My estimated swim time of 26 minutes put me in the 2nd heat. I was able to push my pace a bit, but struggled to pass at the walls. I ended up slowing down and just drafting at times. I was hoping not to slow others down in the pool, but for the first time I felt slowed by others. I kinda liked that feeling. :)

Gulp... Place myself in a faster heat.

Don't think transition times were recorded. I was slow anyway. It was cold and rainy so I added a shirt, long sleeve bike jersey, skull cap, and gloves. No records set in transition.

In warmer weather, without all the extra clothes, I would have been faster.

I came out the water early in my heat. I was by myself for much of the bike ride. I passed a few people who were struggling. It felt a little odd to be so amped up and racing, but alone.

Shift more.

I wasn't aware that there would be bike catchers. Threw me off rolling into transition. Had a decent T2, but not sure on the actual time.

I need Tri shoes and yanks laces.

Pretty tight for the first K. It was cold and seemed to take awhile to wake up the legs. Felt pretty steady until the hill. Had to walk. Ran back down the hill and pushed the pace after the turn around. Felt good about the run despite the slower time.

Find someone to carry me up the hill.

A frantic high five session with the kiddos. Then a bagel, heed, and some hot coffee.


the wind and cold. It's not exactly the Norseman, but it was tough. Just FYI, 24hrs after the race we had several inches of fresh snow in the valley. April in Montana. Gotta love it.


Had a blast. The heats started every half hour at 8am through 3pm. There was a lot of racing to watch. Tate and me volunteered as bike catchers for a few hours. Glad we did. He had fun.