Had some pretty significant hip pain during the swim which was unusual. Swam much slower than usual, and not sure why. Maybe I was subconsciously saving something for later. It is true that my kick was off because of hips. Also, made attempts at drafting, but having gotten the hang of it yet, so mostly let it go. Though it doesn't seem like a high goal, I wanted to finish the swim and t1 in under an hour, which I did so I was well pleased with myself. Ran all the way from the swim exit to my bike (long ways!!) which made me doubly pleased. Yay for me!

Buy a wetsuit, swim better, have more stamina, sprint the first 200, whatever. So much room for improvement! But hey, I'll have all winter to work out the kinks.

There was a sharp hill coming out of the transition and out of the bike hill. Many were walking up it, but I biked it and my family was at the top cheering like mad. So was I!! Felt great and excited about the day.

I think I'd follow the advice of many and do the socks as condom roll-up. I can't imagine not using socks (the skin on my feet always feel so tender!), but otherwise pretty good.

Though the time doesn't seem stellar, it is my personal best! I can't maintain a strong pace for the 56 miles, and have never managed to drop to 14 mph. I really hoped that I would be able to do 14, and lo and behold! did 14.17mph! Thrilled with the ride. As I came up to the dismount line (which was a long ways from the transition area), I had to go over this speed bump--because I was quite sort and cramped, I couldn't stand in the saddle and had to take it on the... chin, so to speak. May never be able to bear children, my friends because of this! My brother was monitoring this area for a while, and he said it was hysterical to see the racers coming in at a clip and see their bottles get launched from their cages like projectiles. They started a little monument on the side of the course. As I came (running!) with my bike to the transition area, many of my friends where there yelling, and so was I!! Felt great and had gained a couple of minutes on my training parter (whom I love), but she is ALWAYS faster than me! Only other thing of note... lost car key on bike route. Tried not to worry about it overmuch as their was little too be done. Hydration was not too bad, but I still need to be more careful about regular intake. During the course of the ride I consumed a bit less than 2 bottles of drink (2 scoops Accelerade, 1.5 scoops Sustained Energy). 5 gels (I believe).

Well... train a heck of a lot more. I tell you, my trainer is going to get a big workout this winter. I had started out the season training on it 2-3 times a week, but a friend sent me this article about how hard trainers are on your wheels and that you should have a wheel just for your trainer. Well, I couldn't afford one, and didn't want to ruin my wheel, so I stopped using it. But in my busy life, it is hard to get out on the bike as often as I'd like.

This transition was fast for me, and was hastened by my cheering fan club, who made me want to do well even more! But, unfortunately I was unprepared for what this separate transition would be like. We had set up the t2 the night before with our running bags, etc. But everybody has the same exact bag that you do, and it was almost impossible to find anything. So excited I ran off while still wearing my bike gloves. Flung them off as I exited my row. Luckily found them later.

Some sort of identification would be helpful. I couldn't find my fuel belt on Saturday, so decided to do without. So I had a running top with the number pinned on that I pulled on as I was running out the transition area. Though not ideal it was fine

Obviously, a nightmare. It was so difficult, and I knew that it would be. The first 4 miles, I mostly ran, but at best my running pace is 11 min. miles. But I had tweaked my ankle on the bike and was suffering even before I began. The hip pain was prevelant again, and ultimately, I was ill-prepared to run after the bike leg. Part way through mile 4, I had to walk for about a mile and a quarter, but my walk was slow. I did a half walk, half run for another 2 miles. Got a second wind (wait... did I have a first one???) around mile 8. From their to mile 10.5 I ran about 3/4. My body was falling apart at that point and I was sort of surprised that they were obeying my mind's demand to keep going. But they did. Just before mile 12 the cutoff time for the race had passed. But I was determined to finish, and not to finish as if I wasn't racing, so I began to run again. My brother was coming toward me and he ran the rest of the way in with me, with a couple of little walking breaks. He and the rest of my family and training partner (who passed me at mile 5 on the run) joined me to cross the finish line together. It was a great, great moment.

Again, train. Though I am pretty fit, I am still VERY overweight. So I'm still working on the poundage, but excited about the growing fitness level. Of course I could have trained more, but I'm glad I didn't opt out, even though I wasn't trained enough. It was a proud, proud moment for me.

At this point my ankle hurt so badly, that I couldn't do anything. Iced it on a big block that they provide, while I drank about 30 oz. of water. Laughed and talked with my support team.


All of the above. But despite this, I went into the race knowing it was unlikely that I'd finish under the time limit. It was a difficult decision to go forward, but it felt great to do this race without using anyones measuring stick but my own. To have finished and know that I didn't give up or make excuses makes this race feel like the best of successes. I'm eager to do it again next year and be at the front of the BOPs!! Or maybe the back of the MOPs? Either way!


Come out to California and do the Vineman!! Great race, beautiful venues, fun times... and I'll be there!! (What an incentive!)