Race Win!!

Age Group Place
1
Overall
Place
47

Name
Cari Ossenfort
Bib No
732
Age
31
------- Swim 750m -------
Rnk
1
Time
12:50.9
Pace
1:43
T1
Time
2:44.7
------- Bike 12mi -------
Rnk
1
Time
34:07.9
Rate
21.1
T2
Time
1:13.8
------- Run 5K -------
Rnk
5
Time
25:48.5
Pace
8:16
Total
Time
1:16:45.9

Not bad, I will take it. I decided at the last minute to try and do a couple of sprint races at the end of the season this year. The hope was to do pretty well and help my season rankings. Stonebridge ranch Triathlon was a race I had done well at in 2004 and was close by in McKinney so I figured I would give it a try. I was a bit nervous seeing as how I have missed many workouts due to work schedule over the past 4 weeks. I have only been riding on Wednesday nights most weeks and have only been given permission to run a week and a half ago (hip stress reaction, 6 weeks no running). My 4 runs prior to the race confirmed for me that I could go the distance but I was still concerned that my running shape would not allow me to go very fast. I had a great race. JP and Cale and I trekked up to McKinney around 6:15am. My wave was set to start at 8am. We got there and got a great parking spot across the street from the transition area. I got set up, not nervous at all, no hard expectations. We watched the Olympic race start. We then saw a couple that we had met at church a while back, Sara was doing her first triathlon so it was fun to talk to and try and encourage her before the start. Off we went, into the water. It seemed there were lots of fast girls in my heat (that was because all females started together for the sprint race). I had a good steady swim. Working hard but not in panic mode. Had some nice open water coming back in. 750m swim, done. Up the hill and down to the transition area. Out into the wind (up to 20mph). First ten minutes were uphill and into a headwind. Just working hard knowing that I would get a tailwind on the way back in. Turn to cross wind, then turn to tail wind (got to 30mph, wooohooo!). Then the second loop. Felt good and strong. 12 mile bike done with a 21.1mph average. Coming out of transition to the run I see Pamela and John, friends from church, so great to see them and baby Anna out there cheering me on (Thanks!). Now to run for dear life to hold on to my placing. Looked for females coming back in on the out and back course. One, two, three, four, five, six, oh dear I am in the top ten females if i can hang on. I ran as strong as I could and actually held my position. Felt great crossing the finish line! Gave it all but was not sore or anything afterward... guess that is the advantage of being trained with a large long distance base and getting in some quality workouts when I can not get in quantity workouts! (quote from coach Chuck).