This swim was a full minute slower than last year. I felt good going out but then I got hot on the way back and my stomach was cramping. It's little early in the season for 89 degree water!

Throw an ice block in the lake. ;)

Long uphill run from the water to the transition area.

Run faster.

Felt good getting up to speed on the bike. But at about mile 4 I was making a right hand turn and the bike just slipped out from under me. CRASH! I skidded across the pavement on my right side. I'm lying there in the middle of the street when I see the guy right behind me coming straight at me. My first thought was "oh crap, he's going to hit me!". My second thought was "oh crap, I've ruined his race too!" Luckily, his bike handling skills are better than mine and he avoided the accident. ;) So, I gathered myself up and moved out of the road. I assessed the damage to myself and my bike. My bike looked okay. I was able to locate and re-install the bar-end that had come out. As for me, I had some pretty good road rash on my elbow, hip and butt. The volunteers asked if I needed the MEDIC but I declined and decided to ride on. It took a while to get back up to speed but once I did, I just gritted my teeth and pedaled on.

Even with the wreck, I was still 30 seconds faster than last year. :)



Not wreck. Drink more and take a gel.

This was a really slow transition. I was in a lot of pain and I had a hard time bending over to get my shoes on.

Not wreck.

This was a tough run. I was in a lot of pain and I had a really hard time mentally. At one point, I actually stepped off course and started walking back to the transition area. But then I thought about how I had gotten up at 4:30 and left my kids with my mom so i could race. So i just HTFU and kept going. Not a bad time considering all the walking I did.

I need to work on the mental part of my run. I've become so accustomed to bombing the run that I psych myself out.

Straight to the MEDIC tent for attention. Unfortunately, they weren't there but Heather (countregirl) was at the QCTC tent and did a wonderful job as my surrogate mom/medic. ;) Thanks Heather!


Overall, I'm pretty happy with this race. I'm still not sure what happened on the bike. I really don't believe I was cornering too aggressively. Gravel, maybe? Who knows? Anyway, to wreck and still podium. I'm happy (but very sore). :)