After having spent time in the water before the race, I was only a sniff nervous. I was in the last wave so started 45’ after the actual race began. I kept getting in the water to avoid the jitters of standing around. Wave had about 50 people in it, all females. Started right on the buoy line. I was fine starting, had some anxiety, but slowed down my breathing and that helped. I did stop once after swallowing a load of water, but then kept going. Had to work around lots of breast strokers and avoid getting kicked by them. I always get caught up in the buoy turn so that probably wasted some time. Otherwise, swim went fine (no stomach issues since it was such a short distance) and I stayed on line. I didn’t wear a watch so had no idea how I did until I got home. So typical, mid pack results despite hours in the pool. Some people were born to race on land!



Learn to swim faster. WOW, I am sick of saying that.

This is my best T1 ever. I simplified my set up a lot.

Get faster at the process.

Best bike split to date--first race over 20mph and first in my AG!! Woo-Hoo!Thanks Brett! I went out as hard as I could the whole time. I did have to stop coming out of T1 because a car got stuck on the bike course, but that only wasted seconds. Legs were burning and I think my gear changes were solid. There were a couple of times where I have the IM mindset--gear down to go up hills and then I slapped myself and said NO!

Ingested both H20 and Gatorade throughout the ride.

*This was supposed to be only 16m, but was .5m long.

Learn how to take corners tighter so I never have to brake. Stay aero 100% of the time.

So easy when nutrition isn’t involved. Was in and out quicker than normal.

Need to run the whole way with my bike to the rack vs. walk a little.

I wasn’t sure how my legs would feel after the bike. I started running right away, and then stopped briefly for H20 out of T1. Started again and felt like I was running hard. I was breathing like a freight train, checked my HR and it was 160 which seemed low. Once I hit 1m, I tried to step it up and breathe deeper which helped. I got to the turn around, grabbed H20 and was able to goose it up some more (I did walk to drink that H20 and probably should have run). HR check was closer to 164. I got to the final turn and increased my RPE again. I looked at the 1m and 2m split, but nothing else. In retrospect, I think I could have increased my effort more at the turn, not sure about the first half. Ok with #3 in my AG, but if I went harder I could have moved up!

Harder effort from start.

5' run/5' walk, 16oz H20


Overall, happy with performance. I really wasn't expecting to place in my AG at this race since it's more competitive.Didn't even know it until I got home.

The swim remains an opportunity area for sure, but think my more likely upside will come from improving my run and then the bike.

I really enjoyed doing short course racing. There is something really fun about being able to go as hard as you can and try to hold on. Must keep that in mind for next year's race schedule.


I would definitely do this race again. Rock Lake is clean and the run course a dream.