This is my weakest event, so started out in the back of the wave to not get in anyones way. I settled into a comfortable stroke but kept wandering away from the swim line which was curved. It was a steady swim, but this is the area where I will see my time drop if I put in more training.

Need more open water training.

Happy with first transition. Being one of the slowest swimmers helped because there was no traffic. Everything went just as planned.

So I thought I could make time up from swim on the biking leg, but the wind and heat took so much out of me. I drank plenty of water but still didn't have much energy to attack the hills. The headwinds and crosswinds on the flat sections took away what I thought would be the areas that I could make up time lost on the steep inclines. Clearly I was not ready for the hills and need to do more training for them. Disappointed in my performance.

Again, one of only bright spots is that I got through the transition clean. Just as planned.

Ohhh so hot. The trail was nice because of the shade, but the footing was not the best for tired legs. Once out on the road I realized how drained I really was. The heat had sucked everything out of me and I really had trouble breathing. The blacktop was brutal, and I began cramping half way through. Not sure if I can even call what I was doing was a run. Walked two times, but couldn't get my pace or my breathing going. The will was there but the body was not. None-the-less I finished.

Stretched, mild short run, more stretching.


The heat killed me. Better training, but this being the first real hot weekend, not sure any amount of training would have helped me breathe any better. I kept my head in it though and gave it my best. First Tri this year, second ever...heat, wind, training = Satisfied but definitely wanting more. Can't wait for Devil's Challenge.


Friends have been asking me for two years to try this Tri and I finally did it. I know next year will be better!