While swimming out to the middle of the river for the start, everyone started yelling. I couldn't make it out at first, but they were yelling help. Someone from the previous wave was apparently having a seizure, so spent a lot of time yelling and trying to get the kayaks and EMS over to the person to get them out of the water. We finally got their attention and he got out of the water.

Once the swimmer got out, we had about a minute before our start. Not sure how far off the start of the clock we were (there were two waves in front), so I was guessing 6 minutes since that was where we were supposed to be.

Started pulling with about 3 seconds left because I was kind of in the middle of the pack. I found someone to draft off of right away, so I felt like I made it to the first buoy in record time. He kind of dropped off after that, so I tried to find someone else. I ended up drafting off of a girl on her feet most of the way to the turn around buoy. It was helpful. I felt like it was a lot easier. Lost my person at the turn around, but I had no problems rounding the buoy.

After the turn I was hoping to feel more of an effect from the current, but I really didn't. It felt like it took quite awhile to get to the exit. I was swimming into the sun with foggy goggles, so it was really hard to sight, but I did the best I could.

Got to the exit and it was very crowded. Had to exit on stairs from the water and then up a set of metal stairs to the mat. There were two slower people in front of me, so I was kind of annoyed that I couldn't get around them.

Become a stronger swimmer.

Longish run back to transition (0.05 miles to exit). I found my flip flops and got them on right away. I ran as much as I could, but I was trying to get my heart rate down a bit and get breathing under control.

Found my rack really easily (better than normal). Waved to a friend taking pictures. Got socks on, but that was kind of a problem. Feet were still wet and they were a little bunched up.

Not wear socks.

I'd really been dreading this ride. I remember having a very hard time last year. I really wanted to do better this year.

I started off pretty much the same way, though. I had a hard time getting clipped in. Usually it's not a problem, but I kept slipping out. Finally rode on top of the pedals for awhile to get up to speed and then unclipped.

Coming out of the park might have been the hardest part for me. It's a long gradual uphill climb. My quads were burning really bad and I was just trying to keep the pedals turning but that was really hard at this point.

Once I came out of the park, I had an easier time. Rolling hills at this point and I was having a little bit of a hard time climbing. After about mile 2 I feel like I settled into a rhythm and was doing better.

Turned left after about 4.5 miles. More rolling hills, but I was able to keep up speed on most of them. There were a few were I slowed down a lot, but not too bad. Got passed a few times and also passed people.

The bike hill was at mile 8.5. I shifted into the lowest gear pretty quickly and just tried to keep the pedals moving. To be honest, I did pretty well. I made it up and didn't walk and I feel like I did better than the previous year.

I saw Kristen about a half mile behind me after going through the turn around. Then I got to go down the bike hill. I saw Judi but didn't have enough time to say anything because I was going about 36 mph. I had a lot more confidence going back along the course and I was really able to keep my speed a lot higher than going out. I was watching my time and distance and was pretty sure I would make it back faster. Took a little bit of work towards the end but I was able to do it.

Somewhere on the ride, I got the idea that I could keep my shoes on the bike and just take my feet out since I have tri shoes now. Yeah yeah...nothing new on race day, but I did it anyway and it worked out well. No problems loosening the straps. I did have a little problem getting my right foot out at the dismount, but I think that will be easily fixed next time by making sure to loosen the strap even more.

Not much I could have done. I just need to be a stronger biker to get faster at this point. So I guess more TITS and more hill climbing work.

First of all, I was excited because I actually got my feet out of the shoes and left the shoes on the bike. It was my first time doing that and it went pretty well. Way easier than running in shoes!!

Got the running shoes on easily due to the Yankz. Loved them.

Jump off the bike?

Going into the run, I knew it was going to be the hardest part. I did catch the clock just before going into the woods and saw that it was 1:43:??. That gave me about 50 minutes to get to last year's time. That was a huge boost of confidence because I was pretty sure I could do it faster. I also didn't remember about the extra minutes from my wave starting later until about a mile into the run, but it didn't even matter anymore.

Kristen passed me pretty quickly. She looked way better than I did.

I started having the pain in my abdomen pretty quick. I kept "running" (more like shuffling) until the pain was so bad that I just couldn't do it anymore. Then I walked for a few minutes.

I was able to keep running continuously until almost to the 2 mile mark. At the first water stop (0.9 miles) they called out "gatorade or water". I answered Gatorade. Surprise!! It was actually Heed. EWWWWWWW. I had that taste in my mouth for the rest of the run.

At the second water stop, there was a little boy (~5 years old) who really wanted to give someone Heed. I kind of felt bad not taking it. I did take water and drank a little and dumped the rest on my head.

Walked a little after the second mile and walked up or down a few of the crazy hills. I got passed by Judi after going back into the woods. I think she told me to pick it up. No way I really could at that point.

Finally made it back to the main path where we ran from the swim into transition. Andy and a few friends were waiting before I came into the finish line. The clock said 2:23:??, so that was 10 minutes off time last year plus however many minutes we waited before the wave started.

Figure out what is causing the stupid abdominal pain so I can be a stronger runner.

Saw Kristen right after I crossed the finish line. Stood in the misting tent for awhile. Found Andy and chatted with Judi and Kristen. Ate some barbeque. It was actually pretty good. They did not have enough drinks. Almost everything was gone by the time I finished. Down to water and Heed. At least the tri club had extra drinks so I got some Gatorade from them.

Took a picture with Kristen and Judi. We didn't get to take one before the race. Some day we'll do that so we look less tired in the pictures.


At this point, I think I did pretty well for my current ability. Run could have been better, but I'm working on getting that sorted out. I think I'll get faster as I get stronger with the sports.


Can we take up a fund to get Richmond Multi Sports a megaphone that actually works? And some more porta-potties? There were only 3 for the whole race.

Ran out of drinks pretty early. I think lots of spectators thought it was a free for all.