On Saturday, I competed in my second race of the season. I went to Charlotte, NC to do a sprint triathlon called the MAP Triathlon. While I have done this race three times before, it has been a couple of years since I have been back there for the race.

The race is put on by a group called Set-Up Inc. They organize a series of races in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. They always do a wonderful job, so I really enjoy their races!

The MAP Triathlon consisted of a 500 yd (pool) swim, a 10 mile bike, and a 5k run. The distances are a lot shorter than I usually do, but I wanted to get in at least one sprint triathlon as a tune-up for my bigger races in April.

Since the swim portion takes place in a pool, each athlete starts 10 seconds apart based on predicted swim times. I felt fortunate because I had the second start time. Only one guy went off before me and since he was super fast, I had clear space in the lanes. I felt pretty strong on the swim overall. I did struggle some with the turns. We had to snake our way down the pool flipping under the lane lines to get into the next lane. I found it pretty easy to do on the way down, but struggled with it on the way back as I had to flip to the opposite side of the one that I usually flip on. On the harder side, I would scrape my back along the lane line as I tried to push off! It was frustrating and funny at the same time.

As soon as I finished the swim, I climbed out of the pool and ran out to the transition area in a nearby parking lot. I was freezing! With a temperature in the high 30's to low 40's, I was not looking forward to biking in a wet swim suit with wet hair! I actually took the time to put on a long sleeve jersey before I got on my bike. I did not have time to put on any other extra clothing. In a race that short, every second counts and I did not want to stand in the transition area all day.

I headed out on the bike which took place on the roads in downtown Charlotte. I quickly realized (as I hit pothole after pothole) that the roads had not been repaved since the last time I had done this race. However, the potholes became the least of my problems as I tried to fight the cold on the bike. While my upper body (covered in the jersey) felt great, my legs soon started to feel numb, which made it very difficult for me to pedal. I just kept reminding myself that it was only a ten mile bike and that everyone else was having to deal with the same conditions. Despite trying to think positive, I do think the cold started to effect my thinking as I found myself making stupid mistakes in selecting my gearing on the uphills and the downhills. I just could not think straight!

I eventually made it through the bike and headed into the transition for the run. I think I was a little too excited to be done with the bike. As I came into the transition area, I dismounted my bike normally, but somehow my bike shoe (still on the pedal) hit the road funny and I slipped with the bike. It all happened so fast, but as I remember it, the bike slid out from under me. I was able to keep myself from hitting the ground, but I do think I slowed the guy behind me as he tried to avoid hitting me from behind. Fortunately, I regrouped and ran into the transition area.

A funny side note to my not so graceful, dismount was that Scott Dawson ( Scott and his wife Lori are special friends who have helped me tremendously with training whenever I am in Charlotte) had just turned to a friend of his and said watch Kelly's flying dismount. Scott was referring to the quick dismount that we do in our pro races. As my biked slipped and I stumbled over it, he turned to the friend and said "nevermind." Sorry to disappoint, Scott! I promise I am usually much more graceful. I am just going to blame it on not being able to think straight because of the cold!

The run was my favorite part of the race on Saturday! I felt fantastic running! I had an awesome cheering section with my Mom, Dad, Chad, Erin all there supporting me. Since the run consisted of two park loops followed by a third outer loop, I got to run by them three times. It was so helpful to hear them cheering! I think they also got lots of pictures which will be posted on my website soon.

I finished the race in 56:27. I did not know it right away because of the different swim start times, but I ended up winning by about 2.5 minutes. I was pleased because I had no idea where my other competitors were throughout the run.

The race served as a great tune-up for my World Cup Races next month. I got some kinks out and really enjoyed racing such a short, fast race! It was a lot of fun.

A special thanks to my family and Scott and Lori Dawson. It was so nice to have my entire family at a race! I also really appreciate all the help Scott and Lori have given me in learning the best places to train and the groups to swim and ride with in Charlotte.

Now, on to Honolulu and Mexico in April! I am really looking forward to both World Cup Races! I leave for Honolulu a bit early this year as I am going out for an Asics photo shoot (more on that later) and will race the following Saturday.

Thanks for your support!

Have an awesome week and a very Happy Easter!

Kelly