It is tough to draft when you are one of the slow swimmers. It was tough to get the swim going due to the temperature of the water. However, after rounding the last turn bouy I actually passed some people. A swimmer from the wave behind me swam over me and kicked me as he went by. After that I was mad and made it to the dock MUCH faster than the first leg.

My swim time was 6 minutes better than the same distance last year so no real complaints. I still rank near the back in the swim and just need to keep swimming and working on technique. It was my first open water wetsuit swim and I think I was tentative about letting it all hang out at first. I guess I need to get kicked in the head early in the swim.

Since I forgot my race belt I had to pin on my number. When I went to pull my Zoot top over my head after removing my wetsuit 3 of the 4 pins pulled through the paper. I had to re-pin all 3. My wetsuit really was not too bad to get off. I took 2 more endurolytes with a shot of HEED and ran out.

Remember the stupid race belt.

I still am too conservative on the bike after a really bad cramping episode in my first tri. I tried to drink a double squirt of HEED every 10 minutes and it worked well.

Get on the big chainring sooner and hammer! I waited too long on the first lap and it cost me 3-4 minutes.

I was very pleased with T2 after the disaster at T1. I pretty much ran in, changed the shoes and hit the ground running.

Nothing. I could maybe have knocked off 15 secs.

Was faster than I thought. I felt good coming out of transition but had to slow down slightly after 1/4 mile. Never really felt bad or good but just settled into a zone. Took 2 waters out of the 4-5 available. Ran the last 1/4 mile EXTREMELY well and set a new HR max in the process - 189 bpm. The time was also the fastest by 20 sec 5K time I have ever officially recorded while on a race clock.

I am still learning that feeling not so great is not all that bad. What I mean is nobody feels wonderful at the end of a tri but I have alot more left than I think sometimes. I should have kicked sooner and I will not make that mistake again. I know I am a sprinter and should use it.

Hands on knees until my 3 year old got to me then walking around holding her hand.


Me. I should have gone faster sooner on the bike and gone to my kick sooner on the run. I realize a 1.5 hr time was within my reach had I just gone for it.


I highly recommend this race. Set-Up always does a great job and this was no exception. The lake is great and the bike and run course are easy to navigate. It can get a bit congested with 800 racers but deal with it.