Even though the time is sub par, it was a good swim for me. I didn't freak out at the start of the race which I normally do. I started the second tier back and waited about 5 seconds after the gun went off. I quickly found an open line inbetween the people in front of me who couldn't swim really well and just took it. I didnt find anyone to draft until we rounded the 3rd corner which only left about 100 yards to go so drafting is something I will need to work on.

Maybe just suck it up and start up front and just keep working on my swim.

T1 went ok, it seemed like forever to put my shoes on. At some point this season (most likely towards the end) I will start practicing the flying mount.

Not much

I headed out of transiton on a mission. Before this race I decided since it was flat and fast for both the bike and run, I wnated to hammer both and see what I really had in me. Because of the stomach bug I acquired the day before, as soon as I got on the bike I knew I was in trouble. About 2 miles into it and a mile outside the park my uncrustable and gatorade decided it didn't want to be in my stomach anymore. I puked but kept riding. I didn't feel like it was killing me so I just kept going hard. I passed a ton of riders that were in my age group and started picking of people who were in the 1st wave. After about 10 miles I started to fade and felt pretty dehydrated. I kept taking in water and finally around mile 11 or 12 all of that came up as well. Although my bike was fast I knew I was going to be in for a world of trouble on the run. I was still happy to pull off the 14th fastest bike split.

Not get sick

took down some water and a gu. Pretty good transiton although I knew the run was going to be difficult for me.

Nothing.

Complete melt down! I left transition and comfortably made it about a 1/2 mile and then I started to fade FAST! I knew I was dehydrated and just hoped I could hold on to finish without walking. After the 1st mile I had to stop on the side of the course and throw up the water and gu. I walked for about 30 seconds and started running at my slow pace again. I was passed by two runners who tried to give me some encouragement. At the turn around loop I noticed there were some people who made ground up on me and I decided to just go for broke and try to make it at a faster pace. I started to actually feel better when I picked the pace up. Was passed by one more guy who was a guy from the 1st wave who I passed on the bike. I knew I had three minutes on him so I decided it wasn't worth trying to stick with, there was only a 1/4 mile left. My goal pace was between a 6:15 and 6:20 mile. Considering the circumstances, I will take the 7:01 minute miles (although they felt like 10 minute miles)!

again, not be sick.

I crossed the finish with my goal time, just not with my goal splits. My swim was slow, my bike was extremely fast, and my run was a melt down. I walked to transition to get a water bottle. Drank the water and walked around. Went to the finish line after that to wait for Taylor to finish off her race. After she finished we went to the post race food area and I got an orange to try to settle my stomach. I dry heaved a bit but didn't throw up again.


Just being sick.


Despite me being sick, I managed to finish 3rd in my age group and was a minute and a half from 2nd and four minutes from 1st. It gives me something to work on for next year and it's a good way to guage my progress every year. I bettered my time by over seven minutes this year compared to last which is a pretty good accomplishment for a short sprint race. I am thinking next year I will be able to give 1st or 2nd in my AG a good shot. I ended up 29th overall which is also really well. The field was pretty experienced and I felt like I could hang with the big boys. Again, between my better training and eating habits, the amazing work my coach has done for me (elitetriathlontraining.com) and the support from friends and family, I am starting to get a lot better. My friend Taylor did amazing as well with a 1:18:13 time, good enough for 1st in her age group and 76 overall! She is doing great in her first triathlon season and her first two races she has finished 2nd and 1st in her age group. I see her going really far in this sport!