I was a big chicken and started at the back right side of the pack. It took time to wade in and then more time pass all the people I started behind. A few minutes in I realized that I hadn't started my watch and stopped to tread water and start it. Then about halfway in I felt my timing chip strap coming loose from my ankle and had to stop to fix it. On a positive note, it felt great to come out of the water with some of the guys who started in the wave before me.

I am a strong swimmer so I should start at the front of the pack and closer to the buoys. I need to pick the straightest, shortest line and go for it. I also need to go harder. I had a lot left when I exited the water.

What the heck??? 5:37 for T-1??? What was I doing, blow-drying my hair???!!! Actually, I made a rookie mistake. I read about on the boards and screwed up anyway. I swam in a one-piece suit and attempted to put shorts and a shirt over it in T-1. I got all caught up in the shirt and had to try to put it on a couple of times until someone took pity on me and helped me.

Everything. I need to wear tri-shorts in the water instead of trying to pull on shorts and a shirt during T-1. I need to get through the T-1 a lot quicker!

I really enjoyed the biking - except for the part where I was being passed by everyone that I had passed in the swim. During the end of the first lap I passed a guy named Bob going up the hill and then he passed me going down. We spent the rest of the race going back and forth - I would pass him where there was any incline and he would pass me on the decline. We would yell encouraging things back and forth as we passed.
Towards the end of the second lap my parents showed up with my kids! It was so great to be biking towards them and seeing them jumping up and down and yelling for me!

I need to get a road bike and find some people to bike with. I need to figure out how to hydrate correctly. It was disheartening to be passed by so many people.

I biked in my running shoes so all I had to do was get my helmet off and my hat on.

My legs were very wobbly - I need to practice more bricks.

BLECHHHHHHH!
The only good things about the run were that I got to meet Jolean (ohsoreadytogo) and my son ran the last 1/4 mile with me and over the finish line!

PRACTICE MORE BRICKS!!!

Walked around with my mom and my son a bit.


This was my first tri so some of my mistakes were probably due to lack of experience. I also need to keep working on conditioning and bricks.


I wish there was a photographer. I would give anything to have a picture of my son crossing the finish line with me on my first tri!
The weather was perfect, the course was great and the organizers and volunteers were fabulous.