The swim waves were every 4 minutes, and I was out in time to wish the pink wave "Good Luck", so I know my actual swim time was under 8 minutes. I just took forever to get to the transition mat. Have to keep reminding myself in hindsight that I really was trying to keep my heart rate down.

Should have ran to the transition and then walked in transition.

I knew my transitions would be long, because I treated them like I'll be doing my half, so I went ahead and put on my bike shorts and my socks since I'll be on the bike four hours in that race. I wanted to see what problems I might have, and I may go ahead and wear tri shorts after all in the swim and bike. Although, taking an extra minute to put on good shorts seems worth it to be comfortable for almost four hours.

Ate most of a gel

Turn my computer on before the swim. I lost some data for the ride because the GPS wasn't ready.

I have a hard time believing the 519 rank. I passed a lot more people than the other way around. Again, I was watching my heart rate and not pushing it that hard, but still.

(I didn't know there are more people with bike times than actual finishers because of the DNF and DQ people. I hadn't realized they're in the segment results)

I'm not going to worry about the drafting penalties next time. I saw some officials, and I know they issued some penalties, but if I drop back for everyone that barely passes me, I'll never go anywhere. Most of the people that passed me had no where to go once they went by, and that's the same reason I hadn't passed the person in front of me. Most of the race was solid bike after bike after bike. This was the most discouraging part of the race.

Finished the gel, put on running shoes, visor, sunglasses, and race number belt.

Add chapstick and gum for the 1/2, and possibly some Aquaphor in my pocket. If I have sand in my sports bra from Lake Erie, I should know it by this point.

I had some calf tightness for the first .75 mile or so. I had too many walking breaks in the first half because of it. I ran most of the second half, except for part of a long hill.

I'm not sure. I got off the bike after about 40 miles the next day, and I ran with no problem. I hadn't worked out much the week before the race, so that might have been part of it.

Not much. I wasn't overly tired or sore after the race or in the car on the way home either.


I had decided not to "race" and that was the hardest part, especially since I knew so many people at the race.


More, smaller swim waves so that the bikes are spread out more. Maybe even 5 minute waves instead of four.