I had a great 200 m, I was a length ahead of the person behind me, then I started to get tired. Coach Jason was watching and he said I looked great, long and fast, and then everything shortened up and went to hell. Otherwise it was pretty good. I lost count, I hate that.
At one point, I was stopped by the marshall to allow someone to pass me. There was no one there. When he finally reached the bulkhead, he said he couldn't reach my toes to tap them and let me know he was there. I swore so much I thought I would be DQ'd I passed him back within 25 m!
Good swim over all. Not spectacular. But I felt comfortable for most of it.

Practice more and keep focused on long strokes.

I described all the stuff I had to put on above. The transition really lagged because of the distance I had to run to get my stuff, then back outside.
I really did take my time though. I noticed there were quite a few people who I beat in the water who were out before me. I didn't care though. I had made a decision when I first got to the race site to go hard, but to enjoy myself and to not suffer because of the weather.
So I took my time getting ready for the bike. I was going to enjoy the ride.
I should add that I had duct taped my bike shoes to keep the cold and some of the wet out. My socks still got soaked, but as they are wool, my feet kept warm.

Nothing. I deliberately took my time.
If I was seriously trying to get a personal best I would have changed more quickly and found an indoor transition spot that wasn't so far from the exit.

I blew it, but I loved that ride. It was cold and snowy and wet and people looked unhappy and I was passing everyone of them and having a blast. I was toasty warm, never hot and am really glad I took my time in transition.
The road was closed to traffic (for the most part) so this was a great opportunity to motor.
Some people, worried about the weather brought their cross bikes. The headwind really killed them.
I loved that ride! So much that I did an extra lap :p

Dirty Girl loved it, but the grit and dirt was making some awful noises in the machinery and brakes/rims.
I was at the bottom of the ranking. But after I did some of my fancy math and looking at my average speed, had I only done 6 laps I would have been in the top 15 or so on the ride and top 3 in my age group.
Stoooopid rookie mistake. But I loved that ride!

Count the damn laps.
Here is what I think happened. I had to reclear my computer and I miscounted how long every lap was. So when I turned around I thought I had done 18k when I had actually done more...so I shot past the turn off.
Dumb mistake. Everything else was perfect. Strong ride. Good nutrition (Hammer perpetuum) Out of saddle acceleration, exceptional aero position.
This was textbook riding for me. And I felt incredibly strong!

Left my shoes out by bike so had some balance issues, didn't want to touch my socks on the wet, cold grass. Socks were already soaked, but as they were wool, I had no problems.
Transition was actually very good. Still a little slower than I'm used to. I took my time.

Speed it up a bit. Sit down, like I always do to put my shoes on.

Great run. Ran with a woman from my spin class who's name I can't recall...Zena?
She pulled ahead at the halfway point up the hill and I never caught her.
Wasn't passed by anyone else. Felt fast and strong and always in control. I ran really well. I am very surprised how slow my time is, I thought I was going a lot faster.
I really enjoyed this run. It was the perfect end to a race that I will never forget.

Pay more attention to my pace and go more quickly.
Perhaps I had burned out my legs a bit on the bike. But I really had no clue I was going that slowly!

Not much else. I was a little overdressed, same clothes as on bike, without the balaclava, but I didn't overheat too much.

Did a media interview. Walked around. Tried to figure out if I had done an extra lap...several people had. Doh!
Had a shower, relaxed.


Inability to count. Still slow on the swim and run.
Bad weather (that I loved)
Age, chubbiness. General sloth.


Yes I messed up. Yes, this is no way a personal best (although my bike ride was stellar). I still enjoyed myself and proved that I can perform in any weather.
This will go down as one of my favourite accomplishments and one of my biggest disappointments at the same time.
It was a good day for me.

I really felt like I belonged.