I got my heart rate up in the beginning and couldn't get it back down. I had been warned that I would do this in my first race, but I figured I am usually pretty good at keeping a cool head. I was wrong. I freaked and forgot everything I had learned in my few short months of swimming, and I am embarassed to admit it, but I think I even dog-paddled a few strokes.

Practice more open water swimming in a wetsuit and practice race starts every chance I get until my next race in five weeks. I hope to build confidence as a swimmer and I think that will come with time. I didn't put my face in the water without holding my nose until a few months ago and I think I need to remind myself to have reasonable expectations for the swim part.

I am not sure what my transition time is due to the timing chip mishap, but it felt smooth. Special thanks to my experienced friend Cathy M. who helped me set up my transition area and gave me the last minute advice. I couldn't have done it without her.

I actually had fun on the bike. I was able to pass a lot of people and move from the back of the pack to about the middle. I just told myself to get over the bad swim and do what I do best...bike my keester off!

Well maybe I biked with a bit too much enthusiasm. I should have saved some for the run...but man were those rollers fun!

I aimed to do this transition in under a minute. So I just made my goal

I didn't realize how hot the day had become and should have hydrated more for the run.

I should have hydrated more and saved some energy for the run.

I should have saved some for the run and taken time to hydrate first.

My friends were waiting for me at the finish line cheering me on. It didn't matter that I was much slower than I'd planned, I finished and it feels great!


Mostly bad pacing. I got off track with my panic in the swim and then tried to over-compensate in the bike, leaving no energy for the run.


They ran out of T-shirts before the people doing the give it a tri were allowed to sign in. So they gave out plain HSBC shirts instead. For a lot of people doing the tri- a- tri it was their first ever triathlon and it would have been nice to have the real shirt to remember the event.