I have not been doing a lot of swimming and when I have swum, I've kept the yardage low b/c I still get ouchy from my shoulder surgery, so I am not in the best swim shape. Which is too bad since even when I'm in swim shape I am a slow swimmer!!

Water was pretty smooth, although it did start to get a little choppy toward the end. Still, it was one of the better ocean swim conditions. Water was clear, which was nice; but there were jelly fish. Thankfully, just the little clear blob ones that don't sting.

I was pretty successful keeping myself from swimming out to sea for most of the swim, but I did have one section where I got a bit off course. I think I corrected pretty quickly. I caught it mainly b/c some woman swam across me as she was angling over.

This is my worse discipline and I struggle mentally with it during every race. I just want it to be over. I made a concerted effort this race to keep the swim demons away. Did an ok job with it, but really need to work on it. Of course, if I were a faster swimmer, I assume I wouldn't find so many demons while swimming.

Swim more. Not get caught in the scrum at the first turn buoy.

As usual, I made a sandwich before heading out on the bike! I have no idea why I am so slow in transition, but I am. It was a long run up the beach and to my bike, but really that is no excuse. I did have to pick up my helmet and sunglasses from the ground where someone had knocked them.

Move faster?!

Coming out of transition there is a little uphill, then it is flat and fast until you come to the u-turn which is really, really tight; so you have to come to almost a stop. It was even worse this year as it poured rain before the start, so the road was slick. After the u-turn you pick up speed until you get to the u-turn and do it all again.

I think this is an ok pace considering my lack of time on the bike. Had I been spending more time riding, this would be disappointing, but I'm ok with this.

Train more.

Just made a little snack during this transition!

I had no idea how I was going to feel on this run. For almost 2 weeks before the race I was doing a no carbs, no sugar, no grains, no fun diet and every time (except once) that I ran I felt like crapola and my speed was really slow. I started slowly adding carbs in the couple days before the race, so I was hopeful that I would feel good. Just to make sure I had enough carbs, the night before I had 2 beers. Really, just getting the carbs on board was the only reason for the beer :) It worked as I felt pretty darn good on this run!

I also was worried that my lack of bike fitness would affect the run- it did a bit, but not too badly. I felt strong the entire run and negative split it. I was able to pass a lot of people on this section.
So, yay!!

nothing, all things considered, this was good.

walked back to transition, got my bike, found Peter who had a beer for me, then headed out for breakfast!


The usual -genetics and lack of training.


This is a very competitive race. It's just a sprint, but it sells out almost immediately and has lots of the top AGers attending, so it is always a good ego check for me!! I place lower in this race than I do in any other. One big reason I think is that the swim is longer than the usual sprint races around here and the other disciplines are not, so I don't have a chance to make up any real ground. I did place higher this year than the other years - but that may be a result of my new AG!! It's a really nicely run event and Peter and I enjoy doing it every year.

Looking at my AG placing per discipline I think there is a clue as to where I am weakest.
Swim: 12/15
Bike:7/15
Run: 2/15. I missed 1st by 4 seconds!!