Solid swim with better navigating this go round. However, I would like to have someone to draft off of to see what kind of difference it makes on my overall fatigue at the end of the swim. Ran into a few guys from the red wave and got kicked and elbowed in the head a few times but that is all to be expected. Arms felt really heavy with about 200m left to swim.

Need to build my upper body strength so that my arms don't feel so heavy at the end of the swim, this will help me keep up my turnover.

This transition was a little rocky. First of all my rack was towards the back of transition. So even though it was closer to the swim exit, it was far from the bike start. I hadn't even gotten my arms out of my wetsuit by the time I was at my rack. Then I had to run my bike almost the entire length of transition.

The only way to assure that I am closer to the front of transition would be to registrar as open, and I'm just not ready for that.

I really enjoyed this bike course. It was a beautiful day with some wind but honestly couldn't have asked for better weather. Tried to relax in the first couple of miles. I've had a lot of chest congestion over the last few weeks and was pretty winded coming out of the swim. Took slow deep breaths trying to get my heart rate to drop. Though I wasn't wearing my HR monitor I could tell my HR was elevated and that I would need to bring it down if I wanted to be able to finish the race. After I passed mile 5 I started to settle into a comfortable pace. Approaching mile 7/8 I was passed by the first two women and then a mile or so later I was passed by two more. The women who won the OA went past me like I was standing still, it was actually very cool to witness, as strange as that may sound. It was very inspiring to see a female who can bike like that. Cranked out the final two miles and started getting my mind ready for the run.

Get more training miles and time in on the bike. Be able to race in aero.

Again, had quite a run from dismount to the rack. But what are you going to do? Racked the bike, changed my shoes, took off my helmet, put race belt on and grabbed one of my fuel belt water bottles. Then off I went.

Learn how to rack bike quicker. Turning the bike around to rack it cost me at least 10 sec.

My HR was way too high from the start and the asthma had already kicked in by the time I left transition but I tried to make the most of a bad situation. I kept telling myself that if I took deep breaths it would get better, just keep running. Sipped from my small water bottle, I found that it really helps me to carry my own water, that way I don't have to stop right after I start running to get water. Saw Dan on my way out as he was on his way back and that lifted my spirits. Also told myself that there were people catching me, so I better keep the pace up. Was very happy to see the turnaround but also knew that I had to run back up the hill I just came down. My lungs were burning and my chest was getting tighter and tighter but I kept pushing along, I had come too far to stop now. Drank too much in the first mile and started to get a cramp. All of these things were making me feel so negative, so to counter balance this I started singing Christmas Carols to myself. I know, I know, it sounds stupid but it really helped and totally eased my mind and took my mind off the pain. Once I turned to the finish I just let it all go and cranked as hard as I could.

Run more often. Start taking inhalers again.

Walked around and found Dan. Went over and congratulated Dave and Karolina. Ate some mike'n ikes. Stretched my back and legs. Drank lots of water and gatorade.


Just need more time training. I have so much to learn about this sport, just so thankful that I have so many great people to learn from.

My back hurt towards the end of the bike but by far was my best "back" day in a long time. Going to continue the PT in hopes that this will be good by the beginning of next season.


Really enjoyed this race and want to sign up for it next year. Have to say that this is the best I have felt about a race in a long time (maybe since I was 16). And I define the word "best" not by my place or finish time but because I felt like I could finally "race" and enjoy the sport.