The swim started fine; I went right in the water and started swimming with the pack instantly. The woman behind me kept hitting me and popped up to apologize every time. The pack spread out pretty quickly and I had space to myself.

Partway to buoy #1, I started getting tossed around and taking in water. I can only breathe to my left, really. Switching up wasn't an option. I tried breaststroking to catch my breath, but I was barely moving at all.

When the wave behind me was about to catch up, I realized that I woudl totally lose it if I got dunked, so I swam to a rowboat and, um *hid* behind it until they were gone. After that, I took a really far line to avoid the later waves. I was hitting the chop at a better angle, so I was able to get air 9 times out of 10. After the turn, the chop wasn't in my face, so I was able to breathe fine. But I never got into a good rhythm. I really need to improve my swimming, no question.

Sighting was fine until the exit. I just couldn't find it for the longest time. Scoping it out beforehand would have fixed that.

Improve my swimming - I was just screwed.

I just kind of cruised this course. I probably could have gone a little faster, but I haven't ridden over 40 miles since Mooseman and wanted to pace myself. My equilibrium was way off and I was kind of twitchy (almost took out a volunteer at the bottle hand-off), but my legs felt great.

Had some entertainment as the Elites passed by. I saw a knot of three people that looked like a draft pack. Hilariously, they were actually having an argument (screaming!) about who "got" to pass who. Hee.

Pushed a little harder, but I did the right thing at the time.

My first 10 miles were great - I picked off a lot of people and just cruised. My knee went out like clockwork at mile 9-10. I managed to jog most of the rest of the way by running up the shoulder, reversing the slope I had been running on. I would have loved to know my split before it happened - I would guess that I was on track for a 2:20, which is my goal.

Nothing - the knee is better, but still not all the way there.

Sent a bunch of cupcakes to their maker, and got a massage from my sister (trained OT).


Poor swimming ability.


I am putting the kibosh on any more tris until I can breathe comfortably to both sides. Period. I have been lucky so far, and my luck ran out.