The swim is a good event for me. I rarely get tired completing this event and that was the case in this race. I did get passed by a dude at the 300m mark. But I was able to keep a good pace.

I would set my watch so I could keep a better eye on my pace. I can swim the 400 in 8:30, so this was slower than usual for me. I don't know if seeing my pace would've helped or not.

This was my first race so I was really trying to focus on not messing up or missing something. I did dry my feet and put on socks and tennis shoes so I know that slows me down. I'm not accustomed to jumping on the bike so that may be something I need to practice in the future.

I would probably forgo the socks as they get dreched during the bike anyway. I do use toe clips so I have to put tennis shoes on. I think before my next race I'll buy some YANKZ! so I don't have to take the time to tie my shoes.

I made mistake riding the hills in that I geared down too low and wasn't able to maintain my speed. I wasn't sure how much to push my legs to keep some energy for the run. The last 7 miles I didn't gear down so much and was able to keep my speed up on the inclines. I don't have any bike racing experience so this was good for me.

Try to keep the gears higher on inclines and learn to ride better out of the saddle.

I kept thinking I still had my helmet on, but it was off and I was wearing my running cap. I thought about changing my drenched socks, but decided against it.

Next time I'll not wear socks on the run and maybe try to run without them as well. I hate wet socks!

I came off the bike with my left foot asleep and it didn't wake up until the 1 mile marker. I never felt loose during the run. I wanted to walk so BAD. I usually jog at 12 min/mi pace. So, this was the right pace for me. The guy in front of me was jogging about the same pace and he started to walk which convinced me that I didn't want to walk after all! I got a little irritated at two points: one was the little trail into the woods (don't know why, but I hated that) and two was the racer who had already finished and was at the 3 mile marker asking me questions about what I was going to do after the race. I couldn't talk and he just kept asking me questions. Not sure what that was about...now it makes me laugh, but when you want to die it's not amusing.

I need to practice speed drills. When I started training 4 months ago I couldn't jog more than 3 minutes at a time. I can jog 3.1 miles now so it's time to increase the pace.

Walked around the parking lot with my husband, kids and other family. My sister finished a few minutes before me and we met up. We were thrilled to have finished what we set out to do! We cheered on my brother-in-law as he sprinted across the finish line. I was on cloud 9!


Physical conditioning! Now I know that I not only need aerobic conditioning, but strength training. I plan on keeping it up and racing some next season.


Great race! Nothing to compare it to, but no complaints at all!