So I think the course was long. It was slow for everyone and the current/ chop/ waves were not that bad. I hardly had to work, could hardly move until the first bouy. It was just a mele. After that it thinned out, but I was able to hitch a ride for a while on some good feet. Felt like I swam strong, but was a little disappointed at the time. Afterwards, I realized that everyone was slow.

Go faster :)

Took me a while to get my suit into the bag and to get everything on with such a crowded, narrow area, but I think I was the fastest T1 in my AG anyway.

place the bag open and ready to shove the suit in.

Felt like the bike was slow, but I didn't feel like I had the legs to push it too much. Don't know why, but just didn't seem there. Not a BAD bike, just not stellar.

go out a little slower and push later.

A little disorienting since I didn't know where my rack would be, but was HAPPY to see that there weren't many bikes in my area (which was my AG). coming out with another girl in my AG I was told she was in 5th.

Go faster.

Holy FREAKING hot!!!!!! I have never experienced this before, but it was HOTTER than hot and humid. So I took as much ice and sponges and cold water and whatever else I could at every aid station. Anyway, this was fun. I went out first 4 miles at MY pace - 8 min pace. Then I got hot and sluggish and thought it was over. THANKFULLY I found a little bit of confidence and gutted it out. Honestly I think this was the hardest I have ever worked to keep my shit together on a tri. The last 3 miles I got back to pace, but it SUCKED. I just kept telling myself that "this is for Clearwater" (I was pretty sure at that point that Kona was out)

Not much. I did everything I could!

Walk, sit, almost pass out... Wait for Chris and walk around more.


the heat, the wind.


This was a great race!! My only complaint was that the run aid stations were under-manned. They could have had fewer stations, but had more volunteers. A few times, I came to an aid station and they had no water or gatorade poured, or no ice out. No big deal because everything else was GREAT!