We were the third wave. I stood up front, and dove in between two women for a good position. The first 100, I felt like the whole wave was swimming together. It thinned out, and I kept my eye on a swimmer who I could see every time I took a breath on the left side. I had a lot of trouble navigating. It was sunny when you looked up, and my goggles were fogged. I even took my goggles off at one point to check where I was. I was fine, on course, but had some anxiety about that.

I had a great swim-1st in AG, 2nd for gender, 15th overall, so I'm very pleased. I am going to look into anti fog drops for my goggles, and need to learn to trust my swimming in a straight line a little better.

It says I was 1st in category for this. I don't really remember it. I got my cap and goggles off while running, put on my sunglasses, helmet and shoes (rehearsed this order prior to race, as in antoher race I had tried to put glasses on after helmet and had a hard time) and ran through the transition-we were 2 racks from the line, so it was a quick run. decided to run with shoes on my feet, rather than on bike, b/c we were so close.

Nothing.

I wasn't passed by another female until after the 1st lap (there was one in front of me, don't know if I passed her or not). My age group has some really stong, tough women! At the second turn around, there was a group of 3 women just up ahead of me, and they shouted (I think to me)-"catch the peleton!" very cool! but, I knew it would waste me to catch up, so I just tried to race my own race. I passed alot of people and got passed by quite a few, but I felt like I was having a great race on the bike. My pace wasn't any faster than my last race, which had 2 hills, but it felt faster. I had decided not to wear my watch so all throughout the race, I had no idea of time. This was good-so I could just race how I felt.

I'm getting some areo bars this week, hopefully. I think this will help, but ultimately, I need to BIKE MORE! we met a guy who lives around the corner and they have a small group that rides a few times a week, and leave from near our house..gonna hook up with them. His overall time in the race was 1 sec. faster than me (he's 20), but it was due to his swim. he's a strong biker, so that will be good.

I had a few technical difficulties...my cute skirt got a little caught on the elastic band. next time I will practice buckling it, or just fix it on the run. Also, fumbled with my socks and shoes a little. I was 7th in this transition (doh!)

go faster:)

I ran this pretty well. It took me well into what was probably a mile before I had my breath. Again, gotta get biking so I'm not so winded. I picked it up the last 1/2 mile, and passed someone who had passed me on the bike. I ran smart, but maybe could've run harder. Once I could breathe, I felt strong. Legs felt very strong.

Maybe push harder sooner. The 2nd place in my AG was about 45 sec. ahead of me, and I knew it would take a lot to catch her, so I just sort of let it go. Don't know if I could've caught her on the run, but her run time was 3 sec slower than mine.

Talked to Herdaughter and hermom, and a few other racers. met up with my husband and my friend who came to watch me. Drank 2 smart waters and ate a banana and 1/2 a bagel. Waited around for the medal ceremony.


my biking.


I really like this race. However, we picked up our shirts at the race (b/c they didn't include them in the race packet which was moldy from leaky power gel or something!), only to get home and see they were shirts from 2 races last year. not even the tradewinds 04 race, but 2 different races. now I don't race to get a shirt-have plenty, but I'd rather pay 40 v. 50 and get no shirt than a shirt from a race I never did!!! And I registered a month ago. My only gripe!