What to say about the swim. It sucked. I was third to push off in my lane of 4 w/ 3 guys. The guy behind me tagged me at the second lap, so I let him go ahead. I tagged the guy in front of me on the 3rd lap and we basically lost him. I was swimming fine, pacing nicely until about the 8th lap getting ready to really start pushing. The chop was incredible, lost my breath a few times. Then I ran into the wall of man. I tagged the guy ahead of me every single lap until we were finished. He would not let me pass. We were 1-2-3 out of the water. I was pissed he wouldn't let me go ahead because I was just getting started and ready to pour it on - instead I had to breast stroke behind him. Not one of the finer moments in the race to be certain. We were so bunched up the second half I don't think I was able to do a single flip turn. At least I got some serious drafting in, but do not think I pushed it at all hard on the swim... at least as much as I was ready to.

What can you do when people are not exhibiting good pool etiquette...?

I'd do a couple things differently:
1) get a race belt, I had my number pinned to my jersey and tucked in, and it worked fine, but was not that comfortable swimming.
2) not wear socks or have anything i need to grab when i exit the pool.

Just took my time, but wasn't expecting to feel quite as leaden as I did coming out of the pool. Towel'd off a bit while running, got everything on fairly quickly. Wore a bike/running jacket because it was chilly - glad I did - did not overheat at all, and was comfortable on the ride. Didn't have too much trouble getting into the jacket wet, and socks/shoes went on fairly quickly.

A few more SWIM-BIKE bricks.
Not have anything to grab when exiting the pool.
Learn to jump on the bike and the whole shoes trick (at some point)

I never got a chance to ride the course before the race so I was a little worried about the "challenging hill" at mile 6. I knew the elevation profile before and after were fairly flat so I gunned it as much as possible from the start. Started climbing at 5.5 mile, the hill was slightly challenging but was really just an extra long roller - I wish I had attacked it a bit harder. Hit 38.5mph on the way off the hill and was just trying to keep the pace up after that. Was trying to push it just hard enough that I would have some left for the run, but not too hard. Think I managed a good balance here. Took a GU and some h20 at mile 11 prepping for run.

Spin more instead of hammering. Attack the "hill" a bit more. Maybe push it a little harder, but overall I'm happy with the bike portion.

Got in and out fairly quickly. Had to take off my jacket so that slowed me down a bit - but I had put yankz in my shoes the day before, they really make getting in/out fast!

Nothing cept hopping off the bike a bit more elegantly.
Hopefully next time weather won't warrant a jacket, one less thing to worry about.

Goal was to try to run the whole thing - and I did - first time I've ever run an entire 5k. Felt pretty good and paced at my slow jog pace. My right ankle has been nagging me the past couple weeks on/off but didn't seem to flare up too badly during the run. The timing chip ate my left ankle though. Did not feel too wiped at the end. Amazing comraderie on the run - really felt supported and encouraged. It was awesome.

Probably could have pushed a little harder, but am happy with the run considering what I consider to be my sub-par current running condition. A nice soft timing chip ankle strip maybe?

Walked around. Talked to some people, drank a bunch of water, ate a cookie, picked up swag, packed up and rode bike back to T1 to pick up my bag, and got back to the max to head home. Didn't stick around for awards - wanted significant meal! :)

Treated myself to a 22oz Sapporo w/ giant chicken burrito w/ salsa verde, and a lemon/honey lavender ice cream sandwich for a job well done!


1) Arsehats in the swim.
2) Not knowing the "hill" length and possible ways to attack it.
3) Mental toughness on the run (though I did pretty well I think).


I am a triathlete!
Yes!
It was a fun race, I loved the bike and the amazing people on the run, and I can't wait for the next one.
RUN RUN RUN...