I was jabber jawing with TracyV right up til our wave start. Found myself in the front row/inside. Thought to myself...what am I doing here? This is too far up...UGHHH! After initial panic attack because I always start at the back/outside, I decided to try it and reminded myself NOT to gulp the ecoli filled water. Well that was a bad move. The water was shallow enough to the first bouy that most of the women walked or did dolphin dives all the way. This was a bummer as I wanted to swim and would get kicked every two second trying. Then came the bouy.....water was too deep for the walkers now and I got stuck in the mele of confusion. It took forever to get around that first bouy...or at least a few seconds. Was able to swim the next leg-o-the swim but was so exhausted from fighting that my breathing was completely out the window. I was breathing on every right stroke. Never really got into a rhythm but plugged away anyway. Turned the final bouy, which was much more controlled this time since I put myself on the outside and swam almost half way to shore. Water was very shallow at this point so I did the dolphin dives as long as possible. Came up with a face full of seaweed on the last dive. Does anyone remember Sigmund the Seamonster? Looked at my watch and was happy to see just over 7 minutes. Could it be that I have possible stepped up my "swim" a little, or was the course short? I am always pessimistic when I see a better time than when I am in the pool.

2008 time 8:20
2009 time 9:43

Go back to starting at the back and outside so I can control my surrounding better....at least until I am an olympic caliber swimmer.

The run from the beach to the transisiton area was pretty far, but I am not sure where the timing mat was. Whatever,I just suck at transition. I HAVE to sit down to take off my wetsuit. I also put my socks on cuz I baby my feet.

2008 3:28
2009 2:42

Get faster.

This course was not 12 miles so my time is deceiving. They had me at 19+ mph based on a 12 mile course. I put in my actualI thought I was cruising along pretty nicely. Then those wretched hills came along. I need to get my derailleur switched as it will not do as it is told. If I ever got on my bike to train, I should probably put some time in on hills. They are my weakness.

2008 48:24 (full 12 miles)
2009 35:48 (for some reason they shortened the course)

Train more on the bike.

I have tried yanks/race laces and they don't work for me. I have to tie my shoes. I did remember to grab my bib and hat to put on while running though.

Lean to run barefoot:)

I didn't strap my bike shoes too tight, so I could feel my feet when I got off the bike. Felt great on the run. Felt strong and tall. Clint had the garmin so I was just "occasionally" checking my watch for pace. I love, love love this run. Passed alot of people. Had to snicker at one woman as we turned off the trail to the meadow. She thought the finish line was right there so she sped by me. Then she saw the finish line on the opposite side of where she was running....imagine the dissappointment on her face. I caught her and asked if she was surprised she wasn't finished yet...her reply was "I never did see the two mile marker"....that's cuz it was just ahead.

2008 29:40
2009 28:13

I dunno, my mind is always in the game, just gotta turn the legs faster. Very happy with this result.

Walked around and chatted with some bt'ers. Waited for Clint to come in off the olympic course. Twas a bit chilled from no sun and really wanted to get dry clothes, but didn't want to miss Clint. Found my results, happy to see I took 4th in my AG...was scared to see how much I missed hardware by...it was 3+ minutes, so I am a-okay with this. Had some water and a quarter bagel. Guts were killing me all morning so I didn't want much.
I was picked out of the crowd to do a quick race for a free wetsuit...along with tracyv and two guys. Had to put on, buckle and take off a helmet three times. Best time won. I lost by about 2 hundredths of a second. That's okay, it was fun.


Probably my lack of training.


Had a great time as usual.