I was absolutely determined to be in under 7:00 this time, so I started like I was shot out of a cannon. This was a good plan, because I broke away from the pack right away, which made the beginning of my swim far easier. I sighted along the first two left buoys fine, but once I passed the second, I couldn't get my bearings. I seemed to be swimming in the middle of nowhere. I'm not sure if I got off course, but I eventually found the pack again and stayed on the ankles of one chick until almost the end, because I couldn't seem to stop crashing into her, even though I was trying to get away. I left the water with a pack of people and hustled over the timing mat, realizing that I needed every second (and little did I know how close I was to that goal time!).

I would stop and clear my goggles earlier. I didn't want to lose time, but it didn't even take a second and once I'd done it, I had a better idea of where I was, although my bearings were still off. I'm not sure what was going on with those buoys. I would also swim until my hand touched bottom at the end, like I intended to. Everyone else was on their feet, so I got up, but the water was still thigh-deep, which is a difficult trudge. But what can I say? This is my best effort so far . . . although it would hardly be satisfactory if I were in real swimming shape.

I got a little tripped up here. As soon as I crossed the mat into the transition area, I walked, not wanting to agitate my knees too soon. When I got to my stuff, I should have had a towel out for a quick dry-off. Instead, I tried to put my shirt on over my dripping suit, and it got all tangled and took way too much time to undo, since I didn't want to rip the race number. I tossed my helmet on and decided to clip it while running with the bike, but quickly learned that it can't be done effectively. It also can't be done once you've mounted the bike. I actually had to stop biking to do it. Bad decision.

Clip the helmet before you start! And maybe buy a race belt so I don't have that shirt issue. Then it wouldn't matter that I was dripping.

I suck at the bike. If you look at the final race results, my bike speed is at least three or four mph below everyone I placed around. Which says a lot for my other legs. The new bike I plan to buy very soon will help this. Pedals that I can pull up on will certainly work wonders. As will aerobars. But as for this race, I think I did pretty well. I definitely wanted to do it on the old bike to track my improvement from a year ago. While I still get discouraged watching everyone pass me, I was mentally more in control than at King's Grant, where I really got depressed on the bike. This time I kept it together and rode my own race.

Make sure my bike computer was working properly before the bike started. I spent time reaching down and fiddling with it, but it never really registered. I would have liked to know my speed and how far I'd gone. But it wasn't the end of the world.

I racked the bike! First time I've been able to accomplish that in a race! Otherwise, I went a little slow, especially in putting on my headband (which could have been done while I was running!).

Not eat those damned Sport Beans before the run. They're just what I need before the bike, but I don't think I really need food before the run. There's not enough time for it to kick in. Some Gatorade should do it. And besides choking on the Sport Beans as I start to run, I feel them in my throat for the rest of the race. That step will certainly be dropped from the next race I do.

It is vindicating to get off that damned bike and immediately start passing the people who had blown by me so recently. I was only passed by one person. I probably passed around twenty. That certainly did a lot for my psychological state. My legs took awhile to get under me, but I kept up a decent pace until the first water station, where I took a drink walk as usual. I didn't stop again until the turnaround, only to be spurred into action by that boy scout. Shortly after this I realized that between my knee support and the chip on my ankle, I was cutting off the circulation in my right leg, which was feeling rather dead. I stopped to loosen them, which was really necessary, because the whole rest of my race improved after I dealt with that. I stopped at least twice after the second water station, which I knew I shouldn't do, since I was going for the goal time of sub-28:00, but I was very drained and my knee kept threatening to flare up (which it never actually did). My biggest regret is walking just a minute and a half from the finish. I started running again when I noticed how close the cheering was, but that wasn't necessary because I knew I was almost there. I motored through the finish, swearing under my breath, but was happy with the effort because I did, after all, make that goal time.

Really get on myself about not walking. Especially during the last mile. Stop being such a whiner and finish the race. Then, and only then, will there be resting.

Walked around dazed for a few minutes, then got food. Mostly the long walk to the car, then sitting the whole way home. Then nice long recovery bubble bath (a highlight of every race!).


I should say it was my knees, but they really didn't bother me during the race, which is amazing considering the state I was in yesterday, and even early this morning! I'm shocked they don't hurt now . . . A real road bike would certainly help me, but I'm ditching the hybrid very soon, so that will be remedied . . . Other than that, I hit my goals on all three segments, so I have no complaints. I plan on working on that bike over the offseason and coming back next year for a major improvement in overall place.


The race started late this year, for reasons they did not disclose. Other than that, I think everything went well. Nice to see what the race is really like after last year's weather shenanigans. I'm planning on making this the finale of every triathlon season.