Didn't do ranks for each event as that data isn't shown in results and too lazy to do manually. Not my strongest swim as I have been unable to swim properly for two weeks owing to bruised ribs from wiping out while swimming in Hawaii. This was the first day I was actually able to swim (although a bit slower than normal) without much discomfort, but it hurt to pull hard so took it easy, not knowing how it would affect bike/run. I also did pretty much everything to avoid contact as that was the one thing I knew might make me DNF, so I no doubt did some extra distance.

I did what I could under the circumstances. In retrospect, not eat a banana about 30 minutes before the start. My stomach has been unsettled for a couple of days (probably due to time of month) and felt weird before the start. Thought maybe a bit of food would help but it didn't--almost came back up mid-swim!

Again, questions don't capture the problem. It was painful to bend over and putting on socks and shoes was hard. I also decided to wear a light shirt over my tri top for the bike as it felt cold. It was hard to put the shirt on when wet with somewhat limited range of motion.

Don't wear a shirt unless dangerously cold. A clear Oregon morning in the high 50's is not dangerous. Just bike hard to get warm.

I felt I was riding hard but didn't have much to show for it. Very unhappy with my split--this was with my better bike (Trek 1.5) and there were no mechanical issues. I tried to stay in aero as much as possible although it was quite painful after a while. But did my best esp. as it was quite windy on the return trip.

Maybe in this case I shouldn't have tried to stay in aero so much? Bending over or curling up makes the bruised area painful and I wonder in retrospect if it was messing up my breathing. I felt like I was sucking air during the hard parts of the bike--couldn't get in deep breaths easily so was breathing quickly with smaller ones and swallowing air.

Too slow. I somehow headed to the right of the rack rather than the left and was on the wrong side, and had to shove the bike and myself under. This was painful, which slowed down my speed at changing shoes. Also probably contributed to cramping at beginning of run.

Not be an idiot. Learn difference between left and right. Not wear shirt on bike so I don't feel the need to take it off for the run.

The run did not start well as I cramped really badly off the bike (adductors?) in both legs. Felt like I'd pinched a nerve between my crotch and my legs. Maybe just not used to riding this bike in my tri shorts. I tried to keep moving with a quick cadence and the cramp resolved between 1 and 2 miles. Then tried to pick up the pace and pass as many people as I could.

Sigh. Stop getting freak injuries? I missed two weeks of really any run training owing to tripping over tree debris (bone bruise on knee and lots of scrapes) in June, and then another nearly two weeks in July owing to the bruised ribs (thrown onto beach by wave while trying to get out of water when surf picked up on OWS in Hawaii.) I was also without my bike for two weeks on vacation so bike training then suffered. I'd hoped my hard work from earlier in the season would carry me through but it didn't as much as I'd hoped.

Not much of one. Just walked around. Too cramped to run; didn't want to get back in water and swim as I'd have to put wetsuit back on. Long walk later in the afternoon.


Definitely, being injured. It wasn't really a deal-breaker but it definitely slowed my swim and transitions by probably a minute each, and maybe contributed to my discomfort and pretty slow split on the bike.

Not having bike for two weeks, maybe not getting used to riding this bike in trishorts. (But it's the same saddle I use on the VN bike, so not sure.)

Run fitness not ideal owing to injuries. I did put in some quality workouts this summer but not able to be consistent, and very few bricks.

Really poor sleep most of the summer. Hard to explain but due to living with family of insomniacs, vacation, my bed, allergies, and later sore ribs. I just can't find a position to get comfortable for more than a few hours, and/or get awakened by others getting up, so my sleep is constantly interrupted. (To be fair, I'm probably keeping them awake, too!)

Maybe related to this, low energy levels. I've done really good quality workouts, esp. masters swim and longer runs/rides, this summer, but they completely wipe me out in a way that normally they wouldn't, even in the heat. Low iron levels? Should know as we have to do blood work for work physical soon. More likely, lack of quality sleep.


Very well-organized, beautiful course, spectator-friendly. No complaints!