The last time I swam in this pool was the Monster Tri and I got run over in the second fifty after which I panicked and had to go to breast stroke. This time I started out first fifty, just great. I hit the wall before I knew it and thought it would be a great swim. Then when I got to the place where I got run over I panicked again. Not bad but enough to make me go to breaststroke. I really don't know why this happens but it happens to me a lot in the swim leg. I get breathless and feel like I just can't swim freestyle. I just took it easy then and when I got my breath back I found I was stuck behind two people. I don't like to waste energy passing unless they are really slow so I just hung behind them. I passed one at the wall but the other guy just took off in front of me so I was stuck behind him for the rest of the swim. I did go back to freestyle for the last fifty and felt fine. Surprisingly my time was 15 seconds better than in the monster.

Warm up and get a feel for the long lanes. Also try to prepare more mentally to combat panic. Probably consult with a shrink - lol!

I had planned on a slow transition in order to be as warm as possible on the bike, which was the part of this race I was really dreading! I got my cap off then later thought I should have just left it on to keep my head warm. I had brought a sham wow and it was great, got me pretty dry especially my feet which I was very grateful for.Pulled on capri sweats which I had picked b/c I knew they'd go on easy, and they did. Put on long sleeve mesh tee and warm up jacket, put on neck warmer and head band over my ears. Put on race belt and the lovely socks we got in out packet. Put on my bike shoes. Put on helmet and headed out. I got clipped in in record time, usually I'm half a mile out before I do - lol Then I realized to my chagrin, that I had forgotten my gloves! Still, I felt my time wasn't too bad for having done all that!

Leave on my swim cap, remember my gloves. I'd still take my time and put on enough to keep me warm. As it was I froze on the bike anyway!

Wow. This bike leg was awful! That's all I can say. I knew it would be cold and it was. The worst parts were my feet and my back because she spray kept hitting me and making me cold. For a while my lower legs were stinging till they went numb. I wished at that point I'd chosen long sweats but it turned out alright. I rode the whole way with my nylon sleeves pulled over my hands and they weren't too cold. I really felt I rode well, had good energy till the end of the second loop and then the hills kind of got to me. The first loop I motored right up the hills and felt good. I think the wet roads slowed me down and the cold made me hold back on the downhills instead of sprinting. My legs and feet bothered me a fair amount in the second loop. I was really glad to get off the bike!

Probably not a whole lot other than remember my gloves. I also would have done more bike training, but overall I haven't been training much at all due to busy schedule and winter. Ugh, will definitely be more active now that Spring is here. Bring on the Cave Man!

I never jump off my moving bike - lol I'm too old for that!
This T was pretty good actually. I just switched shoes quickly, I have yankz so my running shoes go on fast and easy. I did put my gloves on and my hands were very happy. Took off my helmet, forgot I had brought gu, but I took a drink of my water and took off.



Not anything probably, this transition was ok for me.

Considering that my feet were numb and didn't completely thaw out till after I finished I think my run was ok. Not my best time at all, but then, I haven't been running much. I actually felt pretty good at least in the beginning. And as I said, it was so nice to be off the bike that any pain during the run was minimal in comparison to the horrid bike leg! I did start to have some pain on the outside of my right knee. I have had that before in a tri and so I wasn't real worried but it was bothersome and held me back a bit.

Train more of course! :)

Found my daughter and walked around a bit. I had brought dry clothes so I changed. My husband had gone to the car to warm up so we didn't hang out too long.


Being old, not training sufficiently, horrible weather conditions, lack of will to endure pain, hmmm, what else? lol


Too early in the season to avoid running into cold rain and wind. But nice not to have to wait so long for first tri of the year. I live in Keller so I am real familiar with the pool, bike and run courses. Love it.
If I had had to drive an hour to compete in adverse conditions I may have skipped this one...but probably not! ;)