USAT Collegiate National Championships are fast approaching (April 20th) and only seven males and seven females from each University are allowed to participate. To determine the nationals team, a timetrial/indoor triathlon competition was held on Sunday. Everyone had to swim 800 yards, bike 12 miles on a Computrainer course and run a 5K on the University’s indoor track. Of course, no system is perfect – things like transitions, aero equipment, and open water swimming skills couldn’t be counted. However, it was as good as we could manage when it’s 17 degrees outside and there is snow on the ground in Wisconsin!
12 females and about 20 males showed up in hopes to earn a spot on the nationals team. Here we are waiting for the gym to open on Sunday morning:
First up, the swim. Our fearless leader and race coordinator, Summer, wrote up the day’s instructions. Despite my somewhat suspect swimming skills, I ended up in the fast swim heat.
My strategy for the swim was to wait as long as possible to get in the pool. 800 yards seemed like a pretty long swim, given I just started swimming again a month ago so I figured I’d just warm up on the go. Note to self – this is NOT a good strategy, time to step up the swimming! Some of the girls on the team swam in high school or college so they have this stuff figured out. Watching them swim is beautiful and it makes me really want to work on my swim technique in the coming months!
I completed the swim in 12:29, a 1:42/100 yd pace. Definitely room for improvement. It put me 6th, three minutes behind the leader.
Next up was the bike portion. We headed to SBR coaching, which has a sweet computrainer set up. I had never used one before, so I was excited to see it closely simulated a race situation without actually being outside. We had a course set up that was supposed to mimic the one we’ll be racing in April. I was neck and neck with one of my teammates for most of the race so I was really pushed to my limit.
Overall, I did 12 miles in 37:48 (19 mph avg), putting me third in the bike portion. I was 1:30 behind first place, who, I must mention, is a Cat 2 Road Cyclist! Here she is, dropping the hammer:
We had a large break between bike and run – there were three heats of men’s trials to complete after the two women’s. This gave us about a three hour break. I went home, ate some pasta and realized I felt a little sleepy. I figured, what the heck, when else would I be able to take a 45 minute nap in T2? I woke up feeling refreshed and did a little studying and stretching before heading to the track to meet up with the girls for our 5K!
Since I don’t have a high school track or country background this was my first time doing a group indoor track race. It was actually a pretty fun experience. I settled in a group of four girls who were going just fast enough that I was pushed, but not so fast I felt like I would blow up. Final time on the run was 22:04, a 7:06 mile pace. I didn’t really look at my watch during the run or I probably would have turned myself inside out to break 22 minutes at the finish but I was still happy that I set a new 5K PR! Despite feeling good about my run, I only finished 7th, just under three minutes behind the leader. Talk about a fast group of gals!
The boys heat followed ours with the winner finishing in 17:30.
Everyone waited anxiously as Summer tabulated the results. I was excited to learn that I qualified, earning the 5th spot on the team! My overall time 1:12:21, less than 3 minutes behind the first place female. Since med school started in August I’ve had trouble fitting in workouts as often as I’d like. Since I got back from Honduras, I’ve stepped things up but I was worried it was too little too late! Now I have a clear goal to train towards, something that always helps me focus.
Congratulations to everyone who participated!
Beth says
I just found your blog through Megan. I am an ID member, and I was on the rowing team at Wisconsin. I will have to follow your blog. Where can I get a Wisconsin jersey or tri top? Any suggestions
RunningBlonde says
I’m not sure about the UW cycling team but the UW triathlon team has a bunch of uniforms from this year and the last few that are for sale. I’ll send you an email!