First: I was very excited about my time in the swim. I had "budgeted" 28-30 minutes for the swim, so finishing in under 26 was great.

However, the start was definitely rushed. I was not even in the water yet when they announced that our wave was starting in 5 seconds. So, I ran faster, jumped in the bay and tried to make my way as quickly as possible to the front of the wading swimmers. Unfortunately (obviously), I was in the back half when the race started. So, I spent the next 5 or so minutes trying to get through and away from the mass of swimmers. It was actually the first swim I have ever experienced the real difficulties related to mass swim starts. I got popped in the face a couple times and did my fair share of accidentally swimming over other people.

Also, the exit out of the bay was less than preferable. It involved climbing up a ramp (aided by the hands of volunteers) and then running up wet wooden stairs.

Being more prepared to start the race would have been helpful, but on the plus side the fast start did not give me much time to be nervous.

I got stuck between making decisions to swim around people (and not as directly to and/or around the bouys) or try to make my way through the people (and swim more directly). I chose to swim a bit out of the way and avoid the people. I am not sure if I would make that decision again.

Well, my T1 at my last race was 3:16. Obviously no transition area is the same, but I am sure there was some improvement in my speed.

I choose at the last minute to only take one water bottle. (Hey, there were lots of hills and I already weigh enough). It ended up being a great decision. As the one bottle got me through until the 2nd water station.

Speed laces.

I did it (hills and all) and my time was not too bad. I was secretly hoping to get the bike done in 1:30:00 even though I budgeted up to 1:45:00.

Parts were very difficult with the drafting rule. When 50 people are going up a huge hill no one is going to slow down or speed up their tortured pace to make sure they are 3 bike lengths behind the person in front of them. At points I ended up killing my legs to sprint past someone up a small hill who was really only going a tiny bit slower than I was.

Train on hills in the future. Better turning and cornering. Be able to ride faster.

My T2 time last race was 0:57, so this was an improvement as well.
I even chilled for a few seconds to drink some water.

Well, I am really slow. Obviously, this is the part of my race that needs the most work.

The lack of shade was a killer. And, at the end I defintely needed more water. But, I did manage to do the whole thing running except for a short walk at the water stations. Which was good since I wanted to give up and walk a lot more.

Also, I even managed to make a friend on the run. This man in front of me stopped up the big (shadeless) hill and when I caught up with him I was like "Come on. Let's go." He picked it up and eventually managed to put 30 yards or so between us again. After the final water station (1.15 miles or so to go), he stopped again and I caught up with him. I told him "let's go" again and "you are going to finish the race before me". He made a joke and picked it up to a run. We ran close together for a bit and then he upped the pace and made it to the finish 50 yds or so before me. After I came in he stopped to thank me. In convincing him to keep running, I had to refuse to let myself give up as well. It felt good to help each other finish strong.

Alright, I guess I just do not feel comfortable pacing out my runs. I am constatly afraid that I will go too fast and not be able to make it back.

I watched a bunch of people pass me breathing hard, meanwhile I could probably have been having a small conversation with anyone who would have stopped to run with me. Granted by the end my body was super tired. I guess the point might be that my cardio is ahead of my muscles and my head doesn't have enough experience to trust a faster pace. More training it is...

Tried to find water as quickly as possible. :) Stretched a bit.


Rushed start in the swim and my own lack of adequately training.

Although, I guess I should give myself some credit. It is only my 2nd triathlon, I have only been really training for 8 weeks, and I have only been on my bike for a month and a half.

So, all in all a good effort and race. Nothing to be ashamed of and room to improve for next time.


Really enjoyed the music both before and after the race. I got a nice mug from USAT because it was a Mid-Atlantic Championship race. It was also the best race "goody" bag I have received to date.

Well-organized and well-run. I'll be there next year.