I have never been a good swimmer. In fact, some of my OWS events are down right laughable if not pathetic. I spent my entire week in NY vanquishing the OWS monster.

Dex and I were in the same wave, thought he wanted me to start up front with him but I knew I'd be creamed so I hung back. Let the jackrabbits start off. I was mentally keeping track of the bouys on the way out. How many have I passed now? Oh, here's the green one that looks like a hershey kiss...that's the turn bouy for the sprinters.

Got some feet to draft off. Settled between 2 sets of feet. Was doing okay but got a couple feet on the goggles and moved out from them. When they pulled off I pulled back in and swam as close to the bouy line as I ever have in my life. Hugged that thing to stay on course.

Hit the turn bouy and had the chop working with me a little bit. Got back in between those feet and then along side someone else. Wow, I'm having a good swim. I'm back to the hershey kiss bouy and I haven't hugged a kayak...I haven't had to backstroke. The smile starts to form...

Suddenly I catch a glimpse of a pink cap from the wave behind ours in the water with me. Started to get discouraged but with my next breath I saw I was still well in the pack of silver caps for the old fogies wave. The pink cap wave was full of youngsters and relays, that girl smoked the swim. I told my self to just enjoy the best swim I have ever had and let her go.

I hit the end...As I exited the water I had the biggest smile you ever saw on my face. Screaming on the way out "MY BEST EVER OWS SWIM!!!!" Yelled that all the way to transition too.

Not a thing. This was the swim I have wanted for the past 2 years and finally had.

So exited about my swim time that I lost track of where my bike was on the racks. Had to run back to the rack to find it.
Husband shouted an approximate time on my swim to me and then how far ahead Dex was.
Maybe I'm not used to having to search for my bike on a elatively full rack? It's a new experience for me :)

Count racks to remember how far up my bike is from the entrance.

This is a hard course but I still enjoy it.

Out from the park and up Rt 89. Almost as soon as youexit the park is the MONSTER of a hill. 7% incline slow and steep. They don't make hills like this in Richmond. UGH, climbed the beast, it wasn't easy. I have climbed this hill before,even on my roadie...I know I can take this beast. Just keep pedaling.

Past the turn around for the kids and I look at my speed...28 mph!!! HOLY SMOKES!! This is great but I know I'll blow up cause this is early on.
Few more rollers to get through then the turn around for the sprinters. Little farther on and we turn right into Sheldrake. They warned that it was a steep down hill into this neighborhood. I slowed down, didn't need to slow as much as I did but I was told steep downhill...Beautiful lakeside community. Too bad it was raining--maybe better though cause I wasn't on a sight seeing tour here. I was out to race. Turn out of Sheldrake and there's another BEAST of a hill. Holy Mother of GOD!!! Can they find any more hills for this course? Let the folks around me know that this southern girl isn't used to hills like these.

Went past the water hand off, I had plenty of water left and an aero bottle with Heed in it that I've been working on. Coughed out half a lung and kept pedaling. Hit the turn back onto 89. SWEET, we're going to go DOWN HILL now. Oh yeah, gotta manage the rollers first.

Lake effect winds are harder on the way down. That's another thing I don't have here in Richmond. Big lakes with monster hills and lake effect winds. Hunker down in aero and keep pedaling. Cat and mouse with a couple other people.

Mix in with the sprinters at their turn around. Then the youth. Sweet, speed is pretty good.

Hit the monster to go down. I would love to say I stayed aero for that downhill but in the rain I was too chicken to give it a go. Still smiling, the crowd is commenting on that as I roll into the park area. Unclipped and rode with feet on pedals the last little bit. Run into transition and still can't remember where my rack is. WTF? Did I leave my brain in the water?

Could I please remember where I racked the bike???
Husband again gave me a total on my time now. I asked how far ahead Dex was, he shouts 20+ minutes. "CRAP!"
Since we were out of town for this race I didn't have anything to protect my transition gear. My shoes and socks are soaked. Forget socks, they won't help. Grab some gu just in case throw the hat on and run.

Count my transition rack from the entrance again!!

.Out of tranisition a path along the lake edge near the boat launch. Over a foot bridge then under the road. Up the gorge trail. Muddy mess. One noticeable hill as you go up the trail then relatively flat.

Barely noticing the scenery. On a sunny day this is a beautiful trail to walk with all the waterfalls alongside of it. Hit the first turn around at the falls. Still barely notice them. SOme pain in my back has me going slow. Whatever, just keep moving. Grab some gatorade at the aid station and walk through that. Run again, down the trail. Have to bear left through the grass and back under the road again. It's like a slip and slide from the rain.

Lap one is done. No comments from the family about Dex's where abouts now. Haven't seen him but I know he's out there. Commented that I was hurting.

Start lap 2 and I have to walk that incline on the gorge trail. All of maybe 100 feet. Was all I needed to get the back to cooperate. When I got to the falls at the top I actually noticed them and started to smile again. Realized this is part of what makes this race so good.

Mile 4. WAHOO!!! Almost done, my run finally kicks in and even though I'm not moving that much faster I am finally passing people.

Down the grassy slope again. Under the bridge. Mile 5...YAY!!!!!

Cross that footbridge for the last time. Mile 6!!! YEAH BABY 0.2 miles left. This race is almost OVER!

Tried to really turn it on into the chute but the grass was so wet I was afraid I would face plant on the finish.

Bring my run sooner.

Walked around. Saw Dex. He beat me by about 15 minutes total. Wandered over and found some food then waited for the chiropractic students to adjust the back. Magic hands found the knots in my shoulder and neck from all my swimming practices :)

It creeped my daughter out when he cracked my neck but that's my favorite part of a chiro adjustment.



Hip flexors and back acting up


This race is probably my favorite race. It's well worth the drive up to NY to do. Ithaca tri club is well organized and runs a tight show. The course is hard but it is what it is.