Being generally nervous for my first Tri I was all over the place for the swim. Thinking too much about EVERYTHING else but my rythm and breathing. Here is the list of stuff that I kept thinking about when I should have been concentrating on myself.

Start:
- OMG THERE ARE FEET & ARMS EVERYWHERE
- OMG I JUST TOUCHED THAT PERSON'S THIGH, I'M SORRY
- OMG THIS PERSON KEEPS HITTING MY FEET
- OKAY Let me try to get clear and get out of the mess

Coming up to the first buoy:
- So, how am i supposed to make this turn?
- OMG I'M STILL GOING STRAIGHT!!

a bit after the buoy:
- So, lets see where all the caps are
- Geez I can't breathe... Lets do the breast stroke for a bit
- Uh OH! Green caps! hurry up!

Coming to next buoy:
- How did I do that last one?

Water Exit
- They said the right side is easier to walk out of...
- Well the right side is too far lets try getting out here (proceed to step into knee deep mud!




Concentrate on myself and ONLY myself. find a proper rhythm to have a more efficient swim. Practice rounding buoys!

Transition was good and pretty average considering i had to wipe off mud and sand. Gloves and camelbak had to come on right away as the single track wasn't going to wait. I can't run w/o socks so I threw those on too

not much. Maybe think about gear placement? i.e. towel for wiping feet etc.

I've definitely got to get my climbing legs in order. I also hurt myself w/o the big knobs. I can't wait for a decent all mountain 29x3 rubber. The stock surly knards offer little grip in slick conditions especially against climbing on roots. Maybe knard front and alternate rear?

Tire selection but there currently isn't much available stateside

Single-track right up until the dismount point so it was not possible to remove shoes while riding.

Comparitively I did well in this transition there wasn't much left to do. Maybe grab Gatorade coming out of transition

CRAMP CITY!!!

I needed to take on more fluids during the ride but it wasn't possible w/ the terrain, I took in as much as possible. Maybe change diet?

Also shoes may be a bit too big.

I've also gotta get more confidence with foot placement etc when descending on rocky & rooty terrain

I could have possibly pushed harder for all events but I didn't have a true gauge of my 'race-pace' and abilities.

The swim - Too much time spent in breast stroke catching breath. Definitely need to shut out everything else and concentrate on what I'm doing and my rhythm. I could have had a better swim if I did that. Turning the corner for the buoys was awkward maybe some research is in order.

The bike - CLIMBING LEGS and TIRES!!!! Too much time on a trainer and not enough on the tails. Didn't have the legs for it, and when I did, the tires didn't have the grip I needed, too much slipping. They're fast rolling tires but not very good for the slick stuff.

Run - deal with the cramps... drink and eat better and I should have a better result