My days of swim freakouts seem like a lifetime ago. I was very relaxed going into this and was relaxed through out. I actually passed some people, which is crazy for me. Promised myself I would take the out pretty easy and push on the return. That is what I did. At turn buoy watch said about 16min (from what I coud read) I hit the beach at 28:16 (12 min return!) Second swim in a row where I was actually bummed it was over. Last year 31:28. This year 29:06. This may not look impressive (its not) but a PR pace for me for any race and a PR for me here by over 2 minutes.

Push from beginning , instead of just 1/2 the race.

Not great but a bit of improvement

I spend too much time go over everything in my head and just need to get out of there.

My bike had been a major disappointment for me this year and today was no different. Last year was 1:30:33 and this year was over 3 min slower at 1:33:58. Was a bit of wind out there. One positive: I was going back and forth with a guy. Every down hill, he would pass me, every uphill I would power ahead of him. I finally left him behind for good with about 3 miles to go. I guess those hills of the Kettle Moraine have helped a bit. I saw the aftermath of someone who took a corner too fast. Ouch! Had a bottle of perp and of water and did not take enough of either in. Got away with it today because of cool temps. Took two gels.

I have got a few ideas for the off-season...

Tried to move a bit faster than usual. Put on race belt and hat on as I was running out. Thanks to Pjgrande for 'encouraging me' to get my fanny moving.

move even faster

Two weeks ago at the Tri-ing for Children's Oly, I tanked on the run and finished in 57min. I was determined to not repeat that. I also realized that there was a chance I could meet or beat last year's time, dispite my sub-par bike performance. However I knew the only way that was going to happen was if I beat last year's run (52:23). After Tri-ing for Children, I did not have a lot of hope. However I felt pretty good and locked in to a pace between 8:20-8:30. I like the out and back and got to see my Donkey friends. That always helps keep the spirits up. Saw DeannaS, who encouraged me to 'catch the carrot', but was not able to catch that speedy girl. At about 4.5 miles I saw that I might be able to hit my goal, but I started to fade a bit. At about mile 5, a crazy man holding up a giant carrot appeared like a vision. It was Djdavey. I knew he got the carrot from my family which was great because it meant that they had made it and would see me finish. Dave provided some guidence and words of encouragement. He was not pacing me because I learned from Tripletmom, that you can't do that in a race. ;) Well this was enough for me to hold it together to the finish and hit and beat last year's run by two minutes. A major victory for me. My eight-year old daughter ran across the finish line with me, which has become a tradition at this race.

not much. pretty happy with this.

Catch my breath and then yak it up with my family and some of the Donks. Spotted Tripletmom hauling around her hardware. Right before we left there was a BbMoozer sighting. Nice finally see her.


I could write a book on this. However, this race is a PR over last year, which has been a rarity this year. Proud that I overcame a weak bike to PR (by a minute) this race.


Post run food was pathetic. Bananas and couple chunks of dry bagel was all there was.
I have done this race since it started 4 years ago. I always enjoy it and this year was no exception. Good time with my family, great friends and a PR to boot. What's not to like!