I really thought my swim went better than the time shows although compared to some of my previous times it isn't horrible.

At the start I 'fought' (not literally) for my space and didn't shy back like I often do when I don't see clear water. I got knocked in the face/goggles once but thankfully they stayed put. I did need to detour around a kayak that drifted into the path of the swimmers.

Second leg I found clear water and felt like I was in a pretty good groove, nothing bad to report.

After rounding the last buoy I turned it up a notch, or at least tried to. Again, nothing bad to report. Swam until I almost touched bottom, then stood up and waded to shore. Took off my cap and goggles as I headed up the hill, then unzipped my wetsuit. Was cautious going up the hill as not to tweak my Achilles this early in the day.

Nothing, I don't think.

Pretty good transition, I think, considering I put on extra clothes (vest). I finished taking off my wetsuit, put on my sunglasses, helmet, race number, bike shoes and put on a vest. Grabbed the bike and headed out.

Nothing

Wellll, now here's where I get a bit more upset about my performance. Granted it was a bit windy and a bit rainy (mainly just quick showers), but this was one of my worst bike times ever at this race. Another caveat: the bike course was altered slightly from past years because of road construction but I think the distance is close, this year may have been .2 miles longer?

But a friend who I usually am faster than got done on the bike before me, which also makes me think it was me and not conditions/route. I know compared to many I'm no speed demon, but for me the bike is usually my strongest leg and usually a result I can be proud of. I also felt pretty strong and confident in the rides recently that led up to this race over the past few weeks, so I'm not quite sure what happened.

I was having some breathing issues, not sure of the cause - asthma, allergies, VCD, all of the above?! I don't know for sure.

All in all it was relatively uneventful, except for a few less-than-safe passes by the faster men overtaking earlier waves. Lawn Hill still sucks. Oh, how I hate that dang hill!

Oh, and I had toe warmers in between the sole and the insert so I could ride barefoot without freezing my feet.

Saw a fair amount of people with flat tires including one woman toward the end on the last bigger hill. She ended up passing me on the run, ha!

Not have breathing issues, however that could be done. Get better at hills which means losing weight.

Decent transition. Took my feet out of my shoes on the way toward transition. Hung up the bike, took off helmet and vest, put on shoes, grabbed hat and put that on as I was running out. For a split second I began to turn the wrong way to go out of transition (the usual bike in/out and run in /out were reversed because of the bike course change). 8 years of turning one way to go out of transition is a habit! Thankfully I caught my mistake very quickly and turned the correct way.

Nothing.

I knew the run wasn't going to be anything spectacular because of lack of run training because of rehabbing an Achilles injury and the last thing I wanted to do was to set back my healing. I started out pretty easy and ended up walking just a teeny bit (maybe 100 feet) to catch my breath which was still more labored than I'd like.

Eventually I fell into an acceptable pace as I headed to the turnaround. I walked through the turnaround, taking a drink. Tried for a brief moment to keep pace with a guy that had just passed me slowly but didn't think that was prudent. Decided to keep the pace I was at until I got to the end of the gravel where it goes back to blacktop, then pick up the pace. This mostly worked out but man, did my breathing sound awful coming in the home stretch! Ugh.


Nothing different could've been done considering the circumstances.

Huffed and puffed as the volunteer removed my chip, then made it to the water table, then found K and cheered H in to the finish. Cheered for L as well, then took my things to the car and got changed. Returned to the main area for awards and hanging out with 'The Legacies', all of which got some sort of placement award.

After the race we went to a BBQ joint and got warm and enjoyed some laughs and tasty food and beer!


Overall race thoughts: not a completely horrible race but also not what I know I'm capable of. The bike really has me mystified. Once I have more confidence in my Achilles and get whatever was going on with my breathing settled, I'll be good. That and get rid of some weight.


This race was my first tri ever back in 2010, so it's a local favorite to return to year after year, plus I love supporting Chris and his very worthy cause.