the swim for me in this race, which was my biggest concern going into this event had a happy ending. It turned out that the swimming was no big deal. My fear was that I wouldn't be able to get through the distance but as it turns out the real challenges for me still were ahead.

I got kicked in the mouth and punched, thankfully not hard enough to do any damage. At least I know have an idea of what that's like instead of living in fear of it happening.

I put my goggles on first, with the strap tucked beneath my swim cap, something I learned in an open water clinic. Punch me, kick me and poke me with your elbow, your not knocking the goggles completely off. :)

do some open water swimming before the event if possible. Get pointers on how to sight (if I can't remember) before going into the event.

Swim well over the distance of the race on a more consistent bases.

For gods sake, I need to take transitions a little more seriously, I take way to long to make them.


I fiddled with my shirt. Put it on backwards. Inside out.

practice transitions outside of race day.

Pay more attention to every detail. Lay the shirt down so the front is facing down, so I put it on right. Bring a shirt or something that can accommidate food.

I felt great for the first hour and ten minutes, riding much faster than my final avergage but then it all changed. Part of my down fall was lack of fitness, part of it was my feet were in terrible pain and the other was enviornmental, the wind across some of the back flats was a real drag.

With an hour and a half left I was wimpering (crying) like a baby in pain. Luckly no one else was around to witness this. The hour edges of my feet were killing me. I wanted to unclip, quit, stop, you name it. When I finally got to dismount I could hardly walk. I sat down and got those dam Sidi's off and put on my running shoes and headed out of the transition area, running. Ugh!

I think I gave the ride a good shot but I felt kind of weak.

Become Quadzilla. Lift huge weights in the off season and continue to lift during the season. I could stand to put on some muscle.

Also riding like a banchy, putting in more and more long rides would have been very helpful. The weather has sucked this year so...that's my excuse although I could have been a little more disciplined (in a perfect world of course).

to long again!

make a plan for transitions. I should of stretched some. I should have had a plan!!!!

The first 4 miles sucked. I tried adjusting my heal strike position to eliminated the foot pain. That worked about as good as trying to heard a pack of cats. I started to get philosphical, trying to examine the sensation in my foot and rationalize that it was just a sensation and to just observe it.

Finally the pain disipated (which I never thought would happen) and I started to run like wasn't injured. That lasted for the next three miles and then I just got tired and hungry. The gu's, balance bars and hammer sports drinks are all fine and dandy, but after 5-7 hours you start dreaming of subway sub sandwichs, chocolate milk, coffee and all things food. I was h-u-n-g-r-y for some real calories.

I had met some wonderful guys the day before when I was testing the pond water and as I came down that last stretch of path in the run there they were. With a little encouragement from them, I picked it up and came on in. I spontaneously cried as I crossed the finish line. I think I scared the poor little girl who was handing out the metals. It was such an unexpected emotional moment for me. I was so happy to have completed it and oh so tired.


I used a run walk strategy. I ran for 10 minutes and walked one. It worked out well considering the state I was in.

train with more intensity for the run and bike. Do more bricks and talk to other experienced athletes who you admire there training and learn how to race and train smarter.

general fitness and athletic maturity that comes with TIME.


This race while it was one of the hardest events I have ever attempted was so cool. I learned so much about myself and it was interesting to have the intensity of emotion that comes with the process.