Started up toward the front and inside. Drafted a bit at first then fell into my own rhythm and kept on the buoy line, sighting well and felt pretty good. I maintained the same distance behind swimmer in front of me. At one point I thought wow this is a long way, then after rounding the end buoys I picked up my stroke, per coach's instructions, and before I knew it I was at the finish. Remembered to wait until I felt the ground, squishy ground, before standing up. Took just a moment to stablize myself and then up and out, running out of the water. This is my best tri swim yet. No breast-stroking, no freaking out. Even drank a bit of water and just kept on stroking. Yes to NOT panic-ing.

Maybe swim a bit harder in the first part, but I was kind of pacing myself.

Transition went well. I remembered to not be frenetic, but purposeful in removing wetsuit, getting socks on, etc. It was quite a long run to the transition area. They put the older women waaayy in the back.

Nothing I can think of.

I liked this bike ride. It was hard at times going up the hills, many rollers and one longer climb. I was hooting and hollering some and woo-hooing, which means the endorphins have kicked in. The left hammy was feeling a bit tight and I was a bit worried about it on the run, but no problems.

Tried to just push harder.

Ran in with my bike and got my other shoes on, race belt and ripped off my gloves, put hat on. Seemed like it went smoothly.

Maybe would have removed my gloves before getting to transition.

At first, my legs felt like I'd just ridden hard, which I had. After about a mile I started to settle into a little quicker pace. In many ways I wish I'd had my Garmin so I could see my pace, but I also think it sometimes slows me down if I see myself running too fast in the beginning. I got hot, which I normally don't do. I think the harder effort on the bike helped heat me up. The black Bella shirt didn't help any. At mile 2 I thought, "It's only mile 2," but then I just re-focused, knew I wasn't stopping so one foot in front of the other. I picked up the pace a bit at mile 4 1/5 and then the last mile I kept wondering where the hell the finish line was. We had to run around the boardwalk in front of the diners in the restaurant. I felt a bit like the parade, should have done my parade wave. There were signs that said show us your bib number, presumably for the photog. At one point, I thought it was going to say show us your T--ts, like in New Orleans. That got me laughing to myself. Again, did some woo-hoos and got some interesting stares and looks from other runners.

Tried to kick in a bit earlier, but I was tired and giving it all I had. I was actually breathing pretty hard by the time I finished. Although I did have a kick at the end. Not sure how much longer I could have sustained it.

Walked around with DH and son and cheered other bellas and other runners. Stretched a bit and got some oranges and bananas and drank copious amounts of water.


Riding 30 miles the day before, per coach's instructions.


NEeded more buses to shuttle us back to the transition. Didn't like the way we had to walk to expo and drop off bikes day before, but it all seemed to work out. It really is a beautiful course with the San Diego bayfront and skyline as the back drop. We live in a beautiful area.

I just posted the splits and am very pleased with my times. I may be in the MOP, but I'm damn happy about these times. If I'd of shortened up my transitions a bit I'd be a couple of places higher...no biggee.