The lake was beautiful. There was a bit of a steam over the lake which dissipated as the sun arrived at race time. The lake was warmer than the air. Everyone kind of jumped in after getting the pre-race briefing and paddled around to get warmed up. They didn't mind everyone swimming around before the race either.

The race start was in 5 waves. The race was on a private beach. It began as a in water start. There was really no start line. Everyone in the wave kind of just moved in chest deep in water and waited for the horn. Then everyone took off for an easy out and back. 5 buoys lined the course where you swam clockwise around them keeping them on your right. There were several people with wetsuits on. Most people however didn't wear one.

I took off, I started in the middle and went straight to the last buoy and back and felt real good. Passed a few people from the previous wave kind of just floating in the middle of the water on there back. I was assuming they were just resting so I did a little bit of maneuvering. As I exited the water I ran a little bit on sand to the timing mat where I ran down the long deck to my transition spot. Since I got a spot near the bike out I did not have to worry about the sand on my feet as it came off from running on the deck. No need to wash the feet.

I would probably work on getting faster. I felt really good in the water and had no problem with sighting. I have to work on speed as swimming is my strength.

As I ran down the deck to my spot, I took off the goggles and swim cap. I got to my spot and I got one of those what the heck do I do now moments haha. I threw my socks, shoes, glasses, helmet on and then grabbed my bike and took off. Short run to the bike out.

I did transition quickly as it only took me 1:53. Ranked 77th.

I would try to have my shoes in my pedals so I don't have to run with those clips under my feet that make it hard to run very far.

Ran out and got to the bike mount. Hopped on and took maybe one extra second to get going on the bike. The air was chilly after the swim. I was a bit cold for about 2 miles into the race before I felt comfortable. I never did a brick with the swim/bike except once at the gym but I changed clothes before biking on the bike. The race was contested on country roads which were very lightly trafficked. You had to keep to the right as there were a few cars here or there passing you on the road. I almost felt like a lot of people were drafting as everyone was on the right side of the road but there really wasn't anything you could do because it was a one lane road and there were cars trying to pass you.

The roads were paved roads with some patchy areas here or there where work was done on the road. The corners were a bit bumpy and you have to take your time going around them but that could just be me as I slowed down quite a bit on all the turns so I wouldn't wipe out. Did I mention watch out for the speed bump around mile 7-8.

My bike felt really good. I was riding real fast when I started. I was averaging over 19mph at the beginning I guess because of the adrenaline. I had my garmin with me and tried keeping my speed up and fast the whole time. My garmin was reading 17.8mph toward the end of the ride but the race report read 18.8mph so I am assuming the course was a bit short. My garmin was saying around 12.75 miles. I wouldn't go exactly by that though as I was kind of spaced out in the transition and bike and I hit the start button after I made the first turn. Stayed aero as much as possible. I rode real hard the whole time. I got passed by several really fast bikers and passed maybe 3 or 4 slower people.

Around mile 3-5 my lungs started to scream. I am not sure if it was the cold that shocked them or maybe I wasnt drinking enough. The back of my throat down my esophagus was a hurting. I took a few sips of water and it helped a little bit. I think I might try to take a gel next time and see if that helps a little bit.

Around the 5 or 6 mile mark I thought I had a flat tire because when I was riding I felt like the back of my bike was slipping out from underneath me. I wasn't sure why it was doing that. I'm not sure if maybe it was because I pumped my tires up the night before however didn't practice take them for a spin first. As I made turns I could feel the back end of the bike slide through the corner as I turn. I wasn't sure, I thought maybe it was because I braked a bit but that usually never happens when I corner. I assume its because I was probably going faster than usual through the corner, possibly too much air in the tire, braking a little, little bumpy corners, or just crappy tires that came with my bike (continental ultra race tires on alex 220). Also on a few straight aways I could feel the back slipping around and I thought I had a back flat and started to worry for a second there but luckily I did not. All in my head haha. I was close to even stopping to check but I kept trotting along and wishing it wasn't because I never changed the back tire before, just the front and it would of been a nightmare to have it happen lol.

I would work on cornering more consistently. I still feel a little wobbly around turns and I get on the horns and brake as I enter the corners. I also have to work on my speed and get faster. Only been riding for 2 months now. I have a lot of work to do to get faster and to up that speed. I also need to work on nutrition and keeping from getting tired or all worn out.

After the ride I wobbled off the bike. Tried to go faster and should of just came to a complete stop and then hopped off slower than how I did. The shoes with the big clunker clips on the bottom aren't easy to run or settle your feet on the ground with. I had a short run to my transition spot as I was very close to bike-in so I didn't have to run far for that.

Got my bike racked, shoes ripped off, forgot to unsnap the last velcro strap on both shoes so I just yanked them off. Then I threw my shoes on and grabbed my race belt and I was off.

Transition time 1:14. Ranked 78th for T2

See if I can get the shoes off as I get to transition on the bike and then hop off more gingerly.

This is where I kind of just lost it. I've done many bricks before but this time I just felt terrible. I ran down the transition area to the run course and then started running. As I got to 0.25 mile I had to walk already. I was exhausted. I started to run again and then I started cramping up pretty badly on my right side. I couldn't get even a quarter mile without having to stop running. I knew I was going to have to do a run/walk sort of thing the whole time as I never ran 3 miles in practice without stopping. The most I went was 2 miles continuously and I was exhausted (that was without biking before).

The first mile was the hardest. I was cramped up and my legs would not run. I probably ran 0.1-0.2 miles and then walked 0.05 for the first mile or two. Then I got to the water station. I walked the water station, no surprise and then tried to run after the water. My stomach started to cramp up even worse after the water. I could barely make it even a few steps. I knew this was going to be a long run for me. My goal was to get under 30 min. In practice i've done 28 mins.

I think I was probably the only person on the course walking part of it. I swear I must of been so slow lol. I think I saw maybe one person walking besides me. A lot, lot, lot of people passed me on the run, but I was expecting that. A couple other runners were giving me encouraging comments like keep it going and almost there. I was thankful for those and tried to run more.

After I got to mile 2, my stride started to kick in. I made a half mile run without problem and no stopping. I walked about 0.4 miles from the end because I knew I wanted to finish strong and then ran the rest of it in.



I need to work on my run. I ran one other 5k and I did that in 35min, so this is an improvement in 2 months training. I knew this would be the hardest part but I need to work on running more. I know over the winter I plan on running 4-5 or more days a week because I dont want to be the one who walks every quarter mile like I did today. Very upset with myself on the run.

After the race I had a cup of water, banana, and a clif bar. Then sat around for 5 minutes and the preliminary results were posted literally a few minutes after I finished. They were fast at posting them. Time was correct but placement wasn't definitive yet.

The food layout was water/lemonade/juice, granola bars, bananas, variety of sandwiches, fruit cups.


Several things limited my ability. I would have to say the nutrition on the bike as my lungs were screaming hurt for a while on the bike. Also I completely washed out on the run and need to get better in it. Hopefully this winter I can get a lot better. I have one more race before then but luckily its a shorter run so that is good lol.


I really liked the race. It was a perfect first race. The setting was lovely. I never rode or went on the course but the place it was done was very nice. The race was a little unorganized with transition but other than that it was great, especially since it was the first annual triathlon. There was a lot of great competitors there that were supportive as well as the crowd. Crowd support was at the swim out/run out/finish line. On the bike course there were a few people cheering outside their houses. Everyone was really great and nice. They were all very encouraging. I would definitely recommend this race for a first timer and maybe return again next year.