The people in front and behind seemed pretty cool and we talked about passing before we all got in the pool. I was just a tad bit anxious standing in the water listening to the guy count down for me. The first 100 was fine, under the rope and GULP - I took in a bunch of water and told the guy behind me to pass. He was SLOW so I passed him almost immediately and then I passed another. I had a mini panic around 175 with all the bodies/turbulance. I had Justin's voice in my head and was trying to rotate my body and bring my elbows up. When I started focussing on my form the panic left. I pass another 3-5 swimmers. At one point the gal in front of me was walking but I couldn't pass her because the lane was already 3 wide so I had to walk around her and then swim again. I found the pool swim rather bizaar and was surprised how many people were panicking. With the one exception it was easier to pass than I thought it would be. I wish I knew my overall rank but the website doesn't provide that.
Heard my husband yelling my name out of the pool and he ran along with me on the other side of the fence for a few yards :)

I am proud of my swim and it is the only bright spot.

Practice going under the rope.

Ugh! This is where it ALL went wrong!!! As you can see my T1 time sucks azz! First I took too much time getting the grass and crap off my feet. The second issue was my friggin hair! I wasn't paying attention when I put my hair up and I put it in a high pony tail like I usually do before a swim. However, the helmet won't fit on my head with a high pony tail so I'm standing in transition trying to move my pony tail down enough to get my damn helmet on. Obviously my hair is wet so it's not cooperating. This really pissed me off!

Think.
The old guy was yelling at us telling us races are lost in transition and I really wanted to punch him!

I got passed a LOT on the bike. The only people I passed where those who could have given birth to me or I could have given birth to. Not pretty. I was in pain the whole ride. The only consolation was I kept telling myself once I finished the bike I could get OFF that friggin saddle!

I hate my saddle! Obviously I was in trouble out of T1 and I am not speedy on the bike by any means but I know my saddle issues slowed me down for sure.
The good news is that I learned from Tuesday's brick I need to stop drinking on the bike or I will pay for it dearly on the run. I stopped drinking about 1/2 way through and I think that was a good decision. I am also glad my husband installed an aero bottle the day before. I spent most of the race in aero - not that it seemed to help.
I am also having shifting issues since my little 0mph fall, my bike likes to shift all on it's own which makes for an interesting ride.

A fellow tri'er leant me her saddle to try on Tuesday. I thought about putting in on my bike but worried about anything new on race day. I should have used it. Nothing could have been worse for me than the saddle I currently have.
One gal in my A/G I did pass was on a cruiser with a saddle the size of my couch - I had serious couch/saddle envy right then.

I think my favorite part of this race were the guys in T2 that racked our bikes for us! I wanted to kiss him :) I am ok with my T2 time.

I didn't pass many people but those I passed I always talked to.
Some people had hoses & sprinklers out and I thanked them VERY much!
At the first water station I grabbed 2 cups, one to drink from and one to pour on me. I took a sip and then poured and the water was FREEZING which took my breath away and I choked on my sip of water.
I was hoping for a race buddy or at least some booty. Some guy behind me started singing Mustang Sally and I joined in. Nice race booty. At the 2nd water station I remembered to swallow the water and THEN pour. I found a pace buddy in a 17 year old girl with a Camelback and full make up :) She was adorable, this was her first tri. I really wanted to stop but told her if she kept going I would too. We stayed right with each other. When they told us 300 yards I said "My name is Keri" she said "Mine too" and we had a laugh. At 100 yards I grabbed her hand and raised it up for the photographer. At 50 yards she said "Are you ready" I said "You go Girl" and she took off like a shot! I had picked up my pace but didn't have a sprint in me. I finished with a smile but was pretty miserable.
I had left side lower back cramps from 1.5 on.

Not sure what to do differently. Maybe not live in Texas? I didn't walk the course at all though it probably looked like I was.
I need to get faster if for no other reason so I can finish and stop running :)

Can I say how much I HATE that I have to stop and let the sweet lady take the chip off??? I HATE that part. I want to walk in circles and hug my husband I don't want to stop. Once I stop I want to lay down. I was surprised where I hurt immediately after - my back, my whole back and shoulders felt exhausted and I was hunched over, standing straight up was exhausting. I walked around a bit then found some shade and sat down. My family is awesome and brought me everything I asked for. Drank some Emergen'C after and think that really helped with my recovery.


Where do I start?
The #1 issue is my saddle simply because it made the race unbearable.
I need to get better at T1 and spend more running outside - but I REALLY don't want to!


I have to say other than my saddle soreness this morning I am VERY disappointed in my time and rank. I didn't look yesterday and am glad I didn't. When I saw my numbers this morning I wanted to cry. Starting to question this whole tri thing.