Swimming against the current was tough. I felt like it was taking forever. I tried to increase the stroke rate going against the current so that I could fight against the current a bit more. I got caught up in a few swimmers doing breast stroke and elementary backstroke (really? elementary backstroke? I didn't think anyone does that) and got kicked pretty hard in the left hand. I think the distance to the first buoy was the longest.

Once I finally rounded the buoy (and got a little caught up in it), it went so much faster. I was trying to glide and work with the current. It felt like I made it back to the shore in no time at all (maybe five minutes compared to the hour it felt like it took to get to the buoy).

I didn't have problems with panicking during this swim like I did during the Naylor's Beach Olympic tri last year (my first OWS). I felt more comfortable and I did a lot better with sighting and drafting. Here, I was able to do some sighting by looking at the shore so I had to look forward a lot less often. Still, I know that I need more practice swimming against the current.

My arms were pretty tired getting out, but that wasn't really a problem. Got up and climbed the stairs to cross the mat and start T1 time.

More practice swimming in the river with the current.

Long run from the swim exit to T1. I stashed a pair of flip flops at the swim exit and I'm really glad that I did. The trail back was full of gravel and sticks. Tried to run as much as possible while taking off the cap and goggles - I did forget that I could do that for a minute. Had lots of people from the tri club cheering me on, which was really nice.

Got back to transition and managed to put on socks while I was standing up. Then I got on my gloves, helmet, and glasses and headed out on the bike.

Not wear socks.

Got out of transition running with the bike. Got on and started trying to clip in. I was having a hard time with that - maybe because I was wearing the old shoes without buckles and the cleats are a little worn out. Of course, the tri club was there to take pictures right at that point. Figures. ;)

I started off a little slow. My legs were kind of sore, but I was feeling pretty confident. I tried to keep my cadence high, but the sensors weren't in the right place on my bike, so I had no idea what my speed or cadence actually were. I decided to just go for it. I started off getting passed a lot, but after about 5 minutes I felt like I was getting in a rhythm. The first section of the course was mostly downhill, although there was one gradual climb up over the interstate. That went okay. I think it was 20 minutes before I saw anyone going in the other direction. Once I turned, the course got a lot hillier. I was really glad that I had done as much of the horribly hilly as I had. It was good practice. I felt like I was able to make up a lot of time on this section. A lot of the hills were rollers, so I focused on getting enough speed on the downhill to not have to pedal too much on the uphill. It worked pretty well. I finally got to the last climb before the turn around and I was really glad I had done the HHH. It was pretty steep, but I was confident I could do it as long as I kept pedaling. My legs were pretty sore, but I kept it going and made it up the hill. Finally got to turn around and cruise back down, which was a great place to rest. Lots of people walking up the hill.

I didn't see too many people going in the other direction on the way back, so I knew I was one of the last people. Oh well. The way back was fairly uneventful, although it was about 10 minutes faster. I think I had a better idea of where the course was and where the bigger hills were, which helped a lot.

Make sure sensors are working. I had no idea how fast i was going or how far I had gone, which made it tough to pace myself.

Ride the course ahead of time.

I had a little trouble racking my bike, but not too much. It was a little crowded when I got back as most of the people were already out on the run. Took of my helmet and glasses, changed shoes while standing up, and grabbed my hat and race number.

Get Yankz for the running shoes.

Here's where my race fell apart. I got off the bike and started running. About 5 minutes in, my calves and achilles started locking up and were incredibly sore. I tried to keep going, but it was not happening. I stopped a few times to stretch at some benches along the trail. I think I walked most of the first mile to mile and a half. The volunteers along the trail were really great and motivating and encouraged me to run, but I was in a lot of pain. Around mile 1.5, the course went off the trails and on to pavement. Suddenly, my body remembered that it does indeed know how to run. The trails were really not happening for me, but this worked. Run about 0.75 miles on the pavement and then headed back to the trail. It felt better, but I knew I was really slow and way behind. About 0.25 miles from the end, my right foot came off the trail and the ankle twisted. There was a volunteer nearby and she asked if I would be okay to finish. There was no way I was stopping even if I had to hobble all the way back. I walked a bit, but it wasn't all that sore. Finally made it back and finished. I was so glad to be done.

More training (especially trail running). More bricks.

Walked around and had some more to eat. Was finally able to go to the bathroom!


I spent most of my May and June focused on biking and did hardly any running or swimming. That really hurt me on the course.


Lots of great volunteers to help. There was a little bit of confusion at the beginning