I swam, and I swam, and I swam, and I kept on swimming. I really had to resist the urge to look at my watch because it felt like it was taking freakin' forever. And when I got out, lo' and behold, it did take freakin' forever. No way that swim was only 1000 meters. Some said it was probably closer to 1300 meters, and that would make my overall pace more in the normal range...still slow, but well within expectation. Also, compared to the fast people, my time is about right. Still, this swim needs a lot more work.

I started probably a bit too far outside the first set of buoys. I was trying to avoid most of the fray, and that worked, I was swimming almost immediately, but that made my first turn very wide, and then I just had a difficult time getting back in the flow. I seemed to stay too far outside. Weird. Not usually an issue for me.

The water was murky at first but then pretty clear for a lake. I warmed up quickly and was comfortable, but I definitely need to just swim at a bit of a stronger pace. When we got to the far side of the lake, it became quite shallow again, and I even saw a couple of people stand up and walk (!). There was weedy stuff in the water catching my hands, going down my suit. Yuck. A few years ago that would have freaked me out. So glad I don't freak out anymore.

I could not find a draft, and I didn't do a very good job of sighting. Buoys were kind of hard to see, especially on the way back in. I got sandwiched at one point and had to come to a complete stop for a moment. When I realized we were finally almost done, I did kick it in a bit and start to pass people, but really, should have done that sooner.

Stay closer to the buoy line and swim stronger pace.

I am never wearing socks again...at least for the shorter races. (Or maybe not even on the bike at all.) I was in and out of transition in what seemed like no time. One lady, on the same rack, was already in and sitting on her bucket when I ran up from the lake. She was still on her bucket when I ran out. Suhweet. I had the 2nd fastest transition in my age group.

Finally learn how to put my shoes on on the bike. How much faster would that have been?

I thought I had a much faster overall pace because they had advertised the course as 19 miles. But now everything shows up as 18 (and course map has it at 17.8 or so). So, I will settle for the 19 mph pace. It still was among the fastest in my age group and top 30% of women, which for me is significant. I saw women who were behind me, and I kept thinking, that was me not that long ago.

I tried to settle into a pace without letting my heart rate jack up right away. The first section was flat, but the roads were pretty rough. I was glad I had my race wheels; they really smooth out the ride, if nothing else.

Almost immediately, I was playing cat and mouse with a 70-year old guy. Now, I am the biggest admirer of seniors in these races. I can only hope that I am able to race at any level at that age. However, this guy was a terrible cyclist. Granted the right hand sides of the road were rough, but he just kept drifting left without looking and kinda' scaring me. I would pass him if we had a roller to go up, and then he would pass me on the way down or on a flat. But he would start to drift in so close I could almost touch him and then almost cut me off at the front wheel to get back his position. Yeesh. He was riding to the right half the time anyway, why not just stay there? I finally was able to pass him for good.

So, yes, the roads were rough, and more so to the right, but I have never seen so many people ride to the left. I am not sure whether an official was out there, but I only saw one time penalty. Boo. Many people should have gotten position penalties. I did go around rough spots, but I stayed right unless I was passing.

Since it was an out and back, we had a hairpin turn, which I am really not comfortable with. But I did it just fine. Then, we were riding into the wind a lot. I think the wind was picking up about then, too. I know there were a couple of spots that I slowed considerably because of the wind and slight uphill.

In the final stretch, had another guy cat and mouse me. Again...wanted to hang out in the left. What was with these folks? Slight uphill to the end was more than he could handle, so I had to go all the way over to the left to get around him. Yeesh.

I felt great coming in, though, and was ready to run.

Possibly hit it a little harder, but really felt as if I had a good ride.

If I go without socks, I definitely need to lube the feet more. Shoes were a little sticky to get on. (4th in age group.)

Slippier feet.

I really wanted to run, but I knew we were headed uphill right after transition, so I pulled back a bit. Then, it was run at pace, but stay relaxed. I focused running "lightly" up the hills and then cruising down or maintaining pace on the flats. I passed at least 2 other ladies in my age group on the run, so no doubt this is where I was able to place.

Nothing. I am very pleased with where my run is right now and how strong I feel off the bike.

At the finish line, they hand you a pint glass, and then the choices are water, beer, and margaritas. First, I had water, and then a margarita, and then a beer.I think that sufficed for a warm-down.


Slow start on the swim and then a bit of a sluggish performance. I need to gain more confidence in my swim overall.