I never got my swim down. I was passed in the first 100 meters. Then I passed one, then I was passed again and again. I have not swam enough lately. An excuses would be that I have been sick for about 3 weeks and had a lot of chest congestion. Every breath I took seemed like it was not enough air and I couldn’t hold it long enough to breath on both sides, so I breathed from right side only on every other stroke. Bonnie had about 3 or 4 people in front of her when I got out of the pool.

Swim lots for a month before and not be sick!

I was OK at T1. I would have liked to be faster, but this is about normal for me. I am not sure how much time was saved by having my shirt on for the swim. I swam in my shirt so I didn’t have to fight it and I did not put gloves on for bike. Socks and new tri shoes went on fine. I had a bottle of water and a bottle of Poweraid but only drank about 1/4 of each, not sure why I didn’t drink more. I put a Hammer Gel in the leg of my shorts for later. My spot was at the far end of transition area, it was a long run to bike mount area.

I need to learn how keep shoes on bike for both start and finish of ride. Also maybe ride and run without socks.

I had a very hard time getting my shoe on BOTH pedals! I think I was stopped at the timing mat for 20 seconds just trying to get my lead foot in, then I could not get the other in for a few pedal revolutions. Michael was at the mat helping and took some pics. I think I need new (different) pedals.

Once in, I got up to speed very quickly and had a fast cadence while trying to catch my breath from the swim. I was in my groove within 2 miles. I tried to focus on speed, not to go fast, but rather to stay under 23mph. I wanted to save some for the run. At one point I was going 26mph and backed it down. I judge this was a very good bike race. I played "tag" with two others. I would pass them, then they passed me, then I passed them. I kept the final pass on both of them, so i say I was not passed once (at least not passed and stayed passed). I had a water bottle on frame AND an Areodrink bottle on my areo bars, but I only drank less than 1/4 of the Areodrink and never touched the other bottle. When I train, I drink lots, at least 1 full bottle every 10 miles. I don’t know why I didn't drink more water. I didn’t feel dehydrated at all. I ate my Hammer Gel at mile 7 and drank a little water after. I looked for Bonnie but did not see her.


I should have drank more water.
I need to learn how keep shoes on bike for both start and finish of ride. And learn how to jump on bike and dismount while riding.

Coming into transition, I went down the wrong row! It took me a few seconds to figure out I was on the wrong one. I kept the same socks on for ride and run. I had a few sips of water and poweraid.


Go down the correct row! Drink more water and poweraid.

The run was good. I thought I was faster than I was and I am a little bummed about the time. I was passed by many and passed a bunch too. I ran at a consistent pace and did not feel like I was slowing down. It felt a lot faster than it was. I saw Bonnie twice on the run, once in mile 1 and then again in mile 3. We said "great job" and "love ya" and kept on hammering. In the 3rd mile, I saw a man that was struggling, he said he was going to quit! I asked him why, he said he thought he was better than this, I told him he was better and to come run with me. I asked him what his neighbors were doing, he said "not this"....He ran the rest of the way with me. We also "picked up" 2 others that were having a hard time. One slowed back down and started walking, the other finished not far behind us. There were cold, wet finisher towels at the finish line-nice!

RUN FASTER.

When I finished, Michael was waiting with a high five. I immediately had to go to the bathroom, I found the first porta-can I could find. Michael was walking up with water in one had and a Gatorade in the other, this was the nicest thing. I am not sure if i even thanked him, but it was very much appreciated. If you are reading this THANK YOU!!! I then walked to the corner to wait for Bonnie. She came around the corner and I started running with her. An official told me to put my number on, when I told him I was running with her, he yelled at me to get off the course, said it was pacing. I quickly left and ran along side, I wanted to be at the finish for her. We hugged and kissed when she crossed. It was awesome.


When I started Triathlons last year, this was my very first race. I had a goal to do it this year 3 mins faster than last (2004-1hr 13min). I did it almost 4 1/2 mins than last years race (2005-1hr 9min). YES!!!!

I was almost more concerned with Bonnie's race than mine. I was so excited for her. She did great. She finished in 1hr 12mins, 1 min faster than my time last year.

I really like this race. It is well organized and fun to do. The other racers are great and the volunteers are wonderful.