This swim was nuts!!! The waves were incredible with strong winds from the East blowing us towards shore. The first section out to the turn buoy was really just about surviving going head on into waves. Had to switch my breathing from using every other side to just R side to keep my face out of the waves. However, this was by far my best open water swim to date. I felt very calm and just kept chugging through a swim where the race had to pull 150+ people from the water and several people were just abandoning the swim either before the start gun or in their first 100m. Extremely proud of myself for sticking with it, and clearly I did much better vs the pack at the swim than anything else.

Honestly, nothing. Best swim I've ever had, and think I learned a lot about staying calm and pushing through for future races. The time doesn't reflect what a success I think this was.

Took my time in T1 because I felt pretty disoriented from the swim. Had wetsuit strippers but was slowed down because they yanked my chip off with my suit. I was right next to the bike out/in which was really nice to not have to go far with my bike, and I managed to get clipped in easily and straight up the hill right out of transition without tipping over!

Next time I will actually practice doing a transition. Maybe it was the swim, but it was hard to think through what order to do things.

I was really excited early on on the bike and clearly had a much better front half of the race. I don't think I was drinking enough but it was cooler than expected so I didn't feel as thirsty. About half way through my L hamstring started to feel extremely tight, so that was when I really started to slow down as I tried to stretch it out on the bike.

I realize it wasn't an average performance for the field, but for me it was and I was happy with it!

For next season I want to work much more on cycling, because I felt like I was just cracking the surface. In particular need to work on cornering, climbing, and overall speed.

Also, I really want to get real aerobars :)

Again, I took my time. I was trying to get some nutrition in and put my shoes and socks on.

Can't really think of any one thing that would have been my time suck here, but I think I'll practice for next time.

I was extremely proud of my run. At the end of the bike I was realizing that it could be right on the nose if I hit/miss breaking 7hrs and decided that I just wanted to have fun and not worry about it! So I ditched my Garmin in T2 and just went out to enjoy myself. I kept telling myself to dig for forward progress but really felt good the whole time. I think the critical decision I made was to walk through every aid station, and at least get ice to shove down my bra and water to sip or swish with. I think mentally I just enjoyed it a lot, I made sure to chat with anybody around me who would chat for a second and enjoyed the view. May have been my happiest part of the race. Plus, I saw a rainbow over the finish line as I hit the mile 10 mark! It obviously wasn't the easiest run I'd ever had, but I did feel like I had a little bit to kick in at the end, I did a great job working through the miles and not getting ahead of myself, I was passing a lot of people, and think it was one of the stronger race runs I've ever had mentally! Plus - believe it or not, It's a half marathon PR for me!!!! Don't know who else can say that about their first half Ironman! :)

Honestly, besides training for speed in the off season, I was thrilled with the run. I stuck with it, I kept a positive attitude, and had a great race plan getting through the first five miles, the second five miles, then the final 5K. That plan really helped me stay in it mentally.

The swim obviously slowed me down and led to a slower T1, then my hamstring tightness on the bike slowed that down a little bit. But overall, I really gave it my all to push just the right amount without burning out.


I loved the race!!!! I thought it was wonderfully organized, and the volunteers and the police were great and right on the job. I thought the aid stations were well done and just the right amount apart on the run.