This went as well as it could have for last being in the water 3 weeks ago. It's always so hard to get enough air during this race! I learned from last year to submit a time faster than my actual time and this worked well, even ended up in the same lane as a gal from the previous year. After jumping out of the pool I tried to take lots of small running steps to warm up the legs.

Nothing

I would really like to practice starting with the shoes in the pedals. My feed got a bit stuck going into the shoes and it took me too long to get my watch on. I actually forgot to start I until I was on the course.

The course starts downhill, there are two sharp turns and then a railroad crossing. After this there are a few hill climbs that hurt. Right before the turn around, on an uphill there was a section of dirt road. There was a volunteer warning us of this. Then turn around, descend and a bit of climbing before the final climb to transition. The course was longer this year than last, so my time was a bit slower but I held a faster pace. I was pushing it the whole way - had to impress the new boyfriend and all. I hammered this bike. Whew. 169 HR on a bike?? That is almost my race HR for running. Well it fit my motto of the day "Suicide Pace is the best race pace. And today looks like a good day to die."

Hmm... Oh shifting gears. I was shifting down about 15-20 seconds too early at the start of the hills.

A bit slow as my feet got stuck putting on my shoes and I made a last minute decision to go sockless on the run.

Decide beforehand that I was going sockless

I think I took it a bit fast on the down hill, I averaged sub 8 downhill and then just over 9 uphill. I was trying to push it the whole time, even on the uphill. When I got to the end though I realized I still had some juice left so I should have pushed a bit harder. This is definitely a hard 5k course

Push harder on the uphill

Walked around with Josh and ate some food and drank water. I have gotten 4th in a few small races but never been on the podium so I was sooo excited to take 1st. My time was a bit slower than last year, but the course was longer and I was faster on every leg. I had one of my best races ever.


I don't know. Maybe sleep? I doubt I could have gone any harder.


This is a great race and I would recommend it for anybody. Maybe the most beautiful race I've ever done - although the bike in the Aspen tri is gorgeous too. And there are volunteers everywhere.