I was so cold that I swam like I was being chased by a shark. It was kind of a mental game since I was swimming in a fresh water lake in the middle of New Zealand.

I would have done more swims in cold water. It really does take your breath away for the first 500 meters or so.

For the first time ever, I began peddaling and found that I had left my bike in the wrong gear. I was spinning my legs and the chain came off. It was embarrassing and slow.

Do a trial that morning to make sure I am in the correct gear for taking off in a hurry.

I could not let go of handlebars long enough to get drink or food. I also had goosebumps the whole time because I couldn't get dry from the swim. Then with the hale...things just got worse. At least I finished. Most women in my division bailed out.

Watch the weather more carefully. If there is any chance of cold weather, I would carry arm or leg warmers (at least). It was exhausting to be shivering while trying to complete a half ironman.

I very nearly dropped out of the race during this transition. I was so miserable that I told my trainer I was going to throw my bike in the lake rather than rack it up. Luckily he stopped me from actually tossing my bike. He literally kicked me in the ass and made me start the run.

Serve hot chocolate.

I was lucky to have a trainer and my husband and 6 other girls from the gym with me. The volunteers had grown tired of picking up cups as they blew off the tables before being drunk, so they had retreated to their cars. No stations for food or water could have been a huge disaster, but my hubbie filled his pockets with stuff and followed me along on bike to act as portable station. No one was angry because there were no stations left due to the freezing cold storm that was blowing through and he hooked up everyone near me that needed anything.

Watch the weather and have a waistbelt stocked up and ready to go in case of the same scenario. But, honestly, who would have expected all the refueling stations to have been blown away and/or packed up. I mean- I was well within the time limit.

I went straight to a massage tent and then Burger King.


Weather and insufficient clothing.


The race could have been beautiful. The course was fine; initially there were volunteers; it was suitably organized. BUT THE WEATHER! My goodness. I could deal without cold fronts making their way through my course. It made it twice as hard to finish. But it also made me twice as proud to finish since so many others quit.