This swim time also included a long run back to transition - with a steep hill.

I started the swim slowly so I could keep my breathing under control. Then I tried to pick up the pace as I went. This worked great for my breathing. My swim was mostly uneventful, except that I suffered from cramps a few times. I continued to swim through them (sort-of) - I would stop kicking and flex my feet until the foot or calf cramp went away. But I am not happy with my pace. I still have a ton of work to do to get my swim time faster.

I have to get my swim pace more competitive! 23 out of 26 in my age group isn't even close to good enough!!

I ran into transition, slipped my feet into my shoes, put on my helmet and sunglasses, sprayed on some sunscreen, grabbed my bike and ran out of transition.

Nothing

The ride started off well. My plan was to keep my HR in zone 3. I tried not to push the uphills too hard (although my HR did go up into zone 4 on some of them). I didn't stand on any of the climbs. I pushed the downhills and flats as much as I could.

I was actually having a good time on the bike. Since I was so far behind after the swim, I had no where to go but up (especially since I was also in the last swim wave). I passed a ton of people on the ride.

I did have a couple of issues during the ride though. I dropped my chain twice during the ride. I tried to back pedal to get it back on, but it didn't work. I had to stop to put it back on.

Also, I use Infinit on the bike. I carry one concentrated bottle with 3 servings on Infinit. And I put water in my aerobottle and refill it at the aid stations. This normally works great. But at the 2nd of 3 aid stations (mile 30), they had NO water. They had completely run out. So, I had to go for about 15 miles with no water.

I also realized as I was riding that I had forgotten to use my inhaler before the race started. I have learned from experience that I do better by using my inhaler before a race (or training) to prevent an asthma attack. If I wait until I am actually having an attack, the medicine takes a while to work. I was breathing fine at the moment, but decided I better use the inhaler in my race belt during transition before I started running.

I had to take my sunglasses off about halfway through the ride. My sweat was dripping on the insides of the lenses and I couldn't see through them anymore!

Keep my HR out of zone 4 for so long.

Once I re-racked my bike, I pulled off my helmet, put on my rolled up socks and slipped on my shoes (with yankz) and sprayed on more sunscreen. Then I grabbed my race belt and visor and started to run (I put them on as I was running). As I ran out of transition, I took a couple puffs of my inhaler

Nothing

This run was a disaster from the beginning. I started running and began to feel poorly almost immediately. I started to struggle with my breathing. Even though I had used my inhaler running out of transition, I went ahead and used it again. It didn't seem to be working, so I had to slow to a walk. Also, the sweat was already pouring into my eyes. All I wanted to do during the first mile was to DNF. It was all I could do to keep moving. I thought if I could make it to mile 1, I could get a cold towel and wipe off my face. I thought that might make me feel better and maybe after a mile or 2, my breathing would improve.

When I got to the first aid station (at around 1.5 miles), they were out of cold towels. I couldn't believed it. I was done! I had continued through the aid station while I debated if I was going to quit or not. Then a volunteer came along that had collected some used towels. So, I turned around and went back to the aid station for one.

I struggled on for the next 5 miles. I ran when I could, but walked a lot. I walked through every aid station. I grabbed 2 cups of water at each. I added my concentrated Infinit to one and drank it. Then I would drink some of the water from the other cup or dump it over my head. I dumped the ice from the cups down my shirt.

I think I gave up mentally as much as physically during this section. Not only did I think about a DNF for this race, but wondered if I even wanted to do my other planned races for the year. I don't know how I ever thought I had a chance to qualify for Kona!

After about 6 miles, I started to feel better. I was able to breath normally again. So, I started running more. It was still a slow pace but at least it was a run. I actually started to pass people again. But I found it extremely hard to continue to run when EVERYONE around me was walking. I was also having pain in my right foot at this point. Below my big toe and my little toe were hurting. I have worn those shoes for 300 miles and never had this problem before. I ended up with a blister in both of the areas that hurt.

I need to work on my mental toughness. I used to be real good at blocking out pain and discomfort and pushing through. I don't know why I have struggled with that in the past year.

I got back into the lake to cool off. Even with all of the sunscreen I had applied during the race, I still had a sunburn on my back and shoulders!

I sweat tons during this race due to the heat and humidity. I don't think my clothes ever got any dryer than when I got out of the lake. And I chafed in places I have never chafed before. I knew I would sweat a lot during this race, so I applied a lot of body glide to all the normal chafe spots before the race. But somehow I ended up with some really bad chafing on my neck below my right ear. I have no idea what could have caused it.