October 10, 2009 - Hattiesburg, MS

Race Report from Susan Davidson -

Arrived at EagleMan around 7-ish. It was drizzling rain. This race was a training run for me because I'm doing a Sprint in Sugar Land next Sunday. I knew I would do my best but I didn't have the stress. If I did poorly, I would chalk it up to "saving" myself. If I did good, I'd take all the glory. Just kidding! LOL As usual, there were lots of Pacers volunteering. Thanks!

Got my body marked and set up my transition area. I saw Melissa down by the water. We chatted and pumped each other up for the swim. Time trial start - every 3 seconds. Kily and Jody were working the start. I was #272 so I had a nice wait, but it's always fun to chat with the athletes you're in line with. . . . total strangers, yet comrades in the battle of triathlon. My strategy for the swim was to NOT go out fast, but to go at a pace I could maintain. As I rounded the 1/2 way bouys, I saw SpiderMan! Two of the bouys were those bouncing balls with the handles! I felt good after the swim. I wasn't overly tired and out of breath like I usually am.

I jogged to transition, put on my wet socks and bike shoes, helmet, glasses and decided to put my gloves on while riding. Sheryl, the smart one, had her stuff in plastic bags. I may try that. Almost met the pavement face to face right out of transition by trying to glove-up. That is the closest I've ever come to falling on my bike (other than the times I've gone down with my mt. bike after I didn't unclip from my pedals before I stopped – so many things to remember!), but I had a marvelous save. The bike portion was challenging, but it wasn't as bad as I remembered it being last year. I used my packet of Triberry Gu about 5 miles into the ride. There were two hills on the way back that were difficult for me. As usual, I passed some people and got passed by others. I slowed down a good bit on the turns so my bike wouldn't slip out from under me. Lots of people doing the run when I got back, but I knew there were still people behind me.

I put on my running shoes and opted to stay in my wet socks instead of changing to the less wet ones (extra pair I brought in case my socks got wet). I took a good drink of water before heading out since I didn't drink a whole lot on the bike portion. I jogged until I hit the first hill, then I walked. Jogged and walked the whole way and managed to maintain my goal of 13 min miles which means I jogged most of the time. A nice volunteer gave me his last Gu packet at the mile 1 water stop. That gave me the extra umph I needed to finish strong.

Here are my times from 2008 & 2009:

Official 2008 Unofficial 2009

Swim 00:21:51 00:17:28

T1 00:03:17 00:02:32

Bike 01:16:24 01:07:22

T2 00:01:39 00:01:43

Run 00:42:31 00:37:36

Total 02:25:40 02:05:45

I think the extra four seconds on T2 is stopping to take several big swallows of water. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Last year I was VERY disappointed in my time. This year I am proud of my time. Wish me luck next Sunday in Sugar Land . I wanna whoop my daughter's booty! That's a stretch, but it sure would feel good. : )

Congratulations to Sheryl for being the first female to finish. Sheryl, you are awesome! Have to also give a big round of applause to Ben and all the others who made this race a first class experience. Very well done!