my swimming has been down a LOT from last year, mainly due to a new job across the state, but regardless, as soon as i got in the water in the wetsuit, i knew it was gonna be a good swim.

got a fair start and was able to hang with the big boys for about 1/2 of the way out the bouy line. i was sighting pretty much perfectly, but it seemed that those around me were ziggin all over the place...b/c of this, i didn't get any drafting done, i figured id be better off swimming straight with no draft rather than all over the damn place with some feet.

not a thing, fastest HIM swim for me by 1:40

looking back:
pros: use body glide again on the ankles
cons: put shoes on pedals for this race, it was a toss up before the race, but should ahve ran barefooted

i wasn't too slow in this tho, usually i am a LOT slower than the competition in T1, not today

shoes on pedals

not sure on AG ranking, b/c the timing results dont sort the results that way...STUPID

anyway, like i said earlier, the goal was to race this as an ironman, smooth calm and calculated. i think i accomplished that. i was 3rd outta the water, so it sucked having ppl FLY past me on the bike, but i was at peace with that, i just kept smiling at the spectators, and enjoying the ride. very little effort was used on this ride, overall was very very happy with my effort and my bike fitness

not much, i biked well for my goals

slipped on the kinvaras and my thin socks....yes socks with a sockless shoe, but during my test run, i noticed a blister on my little toe, the socks worked great and i was blister free

get the rock outta my shoe first

pretty much the best run ive had at a HIM (almost beat my open half time actually, even though ive only run 1 open half)

started with a comfortable pace (haha, or so i thought) 1st mile was 645. 2nd 630, 3rd 635, 4th 635 5th 635!! it was awesome tho, felt great up to this point

i was passing dudes left and right, except for 2..they hung about 10 feet behind me for miles 3-6. right around 6 i needed to slow up and get some aid station goodies. so i walked and got some water, felt much better, but the guys were not in front of me. at the turn around i saw that i was in the middle of nowhere. faster guys in front, and holding pace, the fast women were behind, making me nervous! haha

last couple of miles were a ton of fun, haha, not really! just tried to hold onto the sub 8 pace. i think i accomplished that...i was right at 70:45 on the 10 miler and ran a 25 last 5k, so not too bad...

not a thing...love my gel taking stagety...i used to get stomach issues whenever i took a gel, even if i knew i needed it (like mile 7 of a 1/2 mary) i never really thought about it, i just knew ppl took gels in about 30 seconds.

well, after talking with a buddy, she mentioned taking the gel over several minutes/miles. BINGO this worked like a charm, and while my calories were a little low on the run, i still mananged to get through with no stomach issues. THANKS LORI!

i stopped moving, it was beyond excellent


a relaxed bike split


Its getting better...but for a race that has been a staple of the NW for 30 years, the growing pains for a new RD is getting a little old.

congrats to NW boys michael gordon and ben greenfield...amazing athletes!