Went with my training pace to ensure I finished and I did! A few swimmers stopped at the first turn buoy and in between there and second buoy. I actually passed some swimmers! Yay! Some had to change their stroke to easier ones. I got bumped a few times in the first third which threw me off a bit but after that, my groove sunk in and I started bumping people (by accident ofc) and making them stop haha! Some swimmers still bumped me but at that point my groove could not be disrupted. A couple swimmers from the prior wave were barely finishing when I got to the end. =)

Learn to be more patient with the catch. Increase stroke rate to increase velocity.

Running up the sandy beach was a little wobbly for me since it was about 50-75 yards to transition. Got top half of wetsuit down to waist successfully. 2 new race friends I met before the race at transition did not put on their shirts underneath their wetsuits. They both beat me in the swim but I beat them out of T1 despite having trouble removing my wetsuit because of the timing chip strapon. =) Took a Clif Shot Blok chased with Gatorade Perform.

Find an easier way to remove wetsuit with timing chip in place. Possibly remove it, remove wetsuit, put it back on to save time.

Passed 15-20 bikers. There was a pretty competitive female I felt I couldn't catch but saved a push to pass her in the last 2 miles and I did! No one passed me on the bike! This was my strongest part of the race. I nearly dropped my water bottle once 4 miles in. It was wet from condensation. Whew!

Make sure Camelbak Ice Podium's contents is cold (not frozen) to eliminate condensation.

Pretty smooth T2. Had to wait for a cyclist in front of me to dismount before I was allowed to. He wasn't very good at it so I had to slow down ughh! Racked bike, put shoes on, moved watch from bike to left wrist, ate another Clif Shot Blok and chased with some Gatorade Perform.

Dismount before cyclists ahead who are having trouble to run by them. Remember to bring my running belt with my number. Doh! >.<

Ran my race and kept a good pace. Passed a few and got passed a few. I got off track for about 15 seconds in the last 1/4 mile because I saw the blue arch where the swim waves started and got confused and ran below it. Corrected myself after noticing my mistake and finished! Great negative split times!

Make sure you know where you're going and don't forget race number belt!

Hydrated with remaining on hand Gatorade Perform, ate oranges, yogurt, water. Stretched and walked around. Chatted with other finishers. Looks like some people did not run the beach portion. O_O Back in transition I shared my training knowledge from BT forum with some new triathletes. =)


Hill + interval training to increase running strength/speed. Improve swim technique/stroke rate.


Loved this race as my first triathlon. Running portion needs to be better marked/flagged so runners don't get confused. ^_^