With the start of the school year (including all the teacher workshops that go with it), I hadn't been able to seriously train for about four weeks. It definitely showed on the swim!

I swam freestyle for the first 150 meters to the first buoy. Along the way, I was having major problems with my goggles leaking water. It became so aggravating that I ended up just swimming side-stroke for about 80% of the remainder.

Next year as the start of the school year begins, I'm going to keep pushing myself to stay on top of my training.

The practice tri that the East Texas Triathletes put on in August went great, and I was able to freestyle the entire thing. But when you take away four weeks of swim training, freestyle becomes much more difficult.

Here's one thing I never anticipated. When standing next to my bike, I was trying to put on my socks, but I kept tipping over. I'd have to put my hand on my handlebars for balance. After a good 30 seconds of trying to balance myself, my equilibrium came back and I was able to put on my socks and shoes.

As I left the parking lot and hit the road, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. Swimming side stroke had REALLY thrown my balance off. All I could do was hope that I wouldn't topple over on the bike.

This was by far the best portion of my event. I clipped in and focused on keeping a nice cadence.

The only downside was when I came back to the main road after the turn around. The police office at the intersection actually stopped another rider and myself in order to let a truck go first. It was frustrating have all that momentum and stop to wait for a truck.

The second transition went well. I racked my bike, put on my running shoes and running belt, grabbed my hat and glasses, and off I went.

The run course went great for the first quarter mile... and then the cramps hit. My stomach cramped like never before, and it brought me to a standstill at several points in the course.

It took until I was a good 1.75 miles into the course before my stomach loosened enough for me to establish any kind of comfortable pace. Of course, by then, I knew my time was going to stink.

I think the whole cramping problem came about from my last minute breakfast snack I had before the swim. NEVER AGAIN will I make that mistake!!

No eating before the race! 'Nuf Said!!

I did a light run after the race to cool off my legs. After that, my warm-down consisted of a massage, smoothies and good food!


Again, I think the main thing that did me in was my late breakfast snack. I wish I had known then what I know now!!