Boy did this swim SUCK! I decided to try starting in the front middle, which made for a VERY rough start. Got kicked repeatedly, once almost knocking off my goggles. I was so pumped I started off very hard trying to hold my position. I got a lungful of water and before I knew it I was in the middle of an asthma attack. I used a combination of breast stroke, doggie paddle and backstroke out to the first buoy. I was terrified, I thought for sure I was going to drown! Backstroking and looking at the sky and breathing finally calmed me down enough to swim freestyle but I still felt out of synch and I had to breathe every stroke for most of the swim. Then when I finally felt a little better-somewhere between the second and third buoys- I guess I was still disoriented because twice I tried to swim to the last buoy instead of to the third, losing me a lot of time in going at least 100 yards off course.

WARM UP BEFORE I GET IN THE WATER!!! That was just dumb. From now on I simply HAVE to make warming up a priority. I didn't warm up at all then I jumped into the water and went out hard, after several weeks of "twitchy" asthma. I know better than this.

I was dizzier than usual and still having trouble breathing. First thing I did was grab my inhaler. I was shaking so I fumbled a bit getting my wetsuit off and bike gear on. Used my inhaler.

At this point there was nothing I could do differently.

The first few miles were straight into the wind with a few hills. I was still struggling pretty hard and honestly didn't think I would finish. I thought of how much I'd wanted to just go full out in this race, then I thought "The only way I'm going to DNF is if I get picked up off the pavement and wake up in the medical tent!" Tried to drink at 15 minutes but I needed all the room in my throat for air. I just kept plugging and used my inhaler some more. Around mile 8 my chest loosened up and suddenly I could get in all the air I wanted. After that I had a GREAT ride and focused on making up for lost time.(altho the hills were never as easy as they should have been). Caffeinated gel at the 40 minute point and carbo-pro every 10-15 minutes.

Not much I could have done differently.

Nothing really. I had left my shoes tied - DOH! Even Ashley remembered to untie hers! So I lost a few seconds untying one...I just stuffed my foot into the other one.

Uh...untie my running shoes BEFORE I get to t2?

Had to use my inhaler again at the beginnng of the run. Had a gel around mile 1 and walked the first water station. Part of a gel at mile 4 but got my water on the run. Skipped the rest of the aid stations. I still can't believe my pace...someone must have made a mistake somewhere. And my leg hardly hurt at all (maybe those 4 ibuprofen LOL!)

The thing I love about this run course is you are passing people going the opposite direction, so if you have friends who are racing you get a chance to see them and give/get some encouragement. I saw MarkK and Bmax, which was awesome :)

Nothing.

Look around for other BTer's and watch Bmax finish her FIRST OLY (of many!) Went to the sports med tent for some assisted stretching.


Asthma. Not being completely prepared in T2.


Second time I've done this race and I love it. I took about 6 minutes off of last years time, which I didn't think I'd be able to do so I'm really really happy!