I got kicked in the head a couple times and had a hard time getting out of the crowds. It seemed more than any other race I've done this year I felt really crowded and that was frustrating.

Practice being more aggressive and swim faster :)

Overall I felt good about this. I did sit down but I don't think it cost me too much time.

Apply chamois butter - this became evident during the bike!

I didn't notice till I was out on the course but my right aero bar and pad were loose so I spent the whoel race dealing with that plus my grip tape on that aerobar was coming undone. It caused a LOT of pain in my arm shoulder and I think may have caused so issues with me compensating while changed my positioning. Definitely more pain and chafing than I've had on a 56 mile ride before. Also, I haven't done so much flat riding, not having the downhills to recover was something I wasn't used to. I stopped once to stretch and adjust my shoe and once for a teammate. A good pace for me but a frustrating ride. I did stay in my HR zones and held to the speed I planned so I was happy with that. Awesome cadence too - yay!

In retrospect I should have stopped to fix my handlebar issue. I had the tools but really debated if it would be worth it - still not sure. I wish I hadn't had to stop - I don't regret stopping for the teammate though. Definitely wish I had applied chamois butter - lesson learned!

Long run out of T2 which accounts for the longer time. Also had to do a pit stop.

Nothing. I was well hydrated so I was happy I had to pee - if only I could learn to do it on the bike.

I saw this line of people as I was coming in finishing the bike and wondered what that was - when I got close enough I soon realized it was runners - but a lot of walkers. Oh my god I thought, it really does look like a death march. I tried running and went out too fast and was determined not to walk. But the heat and humidity really got to me. That and I found it very demotivating to see so many people walking. I ended up running from aid station to aid station - at each alk break I poured ice down my bra, drank fluids and tried to persevere. I took one gel but otherwise just liquids - not sure if that was the best idea but it was all I could toelrate. Definitely needed to drink more at each aid station. Seeing so many of my teammates definitely helped though and I acutally passed 4 on the run - that made me happy. Despite what I felt was a bad run I was really happy to make up so much time on people. Also we had one teammate who was on her bike cheering like craxy - that was awesome!

Not sure other than taking in more fluids - though I took in 4 bottles on the bike. Or maybe more food. Or maybe more mental toughness. Or a combo.

I was exhausted. I downed a coke and water then a beer. No protein. Also should have taken an ice bath. Post-race food was limited till much later. Recovery needed some definite improvement!


Heat and humidity. I put in the training just that the conditions were tough. It was my first half so overall nothing to complain about.


It was interesting - I spent so many months training for this I thought I would be more emotional. Instead I felt drained and now have kind of a letdown feeling. Normal I know. Just working on trying to be happy with what I accomplished instead of focusing on not making my time goal. There's always the next race!