Team Member: Diane Dutcher

Race Name: Beaver Lake Sprint Triathlon

Race Date: 08/21/2010

Race Placement/Time/Qualification: 1st AG; 1:34:27

Tell us about your race (limit 500 words)…:
This race was a “first” for me on several fronts:

1. First race since my cross-country move to Portland, OR

2. First West Coast triathlon; these will be become more normal since I’m now living out here!

3. First time racing with road rash covering the entire left side of my body (due to a rough run-in with the streetcar tracks earlier in the week)

4. First time that a “sprint” triathlon actually consisted of a 4.5 mile run, as well as 4-mile long “staircase” hill on the bike course (even the best cyclists couldn’t seem to hold a pace better than 10 mph; it was pretty ugly!)

5. First time racing in 62 degree water withOUT a wetsuit (pulling it on and off with all my road rash proved to be too painful and difficult, so I simply went without and pushed through the chill)

6. Partially due to #5, I was 3rd out of the water for my age group, which has NEVER happened. I am typically at the bottom of the group, playing catch-up for the rest of the race…but I felt really strong (and freezing!) during this swim.

All in all, it was a solid race despite all of the new situations. I really struggled during the bike course, as I didn’t get a chance to review the course beforehand, so the 4-mile long staircase climb was unexpected (and unwelcome) at that point I was able to pull myself together for the run, though, and felt strong coming through the finish line. My friend, Michelle, raced with me and came out 3rd in our AG so it was fun to see her on the course; we pushed each other up those hills, but I broke away on the run.

I look forward to more of these Pacific NW races; they are a different kind of beast with the landscape up here.