2011 Ludlow Triathlon

The 2011 Ludlow Triathlon was probably my best race from this past season. It was a FUN triathlon that I planned on competing in just as a training day. This means I did not taper for it and was just going to race it the best I could even though I knew I would be a little tired from all the hard training I’d done the days prior to it, especially including going for a hard 40+ mile bike ride with some strong male riders the day right before it. The swim is my strongest event of the three. It was a 0.5 mile open water swim. I was very happy I came out of the water in my AWESOME XTERRA sleeveless wetsuit as the 1st female in a time of 9:51 a little less than 1 minute in the front of 2nd place female. I went out onto the bike course which consisted of rolling hills and several turns, knowing my legs were a little tired from the training the day before but I was determined to push it as hard as I could to keep my lead. I finished the 14 mile bike course in a time of 35:15 averaging 23.8 mph. I was very happy with this time especially because it was not on a flat course. As I came into the transition, the announcer, Bill Fiske, who is also one of the owners of the race management company F.I.R.M., yells over the speakers “1st female Robin Sandos, WOW she smoked this course, that was a FAST bike time!” At the time, I did not know how fast I had gone but I was happy for the encouragement and went out onto the 4 mile run course. I felt pretty good throughout the entire 4 mile run. My breathing was right where I wanted it to be, not too hard, but pushing it comfortably. I saw each of the mile markers and got more and more happy the closer I got to the finish knowing I was keeping my lead. As I approached the third mile marker I told myself now, I’ve got to give it everything I have left, only 1 mile to go and I don’t want to lose my lead. I picked up the pace a bit and of course once you see that WONDERFUL finish line and you hear the music from the DJ & the crowd cheering it’s one of the BEST feelings and sights. As I crossed the finish line Bill Fiske announces “Robin Sandos 1st place over all female.” “CONGRATS Robin!” “Robin has been racing with us since the age of 9 years old.” “Great job Robin!” I finished the 4 mile run course in a time of 26:38 averaging 6:39 minute miles. It was a WONDERFUL race and I was very happy with my times. I want to say a “HUGE THANK YOU” to the entire Fiske family and the F.I.R.M. racing company for putting on amazing races throughout the many years I have been racing. It’s always a wonderful pleasure seeing familiar faces and knowing how much FUN each of their races are going to be. I’m looking forward to racing at many more in the future.