This was the best swim I've ever had in a race. I was feeling confident for once, something I've gained by swimming alot more this season than last, so that definitely helped. I got into a good grove and stayed fairly straight to the first turn. Once we got on the back stretch I found someone to draft for a long time, and they were doing a good job staying straight so I didn't have to worry about sighting which was nice because the sun was right in my eyes for this portion. Once we made the final turn I picked up the pace and finished strong.

Not much, this was great. I probably should learn bi-lateral breathing so I can avoid the sun if it happens again.

After the swim exit we ran up a wet flight of stairs and across a road into transition. I was a little worried about T1 because I've never practiced taking my wetsuit off quickly, but I did a great job I think. I got my bike stuff and ran to the mount line.

I had one of the faster T1 times so I can't really complain much. I do want to start clipping my shoes into the pedals before the race though because I have trouble getting in right away with the speedplays sometimes.

This wasn't my best ride ever, but it was a good one. I pushed a good pace right out of the gate. I felt like I could've been faster on some of the hills but no one really passed me on them so I guess I was doing ok. I made sure to get the most out of the downhills on the last few miles of the course. I tried to get my average MPH back up to 20, but ran out of course. Still a solid bike leg though.

Once again I had problems taking in nutrition on the bike. This has been a problem for me in every race I've ever done. I wasn't sweating a ton so I don't think I was terribly dehydated, but its going to get me eventually, especially if I want to move on to longer races.

Another great transition. I was able to get my feet out of the shoes easily and got to my rack quickly.

Nothing, it was the 13th fastest T2 after all :)

This is where my race completely fell apart. I came out of T2 right around 1:45:00 and thought to myself "This is fantastic, I can definitely break 2:30:00 for this race!". My run training has been coming along fantastic and I knew I could put out a low 40s 10k, I was so excited. I ran out of transition and out of the gate fast, then all of the sudden it happened. My lower abdominal muscles cramped so bad I had to stop moving. Anytime I tried to run the pain would become unbearable and I had to stop. It felt like my abdominal wall was going to rip open anytime I tried to straighten my body. Many of the people passing me asked if I was ok. I wasn't. I wanted to cry, not just from the pain but because I knew the race I had trained for and looked forward to all year was going out the window. Thoughts of quiting (not just the race, but the entire sport) crossed my mind, but I kept trying to move forward. It took me 23 minutes to cover the first 2 miles and thats when I gave up trying to run. I jogged easily at a pace that kept the pain dull enough to tolerate, which was about 9:30/mi. Each time someone from my age group passed I hopelessly tried to match them but would immediately have to stop from the pain.

Here's a funny side note to lighten the mood: Near the last mile marker someone cheering on said to me "You're doing great, you don't even look tired!" and I had to chuckled as I thought to myself "That's because I've never gone this slow in my life, I'm NOT tired!"

This has never happened to me in any of my training so I don't even know how to avoid a repeat. I guess I should just chalk it up to bad luck and forget about it.

I decided to stay out of transition because I was worried I would smash my stuff out of frustration, so I just hung out at the finish line and waited for Jamie to finish (who had a GREAT race btw).


I think I've covered this one already lol.


Even though I didn't have the race I was hoping for, it was still a fun event. The post race lunch was by far the best race food I've ever had. If I'm still in NY next summer, I will probably be back to hopefully defeat what happened today.