Swim was good. I got going kind of fast but stopped for a sec, caught my breath and settled down and tried to remind myself constantly about form. I found some feet in front of me and followed. So cool - I've never drafted off someone before. Soon though I was almost on top of her a few times so I passed her and kept going. This was a good swim for me. I felt comfortable, breathing was good, not a lot of stopping, siting was good, I didn't get off course which is awesome and kept going at a good clip. I was relieved I did well and the swim felt pretty great. This was my first OWS of the season. :)

Went well.

The run/walk from the water to T1 was INSANE. We got sand,then grass and then the parking lot and finally there. My actual time in transition was not bad - suit came off okay and got everything else on and I was ready pretty quickly.

I did to okay but THEY should move the transition area closer to the water. I'm just sayin.

I used the time from my Garmin. 4 minutes out on the bike I thought I heard something and thought no that's not me but yeah, then there was that tell tale sssssssssssssss and I was going slower and slower. I had a flat in front. So I changed it! (yeah I rock!) Pulled out a big thorn. Thank goodness I keep a gu in my bike bag for just such an occasion cuz I used the wrapper to boot the tire and off I went. I had a pretty good ride after that. The road was okay and traffic was not a problem. Sheriffs were everywhere. At the end of the loop there was a pretty good hill which I ended up walking up. The water stop was almost at the top of the hill (dumb place for a water stop really) - heart rate was super high at this point, I had a cramp and was thirsty. There was no way I could get water and still ride. It turned out okay that I walked. I heard Dave behind me yelling my name and good job and all that good stuff. Thanks Dave! I sometimes need to get off the bike for a few minutes and walk and reset cuz when I got back on my legs felt refreshed and loop number two seemed to go much faster. Anyhow, I got farther up the hill the second time around before I jumped off and walked the rest of the way up. It was steep and I was getting tired. Note to self: Stay in a hotel nearby next time. 3:30 a.m. wake up call is for the birds. I could have used the extra 2 hours of sleep by this time.

The usual - go faster and more training on hills.

this was good.

Do it faster. (everything always "do it faster")

Time is from my Garmin. My Garmin also tells me that this run was a little longer at 6.4 not 6.2. First two miles I was good - felt great actually. I did almost the same workout last weekend - no sweat. I got this. By the time I got to the dam and about halfway over I was hot and nauseated. I poured water on my head and my back. I ran until I thought I'd barf and then walk til it passed and do it again. I did this to mile 5 and then walked that mile and then ran the last part in to finish. It was hot and pretty much no shade at all. My right foot started to hurt so there was that too. The foot thing was not as bothersome as the "I think I'm going to yack" thing. Cold water seemed to make it worse. The Marines who were manning the water stop were "are you the last one Ma'am?" I said yeah I think so. I think that's my job today. I already knew this as I had a police escort the last mile in from the bike. It's okay somebody's got to do it - might as well be me. :)

Run faster? Not feel barfy? Carry a shade umbrella? Hey, now there's an idea.

Dave, bless him!, had waited for me to finish and was there to cheer me in along with some other volunteers. He had water for me, reminded me to turn off the watch (this is very important ya know!) and we walked around a little and I went and got my stuff. There was a woman who also had a cup of recovery drink for me that they were giving out and that went down the hatch too. Thank you whoever you are - that was so nice. Dave had written down my splits already. (Dammit he's fast) Got a hamburger and more water and finally sat for a bit and chatted with Dave. The nausea didn't pass really until I sat down.


I hate this question.


A good event. What makes it so are the people. I have never had more encouragement anywhere for anything I have done as I do in triathlon. It's amazing. I always get to a point in a race where I feel like shit and think what the HELL am I doing to myself and now I'm thinking about what's on my schedule this year when someone pops up with a smile to make it all better. Well maybe not all better but that simple thing can change your attitude and that's when things change. Everyone has a "good job" or "way to go" and even finishing DFL - which I don't really care that much about - everyone made sure I had something to eat and drink. Dave even got me free schwag that I would have otherwise missed since they were packing it in. Hats off to you my triathlete friends. I'm honored to be a part of this.