I started in the first line of women since last year I kept getting stuck behind the slower swimmers. This was a huge race for first timers, so I figured it would be cake. Not so- The first 25yds were shallow so as we started, i ran, dove, and started swimming right away but there were women right next to me running (and keeping up, which was unnerving!). It was mega washing machine and I was a bit thrown off. I was basically swimming with my head out of the water in order to keep and eye on everyone. Sighting was easy due to the bodies... but I struggled to get into a smooth, long rhythm because I was in fight mode! I realize that sighting every stroke was also affecting my breathing- I wasn't getting enough air. Soon enough, I was picking up guys who'd started first but couldn't swim. And then I'd reached the weeds and it was all over. Trixie was there to wave at me as I ran to my bike.

Swim my own race, scary legs and arms and feet be damned! I can do better than this. Oh, I still hate swimming in a wetsuit, can't wait till I don't need it.

I realized, while standing around at the start, that I'd forgotten breakfast Part B (part A had been at 5am in my kitchen, I'd planned to have a cliff bar in the car too). I was hungry on the swim so I grabbed a gu as I put my shoes, etc. on and this took time. I knew I couldn't handle it while on the bike though, so it couldn't be avoided. Otherwise, this was pretty good. Would be better sans wetsuit- it caught on my chip and then I had to fix that. The top 3 in my AG all did it in a minute something, so plenty of room to improve.

Remember to eat more before the race. Chop the ankles off my wetsuit?

I'm still scared of the bike leg, but this went really well! Just looking at the results- (the ranking columns are a little confusing as there are 4, can't figure out which goes to which) it appears that I ranked 4th in my AG! That blows my mind. The difference a new bike makes! So yeah- I cruised on my bike, wasn't sure how hard to go, but one of my teammates was in sight so I just stuck with her. I was a little irritated w/myself for passing back and forth with a woman and a man on hybrids... (the woman ended up taking 3rd in my AG !!) but I did finally get ahead of them. I even spent some time in my aero bars as the course had some really long/straight sections. The potholes were marked with orange & pink spray paint though and for awhile I could have sworn my bike was drawn to the paint markings. This seemed like an awesome new bike debut! (no unclipping problems, but I did almost fall over at the finish line trying to get my leg over the top bar...embarassing!). I had a blast though and remembered to thank the volunteers as I went around the corners. It was really, really fun!

Not fall over at the end. Remember breakfast. Learn to ride in aero. Not slow down quite as much on the turns?

This was in & out - no problems.

Nothing, just get faster!

This is 8 seconds off my stand alone 5k PR. I didn't remember to take splits with my watch, but had I known that I would have been shocked- I really had no idea how fast I was running. I felt really solid and really consistent. I was in a very good mood, still saying hi to everyone and joking with the other runners. Didn't bother with the water stops as I was almost done. At the turn around, the woman from the hybrid caught me and passed me but she was cruising and very quickly out of sight (she ran a 23:57 5k). I needed to put more space between us on the bike as our total time is only 29 seconds apart.

Basically, I had a blast.

Nothing.

Hung out with BTers and gorged on pizza & bananas! :)


A little panic on the swim and inexperience on the bike.


Smooth, well organized race and a very fun start to the season!! Wish I'd have known about it last year when I did my first!