After the race announcements, we started 15 seconds later...all 100+ people. I ended up in lots of churning water and behind someone kicking like a frog...I backed off and ended up in the very back of the pack. Ended up swallowing water a bit and stopped and coughed a bunch. There were little tiny waves but it effected my breathing. All my open water swims have been in flat smooth water...this was a good practice. Way back from far bouy was easier since the waves weren't coming at me. There was something in the water that kept getting on my fact...weeds? floating weeds? It was annoying but not upsetting. No panic which was great. I tried to encourage the person that was last.

Start to the side more...not be surprised on the fast start after announcements....try to draft off a swimmer that kicks normal.

Felt tired coming out of the swim. Only 3 days between sprints...which most likely was not enough recovery. This was a practice Tri and I wanted to give it a try. No rack room so bike was on the ground...didn't bring stool so had to sit on ground..lots of space...all my kids and hubby started talking to me...and distracting. Pulled off part of my helmet padding...couldn't use aero water bottle since bike was horizontal. All in all neede flexibility...adjusted okay...ran a long ways until we could mount our bikes.

Get there earlier to get rack my bike, bring stool, have a hydration plan that works...no spilling water when bike is lying down.

My chain came off on an uphill...so I had to walk to the next driveway to get on...hard to start from a stop on an uphill. Calves were cramped a bit after the swim in T1 and the beginning of the bike...they went away. Passed maybe 4-5 people. At about mile 5 the fast guys startd passing me on the their second loop. The 6th guy to pass me got pretty far ahead of me...but I almost caught him on a down hill that went into a flat. I'd say after about 4 miles I felt better.

Have a drinking plan if I had to lie my bike down on the ground....not race so close together. All in all, my bike just felt off today.

I timed my T2, not timing from Tri. Changed shoes, put on socks but feet were still wet from swim and bike shoes and was off quickly. I was 7th into T2 impressed my kids...but everyone else had done 2 loops. Wow...I had never transitioned with the fast buff guys. Lots to improve on...they run fast with their bikes. My husband commented I did T2 fast...and someone who finished the race about 50 yds behind me...lost time in both transitions....which is why I finished ahead of her.

Not much...get better at getting on and off bike quickier.

Since my last Tri on Sunday, I am sure it was short on the run. This was my fastest on a ture 5K. The two uphills were a bit hard...walked for maybe 20 seconds after each one....about the 60% down way nice long downhill I worked hard at leaning and gliding....was able to keep the faster pace through the end. I kept doing mental math to see if I oculd come in under 12 minute mile...and I did..and proud of that. I had a side stitch for the first time on and off the last half of the race. Brian, Shasha and Libby were waiting for me and ran in with me...very sweet. Libby squirted me with her new squirt gun from Subway...the whole way. I think with more recovery I could have done better.

I knew Chris from BT was racing so each guy in orange who passed me, I'd ask if they were Chris...finally he passed me on the uphill...nice to meet him...he was looking strong and running well for doing a 1/2 Iron last weekend or any other time.

Not much...drink a tad more....pick up pace sooner...but given last Tri on Sunday probably not possible this day.

Took off shoes, socks and went in the water..felt great...hoped it help recover my legs.


Limitors include...racing 4 days before, being 43 and overweight....stressed getting to race...time of day.


Great race for a practice Tri. Only costs $15 and well worth it. Eveyone was friendly including the fast guys which I haven't found before. Would recommend doing this race for good practice to everyone. I found Chris and Dave from BT and it was fun to meet them and visit for a short time. Hope to do it again. Chris zipped by me on the run...he was looking strong.