(My actually swim time was 45 min according to my watch. The additional time includes a 100yd + run up a rather steep and long boat ramp) This actually went rather well compared to my usual performances and considering this was twice as long. We had a choice of starting from either along the dock or the beach. I figured I was better off along the dock 1. b/c it seemed closer to the bouy 2. there were less people and you could only be one person deep along the dock. The first lap was pretty good for me. By the second bouy I could even sight rather well. However, on teh second lap I had a little spook after the first bouy as I SWEAR there was some kind of current (in this rather calm lake) that was pulling me in the WRONG direction. Almost felt like I was being sucked towards the bank. Then on the second stretch of that loop the fast sprinters were catching me. I tried to hang on to them and draft, but no, that doesn't work for this amatuer. :( I was way ready to get out by the time I approached the boat ramp. I walked up the ramp and slowly started pulling my wetsuit off and my cap and gog's.

Swim more. Maybe learn how to breast stroke for when I DO need to catch my breath.
As well, hubby did mention that the lake was getting a little choppy as I was getting out. Might have timed that well.

I've got to figure out the trick to getting the suit off w/ out having to sit down to get it over my heels.

THE PAVEMENT SUCKED!!!! Made chipseal look like high technology pavement!!
Holy crap! NOt even ten miles into this ride I swore that if I'm ever dumb enough to do this race again it WILL be on either a mtn or cyclocross bike!! It's an old chipsealed service road for the interstate that has cracks in every direction w/ weeds even growing through some of them. At one point I could not even drink from my aerobottle without jabbing myself in the mouth or lip. :( NTL, it seemed like this was a VERY hard ride for me, of which it shouldn't have been. Perhaps it was b/c of my disappointment in the road quality or b/c I was wiped out from the swim. I figured that while I wasn't making good time up the first big hill that I'd take that time to eat a gel (@ about mile 10). That's the only thing I ate on the bike. Finally we came to a point where it was all worth it. We reached the top of the second climb w/ spectacular view of the lake below while passig in between to red rock cliffs.

Use inhaler in last mile of bike.
Get bike cptr fixed so I can use it to monitor my pace better.

Totally forgot to grab the inhaler out of my bento box. Yep, I regreted it later :(

Use the inhaler!!!

Uh Boy :( I've got to do more bricks. The run out was a LONG drawn out SLOW GRADUAL climb, but you knew you were climbing. This really killed me. Though coming back was easier. Meanwhile, about a mile into it, I noticed my breathing getting raspier. Once I was back on the pavement I couldn't run very long without feeling major chest congestion. Coming back as I was able to run and push it a little more, I was able to get a resp. rhythm going and maintain it.

More bricks.
As well, I brought a water bottle (just a regular ole' bottle) out on the course with me for the first half to help wash down my gummy bee's. I think I liked having it out there. Then I ditched it at the station at the 2 or 2.5 mi mark. It was nice to have it, but then it became bothersome, esp hearin gthe water swish around when I needed to pee.

Well... it was more of a fall down than warm-down. It was also a VERY anti-climatic finish. This was my first Olympic and I knew I wasn't going to place or do anything spectacular, but I hoped for a reasonable time. While I really would've rathered to have finished closer to 3:30, I'm not heartbroken by coming in just under 4:00 either. By the time I got to the finish line, there was ONE person there to hand me a little (warm) bottle of water and take my chip. As I tried to get over to the side to sit so he could take my chip, he was adament about taking it RIGHT THERE!!! Geez... So I bent over while he grabbed it then went around to get my inahler (as that I couldn't really breath). WTH, transition was not only empty but half of the racks were torn down. I had to PUSH someone who was getting ready to take the rack down near mine out of the way so I could get to my inhaler in the Bento box. I grabbed it and fell sitting to suck on it for a little bit. I was actually starting to cry thinking I was in deep shit as that it felt like my airway had swollen shut. NO ONE seemed concerned that I couldn't breath!!!! ( I was seated 10 yds in FRONT of the amulance and EMT personel, WTH???) Finally someone came over to check on me. By this time I was able to breath enough that I could speak. I don't think I've had an attack like that since high school, was very scary. Finally I was able to crawl over to gather my stuff into my bag. Was EXTREMEMLY disappointed b/c I figured that all the fruit and postrace food was gone (it was no where near the finish line). HUbby grabbed my wetsuit and I slowly got everything else. I FINALLY spotted the food as they were putting it away.


My ashtma flare (which had been bothering me the week earlier from a painting project)
Moving jobs totally interrupted my training the week or two beforehand.


Start delay - I know it was cold outside, but the water wasn't. was it necessary, REALLY???
Swim - scary on safety. There was one see-doo that I saw. Two kayaks and one boat. Just didn't seem like a lot of people.
Bike - There were no vehicles circling the course. If I would've crashed on the rough road, I would've been at the mercy of a passing motorist on the interstate or a race participant flagging down one of those motorist. There were volunteers directing traffic at mile 15 and a run water station at about mile 24. Even the cop that was at about mile 5 did not circle when he was cleared at his post, instead he must've gone straight back.
As well, runners were going out and bikers coming in on the same route. Not a problem, unless runners are running ALL OVER THE ROAD!!!! I actually had to weave in and out of runners before I got back to the park!!! I didn't even mention the people riding their bikes on the wrong side and drafting. (BTW, this was NOT a closed course)
Run - I actually don't have anything to complain about here, except that the plywood over the cattle guard probably should've been wider than one person. But I was so far back it didn't affect me.
Transition/Finish Line - I was the third to last person in. While pickin gup my transition area I heard them say it was okay to pick up the finish line - there were TWO MORE people out there!!! All the race awards were done. My husband said they flew through the raffles (while there were still alot of people out on the course). If you weren't in and your number was called you were SOL.
It's a pity this race sucked so bad, b/c the venue was AWESOME!!! (just need better pavement)
At this point in time I'm not sure I'll ever do another race w/ this group again. I was very disappointed b/c I've done their's before and it wasn't so bad, until I remembered that it is the ONLY race where I've ever come head to head w/ a vehicle and been run off the road (due to runners and bikers on a tight neighborhood street)
They REALLY should consider sanctioning this race. Perhaps if they followed some of the sanctioning requirements and had more people on the course, it would be better and SAFER!!!