Took off and headed for the 1st bouy. Hit it dead on and was happy with my performance in the 1st leg. Caught up with the prior leg on the back side. It was in this stretch that I got a little too close for comfort with a male racer. I had just passed a guy that was heading out to sea when I think he realized he was going the wrong way and over corrected into me. He climbed up on me and I got a big old bear hug to the legs and a face in my backside. I was quite startled. I don't even know your first name and you're trying for 3rd base, come on! The rest of the swim was uneventful with the exception of goggles that refused to keep a seal.

Go with my old goggles.

T1 went fine, my HR was up and run up the beach hurt my feet but I survived. I was trying to get out on the course and decided not to put my windbreaker on ... this would prove to be a huge mistake. This was one of my fastest T1's. Woo hoo!

Put the jacket on.

The rain started and remained steady on the bike. There was a little breeze but just enough to make the rain really cold. The road conditions were okay on the first lap and quite wet and soggy on the 2nd lap. I slowed down my pace a little and took the corners easy as I didn't want to crash and burn. I felt good and my HR was below where it needed to be for the race. I noticed other racers were really quiet and most comments contained a great deal of sarcasm. I was soaked, really cold and ready to just get out of town. I realized that I should have put my cycling jacket on in transition, I would have been warmer on the bike. I decided on the leg in that I would put it on in transition for the run .... hahah ... that's a funny idea.

Nothing, I rode smart and safe. Not my fastest ride on this course but I'm not complaining. No crashing or sliding out.

My feet were frozen so I was peg leg Jessica getting off the bike. I ran/hobbled to my rack, dropped off my bike put on running shoes and visor. I reached for my jacket and it was soaked. So much for that idea, time to get out of town.

Put the jacket on earlier.

Took off and kept my head down, just keep running/moving. I wanted to finish and get warm. My hands and feet were really cold and it was creeping toward my core. The first lap I just toddled along on my frozen feet. 2nd lap I tried to pick up the pace to get warmer. My HR and breathing increased but my body temp was still cold. Brr! I ran the last stretch hard, I wanted dry clothes and the sweet sweet heater of the car.

Hahah ... warm down ... I was still waiting for that to happen.

I grabbed a bottle of water and a dixie cup of animal crackers and made a bee line for transition. I was on a mission. I packed up quickly an headed back to the car. Jeni hadn't started the run yet so I figured that I had time to change into my running tights, dry shoes, a fleece and a waterproof layer then join her for the rest of her run. I changed, got the truck going and the heater blasting and waited. My phone rang 20 minutes later and it was Jeni, she was cold and miserable and had decided not to finish the race. I drove over to pick her up and we headed back to the hotel for a hot shower.


The rain, my swim and run were fine, my bike was slower but safety was more important.


I have done this race the last 3 years and it's generally well run. I was a little disappointed that there weren't space blankets at the finish line, I didn't expect it but thought the RD would have checked the forecast and planned ahead. This race was moved from April to March last year which increased the chances of bad weather for Southern California. I love this race but it was miserable this year.