I rode my bike twice last week. TWICE. My road bike once and my tri bike once and guess what? I HAD SO MUCH FUN. Especially on my tri bike because I was decked out in my pink and black TriBella race kit riding my pink and black bike with my pink shoes and a huge grin on my face. I attracted a few looks from fellow triathletes also riding in the park…probably because they were mad that their race kit didnt match their bike.
Being back on my bike made me miss racing. ALOT. This lead me to sign up for the SheRox sprint tri in July. I haven’t done a sprint since my first ever triathlon and I am curious to see what I can throw down. Sprints hurt in a much different way than an Ironman. Sprint = high intensity for a short time. Ironman = low intensity for a looooooong time.
When I looked at the results from last year I noticed that I most likely would have placed in my age group. I told Phil that I would be pumped if I placed in my AG next month, but I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on myself and quickly dismissed the idea.
Phil told me that I need to go into this race with the attitude of winning because as soon as I let that competitive side go, I’ll throw in the towel. While I think he is right in many aspects, I have a hard time being a cut throat competitive athlete.
My plan is to go into this race with the mindset of pushing myself as hard as I can from beginning to end. I’ve never pushed my pace on the swim…I always hold back during the bike…and I always try and keep my heart rate down for the run. Not this time. I’m going at it 100% from beginning to end.
Depending on who shows up to race that day and how well I can keep the intensity up, my finishing time may earn me a trophy. And if not a trophy, a shiny new PR and a new love of the sport.
What do you guys think? If you thought you had a chance to place would you shoot for that? Or just be happy with whatever happens?
I think it depends (for me at least). It could be an awesome motivator, but I would worry about giving up if some diesel person came and beat me. I would probably make your A goal to win and then a B goal to have fun. I think either way it is great you are getting back to tris and loving it!
Go get yourself a TROPHY!! Going all-out and racing to the finish is what makes it so fun!
If you think you can make a time to podium or win, go for it. As you said, though, you can’t control who else will show up, and the field could be very, very strong this year, so make a time goal as well and pursue both. You wouldn’t want to slow up and race under your potential just because you happen to be winning, nor would you want to be discouraged with your fast-for-you race just because a superstar showed up.
I race for place sometimes; if you can get the entry list in advance, take a look at previous results of those entered in your division. See where you stack up against them on each of the legs, and don’t get intimidated or over-confident, just keep the data in mind.
As others have said, it’s so hard to know what times will win from year to year because you don’t know who else will show up. So I wouldn’t be so set on it that you are disappointed if you have a great race but don’t win. But I do think trying to race for the win will be a great motivator!
You can do it! I’ve never been able to consider going that fast, so it’s a non-issue for me
so glad you are having fun on the bike again! kudos for signing up for a race too!!!! i know you will do great! if you don’t mind sharing the details, luke && i would love to come cheer you on!!!!
I say set an aggressive time goal that would put you in contention for a podium finish. That way, when you meet the goal you’ll be happy…and if it just so happens you podium…BOOYAH!
I’d go with a balls-to-the-wall, take no prisoners, “I must crush you” mindset. I just did Rock Hall Sprint 2 weeks ago, where I came 2nd in AG last year when I was passed on the run halfway through. I was completely deflated and vowed I wouldn’t let that happen again. The guy had aged up, so I figured I had a good shot. I check my recent times and figured if nothing else, I could PR. I checked the registered list and was deflated. The guy who won the first sprint of the year and handed me a 3rd (by a good 6 minutes!) was also registered for this one. No worries, I had held back that race in a few spots. I studied his strengths and figured if I hung on his feet in the swim, and then crushed his spirit on the bike, I’d have a chance. He didn’t know who I was, so I’d be his silent killer… never been so pumped up for a race.
Well, the only time I saw him all day was the first 200 yards of the swim, and then on the podium. That didn’t stop me from crushing the course, PRing by about 4 minutes (even with nasty winds on the bike), and feeling great about the race. The guy still beat me, but only by 4 minutes, and this bike course was 3 miles longer.
So, race till you puke, and then race harder. There’s nothing worse than thinking you could have pushed it harder, or being passed within a quarter mile of the finish and thinking you had more to give on the bike or swim.
someday i want to be able to contemplate winning something! good luck