I'm surprised the time wasn't as fast as I thought it would be. I thought I was doing pretty good. Felt fine, shoulder wasn't giving me any trouble, AND I was able to avoid any elbows.

Nothing. I made sure to stay far to the left of everyone so my left shoulder wouldn't get hurt, but that also kept me from being near anyone to draft.

I may not be back to my old self in the swim, bike, and run, but MAN, I still got it on the transitions! Fastest female T1 in my age group, 2nd fastest of ALL females!! WHOOHOO!!!

Nothing. I was happy.

There were WAYYYY too many U-turns. Besides just regular corners (which there were also a lot of), there were 5 full u-turns in there. It was also WAYYY too crowded. 530 finishers in the triathlon alone, but there was also a duathlon going on at the same time. It was CONSTANT passing, switching positions, SCARY during all the U-turns and other corners. DEFINITELY keeps the reflexes sharp!

Practice corners and U-turns more. That's a weakness of mine even when I'm in shape, but I'll never do well on this course with all the turns without practice.

As I said, I still got it going on in the transitions!!! 3rd overall female T2, and 1st T2 in my age group! (Honestly, this is the only race director that actually even shows rankings for the transitions!)

Nothing.

I'm just happy to be able to run 2.5 miles now nonstop. Had a tough time with a side stitch I began feeling a little bit in the first mile, but by the end of the 2nd mile it was REALLY rearing it's ugly head! Couldn't get rid of it so I just suffered until the finish.

The worst part of that was that only about 20 meters or so from the finish, a woman in my age group passed me! I could see she had good energy and I was just WIPED, plus was dealing with the stitch, so I just had to let her go. AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

I think I'm going to have to revamp my nutrition. I got a stitch in the race last week as well, and there are only 2 things that could've caused it, since I've never had that problem. Either my body just isn't used to going so hard anymore (cuz it's been so long since I races) or now that I'm on this new low sodium diet it's messing with my electrolytes a bit. I'm just going to have to wing it and figure it out on my own.

Walking LOTS, stretching, showered at the park's hose (yes, I still bring my shampoo and soap and a change of clothes!)


Out of shape. Not worried about it.


I was just thrilled to be out there, when it gets down to it. I got to see old friends that I haven't seen since we moved over 1 1/2 years ago, I got a real cheering section coming with me that I don't usually get (thanks SOOOO much Fran, Kenny, Megan, Marissa and Renzo!!!), and it felt good just to be moving again, which I wasn't sure would ever happen!

Oh, and Fran, thanks AGAIN for letting me stay at the Hotel FranandKen!