The swim was by far my strongest leg of the event. I was a little nervous about it being my first open water swim, so I purposely moved to the back of my wave because I had no idea how I would do. I ended up passing about half of the people in front of me.

I also kept running into the bouey's, I couldn't swim in a staight line to save my life. For that reason I switched to the breast-stroke 3 or 4 times, and even did the backstroke for about 20 seconds.

Only swallowed a few mouthfuls of lake water, but felt completely AWESOME about the swim.

Start more towards the front of my heat. I could push it more on the swim, now that I know I won't freak out in the open water.

I was shocked to find out how different it feels to do a transition completely soaking wet.

My cap and goggles were pulled off before I exited the water and I counted with my fingers the rows to my bike rack (glad I counted beforehand). Rinsed my feet off, dried off, un-necessarily put on my race belt/number, first grabbed my running hat instead of my helmet (quickly realized this mistake), opted for no sunglasses since it was cloudy. Shoes and socks could have been put on quicker.

As soon as I got on the bike I had a weird feeling that I had grabbed the wrong bike. I checked at least 3 or 4 times to make sure. I think it felt so different because I was soaking wet (mainly my butt, I've never ridden with a wet butt before).

Not much, maybe drink some water before I get on the bike. Dry the butt off more.

I already knew this, but the bike portion overwhelmingly confirmed that I suck at the bike. I would describe it with words like "awful," "excruciating," and "never-ending." I was crawling up the hills at a pace where I probably could have walked the bike faster than riding. Everyone passed me. I only passed 3 people the whole time - one was a girl who dropped her water bottle and was stopped to pick it up. The other two were struggling as bad as I was, I figured it must have been a fluke that I passed them.

I seriously contemplated asking a few people who passed me if I had taken a wrong turn and ended up on the long course. Let me put it this way: I was praying just shortly after mile 2.

Get a bike coach and figure out what the heck I'm doing wrong! Obviously I have no leg strength so I need to hit the weight room in that area.

Not get so frusterated at everyone passing me. I knew that would happen, and I only let it get me down a little - until I saw the results.

Learn how to drink on the bike. I was dying.

I walked my bike all the way to my transition area because I was hurting. When I go there, some dude's wetsuit was draped over my area so I had to maneuver between other bikes to move it. Switched the helmet for my running hat, and decided to take a minute to down a Gatorade. I hadn't drank anything at all on the bike, so I was parched. If I hadn't done that my time would have been much better, but I thought I needed the hydration and I don't really regret doing that.

I was really glad my boyfriend was there to give me some encouragement before the run. We've been training for the run together so it was nice to hear the same words I've heard for 6 months when I really needed it. He also ran a little ways out with me in the grass (with my dog, too).

Run my bike to the rack.

I stopped twice in the first mile of the run, which pissed me off. It doesn't help when a lot of other people are walking... kind of makes you think it's okay or normal, but I'd of rather kept on going. Also stopped twice at the water stations, but I planned on doing that.

I knew I would be slower on the run, so I wasn't suprised at my time. I actually felt pretty good about it. I saw my family on the home stretch and knew I had to finish strong.

Towards the finish line I started getting misty eyed and my nose was running like a faucet. I was pretty emotional about finishing with everyone clapping and cheering. But then I saw the event photographer and knew I couldn't be crying in my photo! So I smiled real big and that was the end of that.

I finished super strong, which always means I had more in the tank. My Dad was right there at the finish line, which was cool.

Not stop and go stronger. There is a lot of room for improvement.

I coudln't stomach the pizza that was available, but I did gulp a Gatorade. Found my family and gave my boyfriend and doggie some kisses.

We jet out of there pretty quickly so we could make it home in time for the USA World Cup soccer game.


Lack of muscle and training. I'd say lack of sleep, but suprisingly that didn't seem to affect me at all.


This was my first race, so I have nothing to compare it to. I will say that the directions from the hotel to the race were awful. Both me and my family got completely lost.

There were a lot of volunteers cheering us on, and everyone was really helpful. Well organized.