Standing around waiting for the start...some people said it was cold, while others said it was warm, so I just hoped for the best. Since the water was 74 degrees, wetsuits were allowed, but of course, I don't have one. We jumped off the dock and my body immediately tensed up, but then relaxed. The water actually felt good during the swim. When the horn went off, I immediately felt like the wave left me, but I just stayed calm and did my thing. Before I knew it I was passing lots of green caps (the men 39 and under that started 3 minutes before us), so that made me feel good. I felt comfortable on this swim and actually enjoyed it. Looking at the results, I was actually in the top half of my division to come out of the water, which I think is just awesome! Perhpas the course was a little long because the times seem pretty slow, even for me.

Not too much, it's just the same old thing: work on technique, get in the pool more than twice before the race.

Once again, a fault-free transition. I had the fastest T1 time in my group. One advantage was that I didn't have to take a wetsuit off, but I would say that 95% of the girls didn't have a wetsuit either.

Nada

Coming out from the swim I was freezing! But a little Texas son and the spinning of the legs goes a long way. I quickly warmed up, but my legs never really wanted to go. My legs were screaming at me because of the day before. Every hill felt so slow, but somehow I kept passing people. The downhills really amazed me because I would pass even more people. To me the downhills are the freebies, and I'm going to take every advantage I can get.

Not race the day before (see East Texas Hills Classic race report), especially a race that includes climbing the beast twice.

2nd out of my group on T2, no problems

nothing

Running out of transition my feet were numb. I guess I didn't warm up quite as much as I thought. The hills felt horrible, I was so tight. I was passed by a couple guys, but I also passed a couple guys. The miles went by fast. The weather was absolutely perfect, calm, sunny, and probably around 75 degrees by the time I hit the run.

How many times do I have to tell myself this: GET OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE...it's like I'm scared of a little pain.

Nothing. I sat around a little bit, but I quickly became chilled in my wet clothes so I decided to change and wait for the awards. I ate a couple of bananas and a bagel bite. Waited for a couple of guys on the team to finish the olympic distance.


The race the day before. Generally, I feel okay racing two days in a row, but I think I really pushed myself on the hills the day before and my legs were not happy about that. Also, I need more sleep...I was yawning before the swim start. Perhaps I need to stop pulling these wonder woman acts and trying to do every race, and hanging out with everyone.


This was a good race. I was a little nervous when I was picking up my packet and I overheard two volunteers talking: "So what is a triathlon?" "It's a race where they run, and bike, and swim." "What's the order?" I think the swim is first, and then maybe the run." Then, when I was picking up my packet a guy said, "Look, she's got one of those yellow bracelet things too." It was humorous, but there were so many volunteers and they were given such a specific task that things ran smoothly. They did their homework. It was nice recieving a niftly little tote bag, t-shirt, and finishers medal, which I guess makes up for the poor after food choices. I would definitely do this race again (although I'll do the olympic next time).