I'm really happy with how this swim went. I felt confident the whole time. I got out to a good start, with no incident. I sighted well, I was calm, but steady. I bilateral breathed a few times, but I couldn't slow myself down enough mentally to do this more regulalry. It helped to use it once in a while to see where people were and to mix it up a bit.

Although I was confident, I would have liked to have been more confident to the point where I was bilateral breathing more often than not. That being said, I still think it was a respectable swim for me.

I had a little mishap with getting my cap off, but that was a mental error on my part when I grabbed it from the top instead of from the front. Duh!

The only thing I would have done differently is to take my cap off properly. I'll explain why I noted 'getting up to speed' as below average when I discuss the bike portion.

Right after I mounted my bike and got crankin' up the small hill, I had to almost stop. There was a short section where we had to ride single file to get out onto the road and the two people in front of me were going slightly faster than the snails on the ground, that were next to us racing. I remained patient, but it took everything I had. I was probably held up for all of :30 seconds, but it seemed like FOREVER. Once past them, I took off. It felt like I was flying because I was in the fifth of six waves, so I was constently passing people. This was both motivating and challenging. Some people were riding in the middle of the road. I did a lot of passing really close to the center line.
I got a particular thrill when I would pass the men who were 35 and younger. I was hoping they were taking a good look at my 40-year-old calf as I cruised by. This is not meant to be arrogant, but I was drawing inspiration from it.
I didn't ever look to see how fast I was going. One, because I cover up my current speed with black tape, and two, because I never changed my bicycle computer off distance mode. I wanted to go by effort. I knew I was riding hard, but I think I could have gone even faster.

I am very happy with how my ride went. I think on the day, I did what my level of motivation was up for, but physically, I think I could have gone faster. However, I'm happy with how it went.

This went fairly well. I did take a moment to put my towel over the top of my bike because it had started to rain lightly.

Nothing.

I started out with a keen focus on my Achilles. I was ready to walk if it was irritated. I took shorter strides, but they were quick and purposeful. I gained confidence after every person I passed. I was concerned going up the first, long hill, but it held in there just fine. I continued on and progressed my pace cautiously as I went on. I felt like a real runner again, and it was a great feeling!

Nothing. I just hope I don't pay dearly for my decision to give it a go.

I grabbed a water, walked around a bit, notice massage tables, and headed over to them. When I learned they were free, I climbed on the table and had the gal work my calves and Achilles. Ahhh. Good call!


Perhaps lack of run fitness and confidence in the strength of my Achilles. However, it was still I run I can be happy with. Would a sub-19 have been better? Yeah, but that's just being greedy.


This was a good race for me. I seem to do well with these types of distances. I am excited that I was able to race again and feel like a runner.
As far as the race itself, I thought it was well run, it was a nice course, and it was a lot of fun.
I met a guy named Rob doing his first triathlon, and I think he came out of the water the same time I did. He seemed like a really strong guy physically and mentally. He's looking to do Steelhead at the end of the summer, and then possibly an Ironman. I believe he will do well and that he will be a solid Ironman athlete as well. He seemed to have a lot of discipline and drive.
Thanks to GU Roctane for the pick-me-up going into the race, and the GU Brew, Lemon Lime, that fueled the bike, and the GU Chomps I had to give me energy on the drive back home. :)