Although this race is only a prep for IMTX, it is a chance for me to make sure I have all the details ironed out.
Goal for this race is to stay in the moment and push my body to its physical and mental limits.
The swim course is known for rough conditions. And growing up in St. Pete I have first handily seen the marine life caught from it. Water temperature in Tampa Bay is 80-81 degrees, non-wetsuit swim (this will be good practice for IMTX non-wetsuit swim). But if I were to choose a sport within the three disciplines I feel most comfortable with, it is the swim.
Goal time: 23 minutes
The bike course is flat sometimes windy and has quite a few turns. Being from St. Pete I am excited to ride through my home town. I plan to take all my nutrition in from fluids. Thanks to Seeley and her generous gift of a bag of Carbo-Pro, I have found a great way to get in calories without having to take in solids. Goal time: 1:13:00 (20mph) - I am setting my goal much higher than my coach predicts (1:23:00).The run is an out and back flat course with beautiful homes and bay views. I will spend the first mile getting my legs under me and finding my pace/HR zone (175-180). After mile 4 I will leave nothing out there and power home with all the "guts and speed I can muster" (thanks coach Ian)!
Goal time: sub 50:00 (also faster that Ian's prediction)
Ian Briggs of Tri3Sports: http://www.tri3sports.org/ has been my coach since the beginning of last year. He has helped me gain both physical and mental strength and has taught me to have the confidence it takes to push myself. Thanks Ian!
