The swim…on Saturday (day before race) I swam the course with the Team in Training group. I wore my wet suit and was pleased with the effort and it boosted my confidence tremendously. BUT low and behold on race day, the water temp was 80 degrees and wetsuits weren’t legal. So, I was a little panicked but decided to swim without the crutch of the wet suit. I definitely can tell a HUGE difference now between swimming with and without. :) I spotted a lot during the swim. Water had tons of slimy seaweed-like stuff in it! YUCKY! After the race, I realized how much when I took my top off, my skin looked camouflaged. Overall I was pleased with the swim.

practice the course the day before WITHOUT the wet suit!

Ate a carboom, fast transition I thought.

The bike leg…I had so much fun on the bike portion of the race. Rode sock-less and feet didn’t go numb at all, plus feet stay nice and cool. There were a few hills, but mostly flat. I hammered the whole time and felt great. Lots of fun! I passed the 26 year old that was my roommate and was also a little cocky! Her race number was 276 and mine was 557, so she started way ahead of me. Then I caught up with all but two of the other b’ham girls that I knew. Then on a straight of way, I hear this voice from behind saying “Hey Good lookin”, I’m thinkin’ who in the world is that? Lane (Cavu9) of course! It was great seeing him, but he didn’t hang with me for long. I had him in my sights for awhile but then he faded away. I found the course to be a little technical for a beginner like me, but I was pleased with the way I handled the turns. All in all there were 16 turns on the course. I guess that isn’t really a big deal, other than I don’t have a lot of practice/experience turning while racing. I pedaled through the turns and even passed one person while turning. Oops!

PUT ON SOCKS!! :)

The run…ok, I must fess up here. I haven’t run 6 miles since Thanksgiving and the ½ marathon I did. Yes, I know I need to train more. SO 10 minute miles weren’t so bad, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. The course was VERY hilly. People were walking up the hills…I refused to however. That was my only running goal…NOT to walk. So I met my goal! Ok…here is where I messed up however. I didn’t put socks on to run, which is fine if I had been running without them all along, but I guess you would have to be running first ah? Anyway, my outer sides of my heels have a huge raw area. About mile 3 they started hurting, but I ignored the pain, but it continued to worsen and then I could feel blisters growing on my arches. I refused to look down at my feet and I’m so glad that I didn’t look until after the race. My shoes were soaked through with blood and my feet continued to bleed for about 2 hours after finish. I will train more without socks. The race finish line is at the lake-end of the transition area and to get there you must run over a levy that is about .3 of a mile. Crowds were lining the levy cheering us on. Very cool. I sprinted in and got all teary eyed and was VERY glad to have finished!!

Run more before the race!!

I was totally elated! I surprised myself with my race time. I was hoping for around 3:15-3:30.


need to run faster!!


I had a blast!! I loved going with a big group!! Can't wait to do another one. Chattanooga July 17th...here I come!!