My wave was about 50 people (all women doing the sprint distance). I started on the side, so that I could go a little wide of the group. I still got stuck behind people that had the same plan as me. I went a little wider around the bouys than I had planned.

I tried to draft, but can't really figure out how to do it.

Have the nerve to start a little farther toward the front. There were a lot of people slower than me to get past.

I need to be more calm on the start, and concentrate a bit more on form. My nerves made it harder on me until about halfway through the swim. I think I'll actually be better on longer swims.

I liked the spot I chose for the transistion, at the end of the rack - it gave me more room.

Didn't put on socks for the bike.

I should practice getting the wetsuit over my heels.

I had ridden the course earlier in the week, so I had some strategy for the hills. Such as, really holding back at the beginning of the longest uphill stretch until nearing the top, then powering over it and couching down as low as I could behind my mountain bike bars for the long down hill. (I got up to 34 - that's fast for me).

I remembered to drink more this time.


There were no marshalls on the course, and it was hard to pass because a lot of people were riding in the middle or left. I had a conversation with a guy who I would pass and then he'd pass me. We rode next to each other for a little while, but i know that's not legal.

Um, get a road bike.

I drank about a half of a water bottle on the bike. I should try to drink a little more.

The hardest part was running after the dismount, there was a short, steep downhill into the transition area. I started running down the hill (I've got mountain bike shoes, so the rubber tread extends below cleats). There were people in front of me running on carbon fiber and cleats that weren't going as fast. It was a weird feeling to realize that I couldn't slow down. Nope, I just didn't have control of my quads yet, and I was running down that hill fast. If it were a little longer, I would have hit someone, or I would have had to fall to the ground to stop myself.

I put on socks for the run (last race my feet bled from not having socks). My feet were numb, and it was a bit hard to get them on.

Scope out a clear line for me to go barreling down into transition.

Find socks that are easier to get on than the ones I used.

I felt very slow, although I guess I passed more people than I got passed by. On the other hand, I felt strong on the run. My quads quickly snapped out of the jelly-like feeling, and I felt like I had good form and kept an even pace.

Push myself harder. I can usually (in running races) push myself to where I can't even talk, and keep it there at least for a 5k distance. I didn't seem to be able to do that. Maybe I need more practice running off the bike or maybe I need more hills/speedwork.

I stopped at the 2nd water station. I should have either just gone to the first, or skipped them both. (On the longer races I have to pay more attention to hydration).

None - unless you count walking over to the tent where a nice woman strapped a bag of ice to my leg to help my shin splints.


I think I could have pushed myself to go faster. Other than that, I think my limiters were physical. I will improve with more training. And, if I lose weight, I could pick up some speed.


This race is the first in a series of three at the same location. I signed up for all of them. This first is a sprint, the last one is an Olympic and the one in the middle is in between.

Overall, I look forward to going back. I had a good time here, and I think it's a good venue for newbies.

It wasn't the most organized, but I knew that before I signed up, so it's okay. The distances may not have been exact, and they didn't have chip timing (that would have been nice). Also, there were no separate times for the transitions.