My Solo Chatfield Olympic Distance Triathlon, June 28, 2014

When your Ironman training schedule says it's time for an Olympic distance triathlon (1 mile swim/25 mile bike/6.2 mile run), you do it. And when you and your hubby decide not to spend money on too many races this summer because it's an Ironman summer and they have all of our money, you do it solo. Self supported. With the transition area neatly set up in the back of the Subaru. 

And with still scabbed over and healing "blood owie" all covered up with fancy "waterproof" bandages. It was still decidedly uncomfortable under my wet suit but I toughed it out.  And it wasn't really waterproof but served it purpose to at least keep the dirt and grime out. 

I staged the event in Chatfield Lake State Park at the gravel pond. I was greeted at the entrance of the park by these beautiful hot air balloons and just happened to get a cyclist riding by in the picture. 

Ahh, the gravel pond. My happy place. It was finally time for my first open water swim of the season. And the water was perfection. I relished the cool water even though I flinched as it trickled into my wet suit. I did a quick warm up out to the sand bar, which is about 300 meters off the shore, then headed south to the far end of the lake. There and back to the start at the north shore is a total of 1500 meters or roughly 1 mile. Time of swim: 33:16. Not too shabby. And it felt short, considering I'm swimming 3000 yards twice a week now, I would hope it would feel short. Yes, the LONG swim to the south shore felt short when last year, it was the longest stretch of water there ever was. Progress. 

After the longest T1 (swim to bike transition) in history (I had to walk to the car, take the bike down off the rack, etc., etc.), I was off on my bike for my 25 mile ride. It was uneventful but had a lot of nice variation to it. I was able to drop down on my aero bars for a good portion of it which helps to continue to build my confidence in this position, and I had some climbing and descending, as well. This ride also felt very short. 26.44 miles in 1:32; I was happy with that. 

Now off for my very slow, and very hot 6.2 mile run. And I chose to hit the concrete path for my first 3 miles so I could refill my water at the halfway point. Slowest 3 miles ever. I was miserable but I plodded on, slowly. At the halfway point back at the car, I slugged some cold water, refilled my bottles, ate half of a Espresso Chip Bonk Breaker bar (SO yummy) and carried on south on the dirt path towards Waterton Canyon. Bingo. Feeling better. Needed some calories. The salted caramel Gu on the first half of my run wasn't enough meaning I didn't take in enough calories on the bike. Noted. 

I was feeling great by mile 5! Yay! (Insert sarcastic face here.) 

This view was prettier in person. I also forgot to restart my Garmin after stopping to take this picture until about half a mile down the trail so I didn't have an accurate time on my run. I think it was about 1:09 or so. I'll take it. My first solo Olympic distance triathlon was in the books and I could check off another successful training session. 

Yay, me! All done! 

And bonus, when I got home, Cooper came running up to the car and asked me if I won my race. I told him yes, but that I was the only one racing. Without another word, he disappears into the house and returns with a medal for me. I was touched beyond words. My sweet and thoughtful boy. 

I really need to work on my selfie expressions but nevertheless, I was thrilled to be presented with this old Denver Marathon Relay medal from 2007 as my award for winning my race. Thank you, Cooper. If you keep doing stuff like this, the girls will be knocking each other over trying to get to you. I love you, buddy.