floated in water to get adjusted to temperature and to calm my breathing. started way to inside on right (close to buoy) - - lots of swimmers crowding the left side (??? trying to stay away from others??). Great beginning - sighting the buoy, rounding the buoy; next 50yards good -- got off-track - kayak stopped me - -had to head back out - into crowd of swimmers (all doing breast or side stroke) - rounded second buoy - real good!! -- really tired - - short of breath - - could not catch my breathe (need more aerobic training) had to side stroke, back stroke to finish last 100 yards --- strong finish, waded and stroked hands while walking, ran through transition, pulling down wetsuit and taking off cap, goggles and earplugs - winded

besides practing to get better aerobic capacity so I'm not out of breathe???? - all in all - - I was VERY happy with the swim - - -

had to dry off and put on shorts, shirt, socks and shoes - - - next time a tri-suit will shave a good minute or two off of my time - - gloves seem to take too long to put on????

tri-suit under wetsuit - - - shoes on bike???

awesome bike ride - -- good exit (uphill); gear changes smooth - - good speed down hill helped with uphill - kept up pace once inside park (others slowed down??? - turns?) excellent dismount - little tricky mount - but solid start and finish. Remembered to drink my water, had my first gel pak as planned, - forgot the second gel pak - - -drank gatorade to prepare for run (none provided by event). good hard bike without completely exhausting myself - nice job!!

need more strength on uphill - - others would pass me on the up hill - - I would fly past them on the down hill and they would catch me on the uphill (ummm).

feet out of clips - -did not take feet out of shoes - - -ran with bike, did not think to take off helmet?? quick change though - very fast transition!!! - - did not wear glasses - - no sun - -run was shaded

need to learn to dismount while moving and to get feet out of shoes so I can get into running shoes faster

that first mile is tough!!! had to run/walk - - - better than last run - - felt stronger at the start - run felt good (my calves started to clench up a little at the begining - - took long strides to stretch them out) - once at the one mile mark, breathing is normal and rest of run is good --- not my fastest, but getting better every time!!!

pour it on at the end - - -wasn't sure where the end was - -wanted to finish strong - - ended up jogging in (blahh.....)

walked a little - -did not take long to get breath back - - got a bagel with cream cheese (ate 1/4 of it) - had fruit chews (great!!) and a diet coke and talked to other women.


strength in bike and aerobics in both the swim and the run


Really enjoyed this - - great to see what other women wear for each of the events - -swim was comfortable - -lots of women at the back of the pack - need to get in middle of pack away from those that hold me back - I'm getting stronger and better - -really proud of the bike performance - first time on significant hills (after only one ride with BBC on hills) - love going downhill at 28-20 MPH!!