We started out riding on the greenway- it was shaded and very cold. My fingers felt numb, and it was hard to shift or brake. I was still cold around mile 19 and I went to grab some Gummy Bears out of my Bentos Box. I could barely pick them up. And when I did get them into my mouth they were hard as rocks. They were so frozen they lost their gummi-ness and felt more like Jolly Ranchers. Eventually as the day warmed up the gummy bears thawed out. I tried not to hang out at the rest stops very long because I knew I wouldn't be getting those breaks in the 1/2 IM. The first rest stop was around 19 miles and I past it because I didn't need to stop. However, I did have to go to the bathroom. I kept riding thinking I'd pull off on the side of the road and find a place to squat. But that would be hard to do becasue I had on my skin suit, with tights and my bike jersey over it. At one point when I was still cold, I seriously thought about peeing on myself. That would help me warm up and resolve the issue of having to de-layer to use the bathroom. But then I looked down and realized that I didn't want my new "Mr. Softie" seat cover to be covered in urine. I noticed that my water bottle was right below my seat and that would have gotten drenched too- that would be gross to have to drink out of it after peeing on it. So I held it until the mile 40 rest stop which it seemed like it took forever to get there. I missed this rest stop (There weren't any arrows ont he road) so I past it. Eventually when I didn't see anyone else in front of mr or behind me, I decided to stop and look at the map. Yep- I passed it. I found it and when I got off my bike the saddle was loose- it was really wobbly and ready to fall off. I had gotten a new saddle a few days earlier at my bike fitting and apparently the guy at the LBS didn't put it on tight enough. I had my alel wrench set with me I went ahead and tightened it. No wonder why my butt was was sore- the seat was hanging on for dear life! I fixed my seat, went to the bathroom, filled my water bottles, met up with some people and was off. It took longer than I thought but that's ok. The hills got worse after mile 40, and I was struggling. I took off my tights at the rest stop and shoved them into my bike jersey pocket, and couldn't find my gels. I needed one but couldn't find one. I stuck it out until the end but it was painful- I'm slow with hills.

Not wear my tri suit for practice- wearing a skin suit with bike clothes was a pain when I had to use the rest room. I should have checked my saddle prior to the race to ensure it wasn't loose. Also I should have brought another gel with me.

Got back to my car, loaded up bike bike, changed into my running shoes, and went for a 20 min. run.


Nothing- just more practice with hills and longer rides.


This was a good race- the course was challenging but very nice and scenic. Alot of the rodes were were on were back roads. It was well oragnized and the volunteers were nice and helpful. The roads were marked very good- except for the 2nd rest stop.