Swims conditions today were terrible. I really felt sorry for silver_streak cause he would have been in the first or second wave. Most of the guys in the first two waves spent most of the swim going backwards. Today was the first time I've ever seen a rubber ducky boat used to rescue people. The oldest competator of the day was sent 300m backwards from the actual swim course the current was so strong.

When our wave went, I was just trying to make it to the buoy and then immeadiatley back to shore... that way I could run along the shore and go faster. After 50m I was thankful I wasn't going BACKWARDS! I employed a new stratergy today - Swim like I was using the pull buoy. I hardly kicked. I used my arms. I;ve proven time and time again in squad that I am totally unco-ordinated. I swim faster using only my arms than as if I was swimming true freestyle.

The current was still strong. Coming round the buoy, I got tangled, and then another woman got pushed into me due to the current. But I made it to shore... Mid pack... Although I couldn't see many "H" on legs...

Under these conditions I don't think I could have done anything differently or better!

Time included partially with swim leg and partially with bike leg

I'm working on the flying leap... Still haven't mastered it yet.

Onto the bike and with the tailwind heading out onto the course I quickly got up to speed and started passing people. round the first hot dog and we were into the head wind. THIS is where my aerobars made their money today. I passed the most people going into the headwind and I was still only really doing 27kph at the most. halfway round the first technical lap I stuffed up. Rounded a corner and got back into aero, looked up and there's an SES guy telling people to go to the right... DAMN!!!

Took a wrong turn and had to do an emergency hot dog. SWORE the rest of that lap. The adrenalin was pumping and after ach corner I was up out of the saddle. I kept pedalling because I Was really REALLY worried because I didn't see many H women on the remaining lap... Where the hell were they?? I should be passing them all by now?

Not make any stupid navigation mistakes.

Got back into transition. Sarah was in the teams area and cheered me on. I ran back to my rack. There were TWO bikes in my age group area... TWO. It dawned on me on me that I was in third place. I conducted my fastest transition EVER and blasted out onto the run.

Nothing. I was fast today!

Knowing I was in third place I KNEW I had to really push it on the run. My pace was good and I was overtaking men... WOW! I never overtake guys on a run. What's going on there???

I had to keep this 3rd place spot. I kept looking for the two Hs I knew were in front of me... I couldn't see any!!! I wasn't expecting too... I figured I be a bit far back. But any female running in the other direction I turned my head to look at the letter if I could...

500m before the end I was PASSED by a H. I desperatley tried to hang on... swore as I lost breath and tasted bile. I saw her finish. Then I crossed the line. Quite happy with a PB of 55:31... also happy with 4th place.

Maybe try to push more to hang on when people pass me. The run is my limitting factor and I did the best that I could.

Once I stood still for a few minutes I started to feel dizzy. I felt drunk and stumbled into the recovery area. Endura, bananas... Went to the car and got changed. Felt much better. Laid under a tree and watched the open guys and girls race. Ate three zooper doopers to keep cool (haven't had them since high school!)

Transition opened. I was going to get my bike and go home. When I realised that one of the bikes I'd been counting in my age group, belonged to someone in the J category.... It dawned on me... I'VE COME THIRD!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!

So I stuck around... Nervous... VERY nervous... What if I didn't get it? am I setting myself up for a fall?

Sticking around was worth it... cept for the announcer calling me an Argentinian. O_o? How the hell did he get that?


The current, The stupid worng turn and my running ability.


PB time, a piece of pottery and great weather! IT was a great race today... It's almost unbelievable that I DIDN'T enjoy the race last time. This time it was fabulous!