I was in the 1st timer F and athena wave - we were last. I seeded myself right up front on the bouy line - first time ever. It was pretty uneventful - contact doesn't bother me at all - as long as it doesn't hurt. There was plenty of contact almost all the way along the course. Cought the previous wave before the bouy and then some earlier waves on the way in. Sighted well and swam straight - or so I'd like to think. :)

Get faster

Got the second to worst rack spot - except for the girl next to me with the big balloon. I found my rack easy enough but it was right as you get in from the swim so I had to run ALL the way out w/ my bike. With @ 2500 racers for both sprint and olympic, it was a HUGE transition area!

Become a pro or elite so I can have a better rack spot. HA!

Being in the last wave was so much fun b/c I passed tons and tons of people and didn't get passed by anyone! I did pass 1 other athena pretty soon after the bike started but that was it. I was hoping she was the only one in front of me. It was a bit crowded in spots and some racers weren't sure of the "on your left" - some thought they were to go left. Didn't run anyone over and I actually was trying to corner better than usual which I did - passed at least 3 or 4 people on most corners. It was a crowded course the whole way!!

Push more. Passing others gave me a false sense of speed - I accomplished my goal of 20+mph. but I could've gone faster.

Note T1 comment about having to run a long, long time with the bike.
I did opt for socks this year - saving my left foot a huge blister.

Get a better rack spot, practice dismounting while moving.

The legs felt fine off the bike - I just told myself to go, go, go. Since I don't wear a watch, I had no idea what my splits were so far and I wanted to go 1:15. I was hot and it was getting pretty humid. Again, I was passing people from previous waves - which is nice. Got passed by a handful of guys and 2 girls the whole run. I started the race hungry - due to forgotten banana left on the counter - and now I was getting really hungry. I hadn't run since RI HIM 2 wks. ago b/c I sprained my ankle pretty bad 12 days ago. I was taking ankle inventory for a while and it felt fine. Added to the list of forgotten items was the aleve. Oh well. At the turnaround, I was beat. Hot, tired and hungry. It's so mental with me. If I run a 5K, the last mile is tough. If it's a 10K the last mile is tough. I have to figure out a way to just run the distance, whatever it is without playing all the mind games with myself towards the end.

More positive conversations in my head durning the run.

Got a water and FOOD! Then more water and soda. Called Mike and my parents after I saw my results. Walked around for a bit till the awards ceremony then went up to claim my award. Yippee!!!


My mind games.


It would be rated a 5 but the packet pick up the day before is a big pain in the neck. I live 1 1/2 hrs. away and to drive 3 hrs. 2 days in a row is kinda crummy. Last year there was remote packet p/u from some bike shops throughout the state. I vote for that again!