the day after the Tri.

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  9. Congrats on your 2nd tri - absolutely a win! Jumping off the riverboat must have been so wild!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. It was definitely something unique!

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  10. Congratulations! Even if you broke a last place record it sounds like you did well and most of all had fun!

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    1. Thank you Coco. If you can't have fun, and hopefully learn something, why even Tri?

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  11. Congrats on your tri finish! Jumping off a boat sounds awesome!

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    1. Thanks, Christine. The boat jump was a little unsettling (but shouldn't have been) and also a very cool, unique thing to experience.

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  12. You are amazing, Holly!!! Totally a win! I can't wrap my mind around swimming for that long... I admire all triathletes!

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    1. Thank you, Amy. It didn't feel like I was in the water that long. Maybe 10 minutes at the most. I'm in awe of the triathletes that swim those long distances!

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  13. Congrats on your tri! The transition times sould like the hardest part - although the swim doesn't sound easy either!

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    1. Thanks, Laura. In some cases, you can't help but have a longer transition time because of the race layout. But at least everyone is faced with the exact same problem.

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  14. A definite WIN! Congratulations! Enjoy your accomplishment! Cute medal!

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    1. Thank you. I may need a separate Tri medal rack if I keep this up.

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  15. HUGE win!!!! The water freaks me out (like I've NEVER said that before).....I think jumping in would make it even more difficult to get in a rhythm than just wading in (??). I think you did excellent ;-)

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    1. Thanks, Kim. I thought some people would dive to start their swim, but everyone I saw jumped. But, it only took a several seconds to surface and get your bearings. It just felt hard. I really do think the current was flowing the opposite way -- which sounds insane.

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  16. Great job! Love the medal. And getting to jump from a riverboat? How cool!!

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  17. Congratulations ! The riverboat jump is so cool. And pain free ? that is definitely worth celebrating !

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    1. Thank you, Karen. After hearing this race was one of only two Tris that start on a boat, it felt that much more unique and special. I'm glad I participated.

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  18. Wow!!! Way to go oh that tri!!! Congrats!!

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    1. Thanks! I definitely need to work on my swimming if I want to progress.

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  19. Great job on the sprint tri, I love that you got to jump off a boat to start, although sorry your swim felt so rough.

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    1. Thanks, Christy. The riverboat was definitely a cool feature of the race.

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  20. WOW! Jumping off the riverboat sounds kind of awesome!! Dang river current, though!!

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    1. I know! I was really counting on that river current. Last year this race was held in the spring. That may have made the difference.

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  21. Congrats on the finish! How cool to jump off the back of the boat for the swimming start! I am super impressed how you have just got out there and got it done! Way to go! and the cool medal is nice too!

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    1. MB, you well know as a skier I am comfortable in this kind of water. At least that works in my favor. I was not panicked, just slow. I knew I'd get there.

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  22. Congrats! The swim portion is what is keeping me away from tris. Way to beat some younger runners :)

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    1. Thanks, Lesley. The shallow water tri I did first does seem now like a totally different animal than the deep water swim I just did. It could be just mental, but still affects you.

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  23. Congrats on your tri! I'm very impressed. If that were me, I don't think I'd have jumped off the boat! What a way to start a race though. You look happy in your finish picture--you deserve to be proud of your effort! Will you be focusing on marathon training from now or will you do another tri?

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. The boat jump wasn't that scary...except for the countdown. I practiced jumping off my own diving board a lot! I may do one more Tri. It's a nice cross-training distraction.

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  24. Definitely a win! Great job on that bike section. And in spite of the swim being tough, how cool that you got to start by jumping off the boat.

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    1. Thank you! The bike section is definitely my favorite leg since the run is at the end when you feel SO TIRED.

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  25. Congratulations on your Tri! I'm sorry you didn't place, but I'm with you on this being a win !! This is so amazing!

    ja ja...I had to laugh at the fixing the ponytail priority! That is the best!

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    1. Thanks! A swim cap massacres my short pony tail and so does the bike helmet. Got to fix that!

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  26. Congratulations on your triathlon! I love the medal for it. It has to be weird to be training in running but also wanting to taper enough to be fresh for a tri. So sorry about the placing thing, but it takes a lot of guts to even do a triathlon (I never have), so I think just participating in one is a big accomplishment. Hope you get some recovery and have a good week!

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    1. Thanks, Amy! I didn't know how to handle the taper without sacrificing runs. I think I did OK. At least I didn't feel tired the morning of the race.

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  27. Way to go, and definitely a win for you! Kudos to you for pushing through and finishing. I doubt you placed last in your age group though.

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    1. Thanks. Yes, I did place last. It's one of those times where had I been a younger age I would have placed. Although my group was small, they were all seasoned triathletes.

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  28. Definitely a win! I'm in awe of you jumping off a riverboat for that swim in the river - amazing!!

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    1. Yes, that was definitely high on the coolness factor.

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  29. Congrats!!!!!!! The medal is sooo cool, and the pic of the river boat just beautiful! Huge congrats, and have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. I was happy to catch that sunrise while I was strolling along the docks. They were just beginning to mark the swim course too.

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  30. Congrats on another tri! That lady on the bike would have bugged me. I wonder if she didn't know (& learned from the penalties) or was completely oblivious? As always, I'm impressed by your new tri chapter! Have a good week!

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    1. Her age (22) was written on her calf. Maybe she just didn't know? She does now after 6 minutes in penalties. We swapped places probably 20 times. I won out though!!

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  31. I think you are always your worst critic! You did an amazing job. I do have a question, how did your time start with you all going 5 seconds apart on the boat. A mat right at the jump? Your getting better and better at these you know. I am thinking a simple half is not going to be challenging enough for your soon, lol :)

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    1. Thanks, my friend. There was no mat on the boat. The race officially started with the time of the first jumper. The directors was looking an electronic device as she called out for each jumper. The first timing mat was on the dock. I think they added 5 seconds for each jumpers starting time.

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  32. Absolutely a win! I don't know if I could have jumped off that boat! I mean, I guess you do what you have to do and you're already out there, but gosh - that's crazy!

    Congratulations on a wonderful tri - i'm sorry the swim didn't go quite as planned, but you totally made up for it.

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    1. Thanks, Jenn. We jumped from the side of the lower deck. It was probably only 3 feet to the water. I practiced multiple times jumping off my own diving board.

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  33. Awesome recap, Holly, and congrats on finishing another tri! You had me out of my comfort zone just reading about jumping off the boat and swimming against the current in the open water.

    Thanks (as always) for the linkup!

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    1. Thanks, Deb. Everything sounds and seems scary to me until I can see it. Once I have a visual, I'm usually OK. The boat jump was not terrifying. I sure was counting on swimming with that current though.

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  34. I am definitely not surprised you did another tri! Great job! That is crazy that you jump off the boat for the swim start. Awesome! Love them medal and kudos on racing in that heat!

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    1. Thanks, The great thing about Tris is that you really don't notice the heat until you get to the run portion. That's in stark contrast to a summer half marathon where I would suffer from step one!

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  35. Totally a WIN! Fantastic recap! You did awesome! Congrats!

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    1. Thanks, Sherry. These Sprint Tris are a nice cross-training distraction for me so that I don't put too much pressure on my marathon training. Last year was a crushing blow and I don't want to think about that. LOL.

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  36. you rocked it-you are such an inspiration not only as a triathlete but doing triathlons in the humid summer!

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    1. That's the good thing about a Tri. You are completely soaked for the ride and don't notice the heat until the last event.

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  37. Sounds like a rough one, but at least you finished! Way to go!!

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    1. Thanks. I definitely need to become a better swimmer if I want to progress.

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  38. Would wearing swim shoes help in the transition for your next tri?

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    1. I've not seen people wearing any footwear during the swim leg. Personally, I think they would have too much drag in the water. I'd have to check to see if they were allowed.

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  39. You are such a badass. #inspiration

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  40. Congratulations, HoHo! Way to push through some very challenging conditions! You are really becoming a guru at these triathlons! I am fascinated by the set up with having to jump off the boat to start the swim. That would take a lot of coordination! Beautiful medals and you look fabulous in your run picture. Rock on!!!!!!!!

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    1. Thanks, Emily. The race direction was wonderful. I think they only do Tri's. They knew exactly what to do on the boat to get everyone overboard on time.

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  41. Congrats! Awesome job Holly!! So cool that you get to jump from such a neat Riverboat! Great shot of you on the course and awesome medal!

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    1. Thanks, Sharon. One of my kids took that picture. The boat jump was very unique.

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  42. Congratulations! I have such admiration for triathletes, and on top of that you still ran a ton of miles as part of marathon training. Great job!!

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    1. I so admired the ladies in my age group at that race. They were fierce. If I had any hope of competing, I've got to become a much stronger swimmer!

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  43. You are awesome. I can't even imagine swimming & biking. I have enough problems running.

    You make us old ladies look cool. Keep it up. I'll live vicariously through you.

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    1. Thanks, Darlene. The bike is my favorite leg. It's cooler and your heart rate isn't as high as running. But hey, maybe that's because I'm not very fast. Anyway -- it's something new, fun and challenging.

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  44. oh wow! having to start the tri by jumping off a boat?how cool!!!! GREAT job on yet another triathlon!!! I admire your drive and courage to do it! LOVE the medal btw, and a quick question- how did they time everyone accurately with the 5 second waves-timing mat on the platform? just curious
    :)

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    1. They did not have a timing mat on the boat. The director had an electronic device that she was looking out and calling out when the next swimmer should jump. We were lined up in order by our bib #s. The first mat I saw was at the dock just after we climbed the ladder to get out.

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  45. Congrats on finishing the tri! That's way more than I could do, although I love the idea of jumping off the back of the boat...

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    1. Not that it makes any difference, but they opened a section on the side of the riverboat for us to jump from. I thought we would jump from the front.

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  46. 2nd tri CONGRATS! I am so terrified of open water swims and jumping off a boat beforehand? Yikes! Sorry the current didn't work with you but you completed the swim in a relaxed state and did great the rest of the way. Is this your final triathlon before Chicago?

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    1. There is another one nearby next month. I'm torn. I know I should be focusing on the marathon, but it's a nice cross-training diversion.

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  47. Congrats on your 2nd tri!!! That swim sounds quite daunting, I would have been a nervous wreck before the jump from the boat (but I certainly would have felt bad@ss afterwards)!

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    1. Thanks, Vicki. I was pretty calm until we lined up to jump. My heart rate quickly got way up there and did not recover during the swim.

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