The water for the practice swim yesterday took my breath away. Today it was cold enough outside it felt fine! I positioned myself all the way to the right and didn't have too much traffic. I started off slow so as to not run into people's feet. A couple times I got hit and it stopped me for a second. Soon everyone was outta my way Heh! Then I and another girl couldn't stay out of each other's way for a while, that was frustrating! Anytime I started feeling outta breath I slowed down a bit, tried to stick with how I trained. At nearly the half-way point the wave that started 5 min after us caught up to me - tossed me around a bit and moved on. I was a little panicy at this point - felt like I'd never get done. After rounding the half-way bouy I settled back into a rythem of sorts. My navigation was much better on this half - I think the direction of the waves made it easier. Towards the end a few of the next next wave caught up to me as well. The swim felt REALLY long but my pace is better than in the pool - I know that is mostly due to the wetsuit. But still I'm surprised that the waves / people didn't hurt my time more.

Not stop so often just because someone was next to me or right in front of me - to wait for them to move! I really need to start lifting weights regularly to hopefully help my speed! Get more pool time, I took a long break to help my shoulder feel better and my times are slower than they were in Dec.

The transition time included a fairly long run on sharp pebbles for a good portion. I was freezing when I got to transition and took my time (obviously). Took a minute to get my bearings. Took my suit off, took time to try and warm my feet before putting socks on. Got shoes on, helmet, sunglasses, gloves, jersey + long sleeve jersey. Wasn't sure how much to wear - it was very windy, but I didn't want to get hot. I also hadn't decided on nutrition before hand - decided in T1.

Pick my nutrition ahead of time. Not have to rummage through my bag!

This was a good ride for me. I was moving much faster than typical, especially in the wind and on hills. For the first hour my bike felt steady and shoulders didn't hurt. For the second hour my shoulders started to hurt and bike steering felt shaky. The race mechanic helped assemble my bike on Sat and thought I had a problem with some bearings - he tightened it back up, but I think it feels loose again - MAYBE it's not me! Towards the end I couldn't reach for nutrition. Had 4 sport beans early on, then tried for 4 more later, dropped 2, felt shaky and stopped trying. I think I could have pushed a bit more - but didn't want to be shot for the run. My quads were burning quite a bit of the race! But were fine when I got off the bike. Wind was from NNW from 15MPH - by the run it was up to 23MPH. With gusts.

Have more nutrition during race. Push a bit harder. Maybe lift weights to strengthen my legs, since my speed was more dictated by them than by my HR.

Not sure why this was so slow. I ran in slowly - was kinda shaky! Racked my bike easily, shoes off (did try to warm feet for a few seconds - hate running with them numb!), running shoes on, gloves/helmet off, hat on. Took a pack of beans and a gel I didn't eat on the ride with me - ohh and grabbed wet wipes - headed out of the transition zone to the porta-potty. Had to go at the start of the bike - but it would have been way out of the way then.

Not sure?

I was following a man (58 y/o) who seemed to be good at pacing. It felt a little slow, but I hung with him. I was surprised at mile 1 to see we were keeping an 8:30 pace, same for mile 2. I believe my 5k time was around 27:10. I fell back from his pace around the 5k point - I never lost sight of him, but my pace suffered. I kept my HR around 153 the entire run. For nutrition, I had 1 pack of sport beans - 3 at a time, one mile apart. I had a couple drinks of accelerade at most aid stations. Didn't have the gel.

I feel like I could have pushed more - this was a race - why keep my HR at 153??? Being my first tri - I just was a afraid to run out of energy & that last mile did get a bit tough.

Ummmm no warmdown really. I immediately had an orange slice, water, and a piece of a bagel. I was freezing - went to transition and picked up my stuff & took it back to my room. Made a couple calls - went back to the finish line to hang out. Had a hamburger, potato salad, baked beans, and a Dr. Pepper. Sat with someone I met last night and waited for his friend to come in from the half. Watched all of the final athletes from the half come in and cheered them on - was cool to see the determination and visualize myself crossing that line in a couple months!


Training time I think - I need to spend more time in the pool and MUCH more time on my bike. I've only had it a few weeks and am not used to it. Luckily my training days have been cold and windy or I woulda been way outta sorts today. I got in just enough training to be able to shift fairly well, but still feel swervy sometimes. I need to learn to ride aero too.

All-in-all I'm very happy with my performance. This was my first tri - I didn't even know if I was up to finishing an OLY. This was my first OWS (other than practice yesterday). This is my fastest swim time (other than the time I wore my wetsuit in my pool). This is right up there with my highest avg bike speed. I hit 30 mph - new record for me. I don't recall if I've ever done a sub-60 10k in training - but this is a good run time for me! Transitions I wasn't focusing on and it showed - that is the only thing I wish I would have done better at - could have moved up a place in my AG.


It's my first race - so all I have to compare to is what I've dreamt up :) I enjoyed the race and thought it was a great 1st experience. If anything, I was hoping for more post-race activities.