My first 100 yards was rough. As soon as they said "Go" and I jumped in feet first, my adrenaline started pumping like never before. I had intended to have a really easy and relaxing swim as more of a warm-up than anything. Instead, I sprinted the first 50 yards and passed 3 people. I had no idea I was sprinting - I was simply keeping up with my heart beat. My breathing was off from the start.

At 50 yards I suddenly realized that I couldn't breathe. I had tried to slow down into a good pace, but my heartrate was still sprinting. I couldn't catch my breath. I panicked. Breathing only on the right almost every stroke for a short distance didn't work. Then I tried breast stroke for about 4 strokes, though I hadn't breast stroked in over a year - even in training. I swam freestyle a few more yards still freaking out. Then I stopped and treaded water for about 3 breaths. I heard everybody, especially the lifeguards, screaming at me to get my butt moving and don't stop. I started swimming again.

Just before I hit 100 yards I told myself, "You have got to get a hold of yourself and calm down. Just start breathing slower, and get into a rythm. Remember how much you like swimming?" And that's what happened. I got into a good relaxed rythm for the last 200 yards and calmed down. I was so ready to get out of that pool and on my way, that I had already pulled up and was half-way out of the pool before the 2 burley guys, who were pulling the swimmers up and out, even turned around from helping the last person. I ran out, grinning ear to ear, all they way to T1.

Practice circle-swimming with other people in my lane. Practice jumping in feet first and going. Be more prepared for the adrenaline rush. Practice alternative strokes to freestyle incase of phreak-out.

Nutrition: 1/2 peanut butter cliff bar, 8 oz gatorade

I decided to take some extra time and eat and drink a little while in transition because I knew that I was probably already close to dehydration. I struggled a little to get my bike off the rack. What seemed light before, felt heavy to handle. Everything went smoothly. People were already finishing the run when I started the bike.

I just wish that I had taken 30 seconds to check my bike and seat hight before heading for the bike course. I would also like to practice running and jumping on the bike.

Hydration: 16oz Gatorade

As soon as I got on my bike, I knew that something was not right. After a moment, I realized that my bike seat was lowered all the way down. For a split second I considered continueing without adjusting the seat, but immediately dismissed that foolishness, and stopped where the shoulder widened at a bridge. Turq passed me and hollared to see if I needed help, as well as a few others. I quickly raised the seat, and hopped back on.

After a few minutes, I realized something was wrong again! I looked down and saw that the seat had slipped down all the way. Again, I stopped to adjust it. 5 times, I stopped to adjust that seat. Finally on the 4th time, I was able to tighten it to where it would hold. The fifth stop was because I had been so flustered and fumbling that I hadn't raised it quite high enough. All of this added about 20 minutes to my bike time.

Unfortunately the seat wasn't my only problem. Somehow, my right front brake was engaged, and I couldn't get it to release. The brake pad was dragging heavily on the tire wall, and so no matter what gear I put the bike in, I had to power through every revolution.

While I was actually moving, I only was passed by 4 people, however, because I stopped so many times, I think I was actually the last cyclist on the route. I outlasted the photographers. The whole course was rough for me. The hills were killer because of the brake problem. It felt like 24 miles instead of 14. In the first couple of miles I got really mad at a few drivers who don't know how to drive with cyclists on the road. I had great momentum that was getting me up a rather large hill, when this SUV phreaked out trying to navigate around a cyclist, and I had to actually stop, mid-hill for the moron. I had a few choice words, and several deep breaths.

I honestly thought that somewhere I had taken a wrong turn because I went for miles without seeing anybody. Finally my friend Melodie got close to me, but she finally passed me when I stopped that last time. I was tired. Near the end, the oldest competitor - a 78 year old gentleman - passed us both. I cheered him on.

I rallied my energy on the last mile because we passed the run course. Lots of competitors was waiving at us, and I saw Turqy who offered some encouragement, and my training partner Dave was there cheering for me. Boy was I ready to get off that bike, when I got to T2!

Check my gear beforehand. If I absolutely had to stop, make sure I had everything adjusted properly to avoid multiple stops. Get a road bike.

I felt really good as I ran to my spot with my bike. There were alot of people milling around and getting their gear together because it was so late. Many of them called out my number and cheered me through my transition. My bike was really heavy at ths point, and it took a couple of tries to hoist it unto the rack. I felt great overall, the transition went pretty smoothly, and I was off and running before I knew it.

Hydrate and stretch my legs for an extra minute or 2.

Hydration: 2 cups water, 1 cup gatorade

I passed Melodie immediately as I started the course. About 50 yards into the run, my legs started fighting the new movement pattern. I was dehydrated. I walked for a little bit and then started running again. Dave was out there and he cheered me as I went by. It made me run faster seeing him, and hearing the people driving by in cars call out encouragement.

I kept this run/walk up for a little bit, until I started really cramping up. I drank 1 cup of water and poured some on my head which I really needed because the sun came out and was very hot just as I started the run. I about 3/4 of a mile into it, I had to stop for a few seconds to try to stretch my calves and then kept going. But it didn't help that much. So, finally I stopped by a tree and stretched for 3 minutes. Stretching was excruciating because my calves and quads were so cramped. Melodie passed me, but she was alternating walking too, though she didn't ever stop to stretch.

Once I started back running again, I felt a little better, and immediately there was a drink station with gatorade. I drank that and couldn't believe the difference. I had energy and stopped cramping. That last 1/2 mile the only thought I had was "God is my strength." It carried me through. I ran for the next mile, but by the last quarter mile I was walking again because of the dehydration.

When I neared the finish, I of course started running again. Melodie was just ahead of me, and all her family was there screaming for her. The announcer asked who she was and Erin went over and said it was her first tri and gave him her name, so he announced her like she was a celebrity when she crossed the finish line. Then they all realized I was coming and started yelling for me. I was so happy to finish, that my hands just flew up int the air. I don't even remember them taking off my timing trip. I was so ecstatic.

Stretch in T2!!! Drink gatorade. Train more for running.

I milled around at the finish, drank water, and visited wtih Mel, Nathan, and Erin's families, and talked to Turq. Then Dave helped us take our stuff to the car and we took our "Triathlete" pictures, before heading out.

Post-Race Nutrition: 24oz water, 3 slices deli turkey, 3 slices cantalope

Nap 1:30-3:30pm. My body felt really weird. As the day progressed I got really achey, nauseated, and weak. I was pretty dehydrated, and needed food.

Late dinner 8:30pm: beef tips, mashed potatoes, corn crackers, bread . . . mmm, mmm, good! I finally made myself eat and drink, and felt so, so much better.


Adrenaline and panic on the swim. 2 malfunctions with my bike. Dehydration and cramping on the run.

I hadn't trained this week prior to the race, and I was a little worried. I hurt all over, because I moved heavy furniture and such two days before the race. My low back was in pain, and I had strained muscles in my sholder and neck. I was super tired too. I didn't really think I'd be in this kind of (bad) shape before my race. But the week before, I felt really good when I was training, and had the 2 or 3 best run workouts I've had ever. Adrenaline and determination really got me through. I talked to God pretty much the whole race. Despite all my problems on the bike and those on the run, I still made my goal just barely to finish in under 2 hours. I loved my first tri! I'll be doing this again soon.


This was really a great race to do for my first tri. It was very organized, and the volunteers were really awesome. I'd like to do it next year and blow my time from this year away! I'm a triathlete.