This was my first triathlon and first open water swim. I swam as expected so I'm going to say the overall swim was good because despite the fact that I was back of the pack, it was good for me. (Swim rank 60 out of 65 women)

No 20 year hiatus from swimming. I swam my freshman year in high school and then started again last year. Also, it would be good to get in more than two open water swims before the event.

I took off the top of the wetsuit as I came out of the water and got out of the bottom in the transition area. Not sure if that's the best approach or not. I wore bike gloves. 2 fig newtons and a splash of water on the way out.

Consider not wearing bike gloves. Since I was on a road bike and the course was rough, I decided to go with the gloves this time

I had Camelbak Elixir in one of my water bottles and fig newtons and a pack of gels in my bento box. I had water in my other cage. I finished the Elixir and some of my water and had my fig newtons about one hour into the ride. My bike was making a noise which I realized was my cadence sensor. About 10 minutes into the ride I unclipped one foot and kicked the sensor to make it stop rubbing. Otherwise, no issues on the bike. I'm really glad that I was able to preview the route a few weeks ago. It helped met to know where the hills were and so forth.

Hill work. It's early in the bike season yet for me and I think that I would benefit from getting some hill work. If I did this race again, I would plan to get that started. It would be a challenge scheduling wise since I normally do hill work during the week and there is not that much light available in February and March.

Racked bike, removed helmet, gloves, changed shoes, grabbed hat, fig newtons and Gu. Ate fig newtons on the way out of the transition area and grabbe water at the .1 mile water stop. Messed with Forerunner.

Since I knew I would be BOP on the swim, I set specific time goals for myself on the bike and run and I wanted to track that while on the course.

Messed with Forerunner too much, had problems getting the display the way I wanted it.

It was out and back and out and back. I found this difficult to race because when you passed someone going the other way you did not know if they were on lap 1 or lap 2 (ahead of you or behind you). There was a water stop .1 from the transition area and then at the turn around and then the one near the transition area had a 5k timing mat that runners crossed the second time by, then back to the turn around and then to the finish. The course is relatively hilly.


On the up side, there was good comraderie on the run. On the bike too but especially on the run.

(Run rank 34 out of 65 women)

Run faster.

Packed up my gear, went to the awards to clap for Patty who I know from the gym and Brooke who I ride with from time to time.


This was my first tri. Mostly I'd say the swim. I need a lot more time in the pool to hopefully improve my swim time.


Lame t-shirt. The event is called Beaverdam because the park is called Beaverdam so the t-shirt should not say Beaver Dam.

A DJ was playing throughout the event and that was nice.

Changing facilities on site (bonus points!)

I like the cow bell someone was ringing towards the end of the run!