At the time, I felt badly about my time, not knowing that the course was longer! Looking at the numbers now, I see that I was actually faster than my last race! If I were to do some fancy math and figure out my time for the same distance, I was 2 minutes faster overall on the swim! Woo hoo!

I was really happy with my pacing and sighting. I was able to breathe every third pull, which means I was nice and relaxed.

Not much really. I need new goggles that don't get huge beads of water on them, keeping me from seeing the bouy.

I'm using my T1 time from last race because I forgot to hit the lap button on the way out until I was about 2 minutes on the ride. But the times seem pretty comparable.

Goggles and swim cap off -- dry feet -- socks and running shoes on. Pulled on helmet, snapped on race belt, and grabbed bike and ran out.

My socks went on nice and easily, thanks to Dana's suggestion of rolling them up.

Practice T1. My shoes take the longest because I have to cinch them up tightly. But I'm getting better at doing it quickly.

I managed to trim off one minute over my time from last month. I wish I had been able to go faster, but the hills and my mountain bike were against me.

I am happy to report, again, that I was not passed by any mountain bikes! And I did manage to pass two road bikes (although they *were* going rather slowly).

I ate half a Clif Bar at the beginning of the ride, and had a Clif Shot at the turnaround point. I drank 1 1/2 bottles of water during the ride.

A new bike? Other than that, I need to train more on riding with toe clips and get stronger at going up hills. Also, I would have had some sort of sports drink in my bottles rather than plain water.

OK, it's easy to have a good T2 when all you have to do is rack your bike and switch your helmet with your race hat. :)

Nothing really.

Uggg! Hot. Hot. Hot. Dusty! I hate this run. It's so dry and hot and exposed. I swear, the aid station is father out than it is back!

I took off fast from my bike, but when I got to the end of transition, I felt awful! I managed to run about 100 yards and then had to stop and walk and catch my breath. I had a side stitch in my abdomen. I ran the first mile, but stopped to walk the up hills. When I saw the aid station, I made myself run in. I grabbed a cup of water and a cup of Cytomax. I let myself pause by the trash can to drink both, then made myself run the rest of the way in, with only one other walk break.

I didn't really find my stride until about mile 2. I made myself run one minute and then the next minute, and then the next minute, until I was about 1/4 mile from the finish, and managed to run the rest of the way in, with a good little sprint in the finish chute.

This run was ALL mental for me. I was really hating it and was very emotionally upset with myself and my performance.

I really need to train on my running.

At the end of the finish chute, I found my BF and cried on his shoulder. I've seen other women cry at the finish line, and now I know why. It was such an emotionally trying experience for me.

Once I managed to compose myself, I drank some water and some Cytomax and walked around a bit to cool down. I ate some orange slices and drank a lot more Cytomax.


Training, or the lack thereof. And negative emotional self-talk.


I like the TBF races. They're fun and a great way for beginners to get into the sport.