Friday, August 22, 2008

Beijing Race Update

Beijing Race—August 18th, 2008

Fortunately for the women’s race (and the men’s race on the 19th), the weather was spectacular. We had nearly blue skies and a clear day, which enabled the crowd to view the beautiful triathlon venue. I have raced on the course twice before, but the race venue has never looked so crisp and green.
The race began at 10:00AM and all 55 athletes were announced and jogged down to the pontoon. I have to say I definitely had the pre-race nerves and all the fans, friends, and family here to support us heightened the excitement of the race. I had swim spot number three (near the right side of the pontoon). We had a very long swim (nearly 600 meters) to the first buoy and warm 81 degree, calm water. I had a bit of a struggle getting to the front of the swim pack as it was difficult to break away from the other swimmers. Once I got to the front, we were swimming several women across, which created a large draft behind us. It was also difficult to break away out front, with so many girls swimming across each other at the front. I exited the swim in front position, but we had a very large group headed out onto the bike course.
I had an average transition and quickly tried to make a move on the first hill. However, with a pack of 20 plus women, it was hard to get to the front on the hill because of the narrow road. I was stuck in the pack on the first lap, but was able to move up in position so I could push the second hill hard to try and split up the group. After couple attempts of breakaways from other athletes and my own attempt to break away on the hill, I realized that it was very tough to be able to break from the main group….there were so many strong riders in the group.
The race was going to come down to a run, as many of the players were all in the front pack. I moved up to the front of the group before exiting the bike and had a solid transition (although I was still about five seconds back from the first girl to exit). The run started off fast….I felt comfortable, but did not have the leg speed to keep up with the top girls. I kept my focus throughout the run and managed to feel strong all the way to the end. I ended up finishing 11th overall, with a solid race. My goal was for the pack to be smaller exiting the bike; however, it did come down to a run race. So many outcomes can happen in triathlon and you have to be prepared for all the different games that can come into play during the races.
Crossing the finish line, I was excited for the medal winners, especially for Emma Snowsill as she crushed the run and finished over a minute ahead of Vanessa. Laura had a great race, just missing the medals with her fourth place finish. Julie was a fighter out on the race course and ended up finishing in 19th position.
The atmosphere of the race was truly incredible, from the grand stand of spectators to the quarter mile of media lined up at the finish line. The women had the advantage of racing first so that we could enjoy cheering on the men the following day. The men’s race was extremely exciting and can down to a sprint finish between a German, Canadian and a New Zealander. The German pulled off the sprint and won the gold, with Simon Whitefield of Canada taking the silver (he was the gold medalist in 2000). Hunter was the top American with a strong 7th place finish. Jarrod ended up in 18th and Matt 34th.
I truly enjoyed my first Olympic experience, but I am already looking forward to working on qualifying for 2012 in London!

2 comments:

Debbie said...

Great job, Sarah! I enjoyed watching you online--you have so much to be proud of. I just wish triathlon received more coverage on TV!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations...that was AWESOME to watch!

All Matching!

All Matching!
Some of the new 2011 TYR cycling kits matched great with my Fuji and Zipp wheels!

Run Shots!

Run Shots!
New 2011 run gear. Poor TJ was quite sore after his 70.3 the weekend prior.

Downtown Sydney

Downtown Sydney
This is taken from the 20th floor of my hotel room. You can see just to the left where we swam in near the Opera House.

Check out the Scenery

Check out the Scenery
Out training in Idaho before heading to the airport! Beautiful lake in the background.

Ready For 2024!

Ready For 2024!
My niece has my suit and Speedo backpack...ready to train (but I think she mentioned she was going to Six Flags!)

Marin Triathlon

Marin Triathlon
Becky and I hanging out at the awards post race

Seoul WCS Finish Line

Seoul WCS Finish Line
I though I had finished the race, but I forgot to cross the timing matt completely until 10 sec later!!

Holding the Cup!

Holding the Cup!
Race to the Toyota Cup winners in Dallas, Texas. The cup was heavy...and brrr it was a cold weekend in Dallas!

Post-Race

Post-Race
Matt Reed was first for the men's race

Crossing the Tape

Crossing the Tape
Always a good feeling to break the tape!

On the Bike in Minnesota

On the Bike in Minnesota
Here I am on my Blue at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon this past Saturday

LTF Swim Start

LTF Swim Start
Here we are right at the horn (I am in the Blue). Thank Paul Phillips for all the great pics more at: http://www.competitiveimage.us/tri/Sarah-Haskins/index.html

Bike Shot

Bike Shot
Out on the bike course---quickly going through my bottles!!

Flying Dive

Flying Dive
Here I am headed back into the water after the first lap.

Crossing the Finish!

Crossing the Finish!
4th place

T2

T2
I am headed into the transition area--ready to run!

Washington DC WCS #3

Washington DC WCS #3
Here is a pic of my bike pack out on the course

Ready, Set....GO!

Ready, Set....GO!
My parents came to visit me in Colorado over Memorial Day weekend (Nate was out of town). They came along to a track workout and Sarah wanted to race me!!!

Cheyanne Mountain Zoo

Cheyanne Mountain Zoo
Feeding the giraffes---they have LONG tongues...

Enjoying a Popsicle!

Enjoying a Popsicle!
Maybe most is not getting in her mouth...but that's not always the point, right? Sarah and my parents are enjoying a lunch at the training center.

Run Workouts For Runners and Triathletes

Run Workouts For Runners and Triathletes
Here is a picture of Bobby McGee's new book.

Babies are Wiped Out

Babies are Wiped Out
Megan and I are holding the sleeping girls---

Sarah, Sarah and Anna

Sarah, Sarah and Anna
Sarah (2 yrs) is getting to know her new baby sister!

Sarah Sharing Her Tags!

Sarah Sharing Her Tags!
When Sarah goes to sleep she puts the tags from her blankets on her eyelashes (she always uses the yellow one). She also thinks everyone else wants the tag when they sleep too---including her newborn sister!

Mom, Baby and Sarah

Mom, Baby and Sarah
Megan and Anna are both doing well. This picutre was the day Megan and Anna got to come home from the hospital. Sarah giving Anna some snuggels!

Michael and Meghan's Wedding

Michael and Meghan's Wedding
Nate and I are getting ready to walk down the asile for my brother's wedding.

High Powered Fans

High Powered Fans
These fans are the horsepower of the tunnel...very powerful! They can simulate speeds of 80mph.

Holding the Flower Girl!

Holding the Flower Girl!
Feb. 14th wedding day....Nate and I are holding our niece, Sarah. She did a great job walking down the asile at 23 months!

Inside the Tunnel

Inside the Tunnel
On my Triad, in my new aero position!

Last Minute Travel

Last Minute Travel
Here we are with our U-Haul...we made it safe and sound!

Wren Hollow Elementary

Wren Hollow Elementary
A couple of weeks ago I went back to my Elementary school and spoke to the kids about Triathlon, goal setting and the Olympics! They gave a wonderful welcome with signs, posters, and cheers!

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning
My Mom, Sarah and I are playing with Sarah while she is enjoying her new toy. This elephant is very strong...my Dad sat on it and it held (he is 230lbs!!)

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Here is Jess snuggling with her babies (Gwen and Rowan). Gwen looks a lot like Jess and Rown look like his daddy, Lucas.

Snow!

Snow!
This view is off my parents deck (the last picture showed the many colors of fall...but winter can be beautiful too!)

Post Parade

Post Parade
Busch Stadium in the background....looks different without the crowds!

On the Run in Beijing

On the Run in Beijing
Racing in the Olympics---if you wonder what the black strap is in my suit, it is my timing chip. It was falling off of my ankle on the bike and I did not want it to get stuck in my chain ring, so I ripped it off and shoved it in my suit!

Another View of Winter

Another View of Winter
Same view as earlier blog post, but with snow!

Holiday Night Out to Dinner

Holiday Night Out to Dinner
Nate and I with Tommy, Sarah (brother-in-law and his finace) and a friend of Sarah's. Tommy and Sarah are getting married October 17th.

Wedding in Minnesota

Wedding in Minnesota
Nate, my cousin Matt Beasley, his wife Lindsay and I. The wedding was beautiful!

Thanksgiving Parade

Thanksgiving Parade
Here I am ready to ride in the yellow Mazda (sponsor for the parade). It was great to see all the families and kids out to watch...

Fall Folliage

Fall Folliage
View off my parents deck

Fall Folliage

Fall Folliage
View from my parents deck

Lake Shot

Lake Shot
View of the pond on my parents property