The waves and the current freaked me out and I forgot all form! I didn't keep my face in the water and swim like I have trained. There was an awful lot of cursing by other swimmers, I think mainly due to the surf and water current conditions. I stopped and floated to rest a couple of times.

Swim with my face in the water the way I have trained!

Walked for several yards on beach & then jogged/staggered slowly across beach, up stairs, across road into T1. I removed my cap, goggles and wetsuit smoothly. Put on my sunglasses and helmet. Unracked my bike and then noticed others had their race number around their waist. I tried to re-rack my bike but dropped it and almost tripped over it! Struggled to put on belt with number. Finally got the bright idea to buckle it in front of me and then slide number to back (sheer genious!). Age group rank T1 19/30

Put on race number properly after helmet. Don't drop stinking bike!

I was most comfortable on the biking segment. I felt like I was passing many more people than those who passed me. I have to admit, I am surprised my age group ranking was only 24/30 on this!

Get down lower in the drops and/or aerobars. I probably should have done a little more shifting. I should have drank more water.

This appeared to go relatively smoothly. Age group rank T2 23/30

I would have selected a bike rack spot much closer to the run exit.

Totally burned out on the run! I was feeling the bagel and coffee/water sloshing around in my stomach. Once I hit the pavement I really got hot. Was not able to run and drink water so I had to stop and drink. The bottom line is that I was simply not able to keep up any kind of pace. I probably stopped 3 or 4 times to walk. I also had to go to the bathroom! My sneakers got wet when I ran along some sprinklers. Shortly thereafter I formed blisters on both feet (I ran sockless).

I would eat and drink EARLY. I would go to the bathroom right before the race.

Drank water, ate the watermelon and oranges that were provided to the racers. I then snuck on the beach and went in the ocean to cool off with my son and his friends.


Experience and training. I definitely need to do more bricks.


I missed the awards ceremony because I was swimming in the ocean. If I had stayed I would have met Kristin & Brad (my mentors friends). Overall, it was much more difficult than I expected but I am determined to keep training and improve. Hey, I did it!