The water was warmer than anyone was expecting, given that it was 60 some odd degrees at the time. First time swimming for a longer time in a wetsuit. The suit was great, but I panicked because it was my first time in water that wasn't clear. Centennial Beach is chlorinated, but not filtered, and the water was a bit murky. That fact threw me off more than anything, and I couldn't get into the swim. I ended up backstroking the better part of the event.

Surprised that I made it in 21 minutes. I was estimating 26. I blame the suit.

Definitely need more open water practice. And the wet suit saved my life. Without it, I probably would have given up before reaching the first turn.

There's a long run out of the swim to the transition area, over sand and then asphalt sidewalks.

I got out of the pool needing to go to the bathroom so, so desperately, and wishing I had peed in the pool. You're welcome to my competitors who I did not inflict that on. ;)

Didn't know where to put my wet suit when I pulled it off.

Practice the transition. This was my first time really doing a full one.

My hips (flexors) started to ache by the back half of the first loop, and I was desperate to go to the bathroom the entire time.

The back half of the second loop had a bit of wind. I hadn't practiced in wind, so I mashed on.

I feel like I both pushed it too hard on the bike, and that I didn't give it enough.

Better bike fitness. I knew this would be my downfall, if anything, of the whole race. I didn't respect the degree to which the bike performance impacts your race time.

Did not run with the bike. I may have tried to run, but it was a weak shuffle, and it made more sense to walk. Thank goodness I was racked near the Bike Out/In.

One thing I wasn't counting on was how to cope with re-racking my bike. Of course, everyone who came in before me had racked in a slightly different position than they had before, which meant I had to wedge my bike into a much narrower space. I got tangled in the gears of the bike to my right.

I absolutely HAD to stop to use a port-a-pottie before leaving on the run. I was not prepared to wet myself out there.

Um... I have no idea. Peed on the bike?

I was hurting for the run. Totally hurting. I walked before we even got to the trees. So much walking. Go figure: I PRd the 5k anyway.

Better bike fitness so I had something to spare on the run.

Uh... banana?


The swim start threw me off my game early, but once I settled in to enjoy the race, I was limited only by my general fitness level. I'm stronger than I was before I started training, but not as strong as I could be.


This is a great race. Well-organized, lots of volunteers, lots of community support. The energy from the participants is positive and it's very welcoming for first-timers. I would absolutely do this race again.