I was feeling good about the swim for the first little bit. The water was COLD. The wet suit did it's job though. As I rounded the first bouy I caught some water in my mouth and nose and it was so cold it caught me off guard. I panicked, I freaked, I spazzed. I lost my cool. And the swim was downhill from there. At that point I just kept telling my self "Just get out of the water. JUST.get.out.of.the.water". My goggles then fogged up and I lost sight of the beach so I ended up doing a breast stroke with out going under to finish the swim. I saw one lady swim perpendicular in front of me and told her she was going the wrong way!! I did manage to swim straight and I was glad for that. When I got out of the water I couldn't feel my toes. And actually didn't start to feel them until the race was over. I saw a few people get wave their hands and get plucked out of the water. I'm just glad I finished the swim.

When I caught water in my nose I wish I would have just stopped and treaded water until I regrouped my senses. I need more OWS swim practice as well. I'm making it a goal to fit in one OWS a week during the summer. I don't want to panic again during a swim. It really hindered my performance.

Slow T1. I was a little disoriented from the swim. Next time I'll do better

Not take so much time drying off. I'll dry off well enough on the bike

I absolutely LOVE the bike ride. I had a fantastic time on this course. It was such a beautiful day and such a scenic ride. I LOVE hills. Because what goes up must go down and I love the speed on a bike. I just had a fantastic time on this ride and could have kept going. What a fun ride. My times are a bit slow but I was riding my mountain bike with slicks. So considering what equipment I had I think I did really well.

Nothing! Maybe get a new bike. But that will come.

Good T2. My friend was able to talk to me while I was racking my bike.

Nothing.

Nice run. I could have pushed a little more but I think the altitude got to me. I was tired and doubting my decision to race in a triathlon at this point! The weather was perfect though so I didn't get too hot

Try to push a little harder

Ate some fruit, drank some water, stretched a little.


The altitude, my equipment, the water temperature, and lack of experience in open water.


This was a fantastic race. I really don't have anything to compare it too but it was a really fun race. Everyone was super nice. The food was FANTASTIC. They fed my family the night before the race and then had great after race food. I am looking forward to doing this race next year--but at the Olympic distance

I finished though! When I was on the run I was thinking I would never do this again! But as soon as I finished I knew I was already looking forward to the next race. I had SO MUCH FUN!

I have a ton of pictures. I'll create an album when I get home. I can't find the link for the pictures that they took during the race.