Oh sigh. Because of lack of warm up, could not get good breathing. Just talked myself through it: 'slow, easy strokes, don't rush, don't worry about anyone else'. Realized that I was not breathing out in the water. Took until around the second buoy (~halfway) before I really felt like I had control. Did ok on the second half with breathing. BUT: I am recognizing what I am doing wrong (not breathing out), am able to control my thoughts and emotions, and eventually finish ok. AND, I drifted way less than the lass OWS I did, and I felt as though I did really well with sighting. Definitely need more OW practice, but I am able to take the positives from this.

Warm up better and more practice.

Helped another racer with her wetsuit--more on her later. Was just out of transition when I realized that I wasn't wearing my glasses, so back I went. Then my watch went on the fritz and I had to restart it.

Nothing really.

Happy with my bike. Wanted to keep my HR under control and I feel as though I did that. I was very happy with my cadence and gear changes. I think I could have gone harder, but still figuring out what my body is willing to do! I did feel as though my hip flexors or hamstrings were thinking about cramping up, but all was fine.

Some fun on the bike: at one point I lifted my head just as I tree reached it's branch out, and I smacked my head. Luckily it was a very small tree and I was wearing a helmet :). Got passed by a few guys on their their zippy bikes and helmets and all of them said something encouraging--I love this about this sport. Worried, as usual, the whole time about flatting. I know I can deal with it, but I worry still...

I took two bottles on the ride, 1 with a serving/package of Perpetuem, 1 plain water--total of about 1.3 litres. Wanted to be finished the Perpetuem bottle (600ml) by km 35 and did. Drank about 3/4 of plain water bottle (about 550ml). No GI issues, this seems to be working well for me.

Nothing, wanted to practice nutrition and pacing and both went well.

No troubles

Nice gravel trail around the lake. No where near the advertised 6.5 miles! Started out feeling like I was super slow, checked my watch, and saw I was pretty much where I wanted to be. Weird how that works. Kept pretty much the same pace all the way, which is good. There were 2 different out/back points and again saw the woman that I helped in T1.

Maybe push a little more? Maybe not. Overall happy.

Some stretching, had a few snacks. I was packing up as the woman I have mentioned came into transition. She asked me how my race went, I told her, asked her the same. We chatted for a few minutes, talking about how it is nice to have someone there to cheer you on, when she told me that this was her first Tri since her father died last year mountain biking in the area. She has been training for IMLP, which she is dedicating to her father. He did see her race IMCdA just before he died. She now lived in California, but was back in her hometown for a cousin's graduation. I got chills as she talked about how she felt connected with her dad on this race, and how she felt like he was out there with her. What an inspirational story!
Had to ride back to the agility trial, so got another 15km in on my June Challenge :)


Just pushing harder. First Oly, wasn't sure what to expect. I think I could push a bit more. I am learning each time I race, which is all I want. Overall I am happy with this effort; I had some goals and I achieved them. Now, about that OWS practice......


Disappointed that both the swim and the run were quite a bit shorter than they were meant to be. It was a sanctioned event, so surprising.