The first 50-100 meters were awful. I started out too fast and had trouble catching my breath (plus I was getting knocked around a bit). I actually asked myself why I was doing this and how I ever thought I could do IMFL in 2009. But then I slowed down and caught my breath. Once I found a good pace, I felt much better. On the upside, I never stopped swimming and I only did freestyle (never resorted to backstroke or breast). The only problem I had after the too fast start was sighting. I would be going along just fine and then I would look up and be off course and have to swim back. I did this twice! When I reached the ladder, I glanced at my watch and saw 18 minutes (we still had a fairly long run back to transition to do). I was a bit disappointed in my time. However, I think it would have been much better if I had sighted better and stayed on course.

Not start out so fast. Work on sighting!

This transition went fairly smoothly. I had no trouble getting my wetsuit off. The only thing that slowed me down was the lady that was sitting down between the racks blocking my way!

Maybe learn to jump on the bike and have the shoes on the bike (instead of putting them on in the transition area and running in them).

I was hoping to make up a little time on the bike, so I was pushing the pace as hard as I could. Most of the bike went fine. But there are a couple of miles of rough road on the course. That section would slow me down everytime (everytime I hit one of the cracks in the road, I thought my bike was going to fall apart)! I was able to pass a lot of people on the bike - so that made me feel better.

I was a little disappointed in my overall time, but considering how little quality biking I have done since my surgeries I think I did alright.

With my surgeries, tax season and then crash training for Boston - I don't think it is realistic to say I could have done anything different. I just didn't have time to work on my bike. But I know that I need to work on this for my next race.

This transition went alright. I had a little trouble running with my bike after I got off of it. My legs just didn't want to work right! Once I racked my bike, the rest went smoothly. I didn't wear socks and my running shoes had speed laces. So I just pulled off my bike shoes and slipped on my running shoes. I pulled off my helmet and put on my Nike cap. Grabbed my race number and took off.

Learn to jump off the bike and leave my shoes on the bike!

It was hot by the time we started to run! I also think I had pushed too hard on the bike. My pace on the bike wasn't great, but it was harder than I should have been going considering my bike training the last few months. This really hurt my run. I also wish I had been wearing my Garmin. I had no idea how fast (or slow) I was running. It has been a long time since I have run a 5k and I just couldn't remember what 5k pace felt like (at least not with tired bike legs). I was going to use the mile markers to help me determine if I was on pace, but I missed the first one. By the time I saw the 2 mile marker, I knew I was running too slowly but it was too late to do much - so I just kept going. I had felt like I was running faster than I was (but that was probably due to the heat and my legs being tired from the bike). I did manage to pass 2 people in my age group on the run though (and several others).

Have a better idea of whether I am running the right pace or not!

After I crossed the finish line, I met up with my family. Then we walked around a bit. I got a bottle of water, a banana, and a couple of cheese crackers and walked around a little more.


Not enough training for this event.