I really like the tt start. It was 2 at a time, so very easy to get going. I started off great, passed a couple people. By the time I got to the first buoy, I couldn't see a thing! The fog was so thick, I couldn't see more than one person in front of me, let alone where the next buoy was. All I could think was how bad I felt for those who are wary of OWS. I thought if I can't see the boats, surely the boats can't see me. Then my watch stopped working. So I had no idea where I was, or even how long I'd been swimming. I lost all sense of how far I had to go. This hurt me when it came to pacing. I kind of took it easy because the last thing I wanted to do was to be struggling when I couldn't see land. So my time turned out a little slower than normal.

Nothing I could do really. Maybe get a new watch.

This time was actually pretty average in comparison. The mat for the swim was right out of the water, so the entire run to transition was in T1 time.

Nothing

The bike course wasn't too bad. It was hilly, but nothing ridiculous. I didn't start my Garmin beforehand so I just left in transition for the run. It probably hurt me that I had no idea how long I was taking. But given all my circumstances lately, I probably wouldn't have pushed much harder. I knew the run was going to be tough, so I didn't want to strain too much. I think I pushed just enough. I never did pass one person though. It's so different being in a coed championship race. The competition is much more fierce.

Get a new bike computer. Even though I don't use it daily, I like it for races so I don't worry about the garmin.

Dropped my race belt running out, otherwise would have been close to 1:00.

Nothing

I heard before the race that the run was entirely inside the park. I though "well that's going to be odd". Every road/path inside the park went out and back on. It was quite annoying. Not to mention that this was the hilliest thing I've ever ran in my life! I knew it was a pretty tough course, but geez. There were a couple points I had to walk, but I didn't even feel to bad doing it because everyone around me was as well. I think walking was just as fast as my running on some of those hills. This whole run was strangely reminiscent of my first sprint. The feeling of being so tired of running, feeling like everyone was passing me, like I was going to be dead last...all came rushing back. I just wanted to cry. But I remembered that first race and knew that this is just the beginning. That was my first sprint, this was my first Oly. It will, for sure, not be my last. So I can only get better from here, just like I have in the sprints. When I finally crossed the finish line after 3 and a half hours, I felt...well a lot of things. Pure happiness, accomplishment, loneliness that no one was there cheering for me, strength for doing all of this alone, comradery of those who congratulated me that I didn't even know, sadness that my tri season is over, excitement for what next yeat holds for me.

Train more!!!!!!!

Oh yea, and hills!

Hopefully after all the running I'll be doing over the winter, I'll have a better base for next season.

Walked around a lot and actually got some food there. Gotta love the black long sleeve shirt when it's 90 degrees out.


Work, life, etc.


I didn't like the stupid $3 fee for the park. That's really the last thing I want to have to think about at 3am when I'm leaving for a race. Good volunteers. Saw lots of NAMC peeps - thanks for all your support! I didn't really care for the loops upon loops around the park. Other than that, good race, good people. I managed to have a great time out there even given my pain. :-)