Last year I panicked in the water and DNF'ed. My goal was to stay off the boat and finish the race. Well, I finished the race. My rented suit felt fine in the store and I didn't have time to swim with it before hand. BIG mistake. It was too small in the shoulders and didn't allow me to breathe and stroke at all. I tried freestyle for a while, choked, tried breast stroke, choked, and wound up backstroking for EVER. Apparently, I was going in circles in the middle of the bay for quite sometime because the kayak guy finally said they'd have to reposition me since I was swimming nowhere. It wasn't too choppy this year - just some big swells that came out of nowhere for a few minutes. I was so frustrated and pissed that I wasn't able to complete the swim but determined to finish the race. The boat swept me up and I hopped on with a couple of other athletes. There were quite a bit of people getting swept past the swim exit and the support kayaks were busy. We waited for most everyone to get out of the water then the boat let us jump off about 200 yds. off shore. Not quite the swim I had expected, but at least I can bike now.
It was a cool swim - everyone always says to take a minute and float on your back and enjoy the view. I had plenty of time on my back and it was very cool to be inbetween Alcatraz and SF.

Try on the wetsuit in the pool first. That, and make sure my goggles form a seal around my face when my squid lid is on. They didn't and my goggles leaked like mad.

A long run to T1 - I had a jacket in my bag b/c last year it was so, so chilly. Decided I didn't need it so off came the suit and on went the sneaks. Jogged back to the transition and looked around for Mike but couldn't find him anywhere.

The bike was very hilly but even more beautiful. There were some spots where I was able to catch my breath from going up hill and from flying down the hills. Twice my chain popped off - on a hill but I was able to clip out in time and finally got it back on and was on my merry little way. The one REALLY steep section I knew about so I just dropped into my granny gear and zoomed (kind of) up it. Part of what made the bike tough were the sharp turns right after the decents and right before the ascents. It was hard to keep the speed up. I also stopped for some cytomax and to switch water bottles. That took longer than I thought - but I really wanted the cytomax at that point - back up past the Legion of Honor.

Push myself harder on the hills and bring more to drink.

Saw Mike quickly and told him about the dreaded swim. I certainly don't rush here and wanted to make sure I didn't forget anything.

I felt great off the bike and was looking forward to the run. At this point, Im going to finish so I took it easy going up the stairs and on the single track. It was easier and I conserved a lot of energy staying put rather than try and pass more people on a single track trail. I did pass a couple but really just followed along. The beach was tough - there was next to no hard pack to run on. The sand ladder was tough and funny - I was behind a couple of guys just taking our time holding on and plodding up from behind we hear ""On your left, being passed by a 64 yr. old woman!" and she flies up the middle of the steps like we're not moving. GOOD FOR HER! THe guys were so mortified it was comical. And I loved the guy in front of me 1/2 mile to the finish whip out his cell and call his wife almost in tears saying he's gonna finish in 5 minutes. Such a fun, challenging, beautiful race!

Trust my traianing more and go faster!

Found Mike, walked around for a bit and got a massage. Finally met up with Bill and walked back to the hotel. I wasn't even remotely hungry from all the water and cytomax but man, come 3pm I could've eaten a sea lion!!!
Finally headed down for a big burger and some beer around 4 and felt much better!


wetsuit, goggles, not trusting my training enough to allow me to go faster without bonking.


I love this race! Part of me would like to do it again to officially do the swim but I'm not 100% sure yet.