Felt great about the swim. My goal here was to swim the entire portion without going to a breast stroke and I did it. I had zero panic at any point, even with then big boys caught up to us and swam past. I kept a nice, steady pace and got it done!

I did swim off course once, but I caught it early on and got back in the mix. It can be so disorientating. Even though the bouys were different colors on each side of the triangle, seeing the previous bouys in my peripheral vision kept me drifting to my right.

Transition time for me was great. What was really cool is that a volunteer happened to be standing by my bike and saw me coming. He asked if I wanted to be stripped and I said heck yeah! I laid down right then and there and whooooosh! Off went the wetsuit!

Nothing, I did it as fast and as calmly as I could.

My bike was the best out of all three sports. I loved it!!! Friday night when I brought my bike into transition and saw all these cool tri bikes and roadies I felt very insecure about racking my little cyclocross with road slicks. I found early on in the race that fancy looking equipment does not equal speed. I passed plenty of fancy bikes--many on the climbs! I realized the engine counts for a whole lot more than dollars spent when you're a middle of the packer like me! I found myself whoooo-hooooing down hills and repeating out loud to myself "this is so frickin' FUNNNNN!" I did eat some Pepto chews along the way so I could avoid stomach issues on the run.

I don't know that I would've done anything differently. I executed my bike leg perfectly for me! Hit my goal on the bike as well. I said I'd be happy if I averaged anything over 17 and I did it!

I did run past my rack spot, but only by a few bikes so not a big deal. I did hit the porta potty before actually starting the run...I had to pee since the end of the swim but didn't want to stop on my bike to pee. Yes, I suppose I could've peed on my bike but I just couldn't bring myself to do it!

Find my bike spot right away rather than run past it. The bathroom stop was necessary--added to my transition time, but what's a gal to do...when you gotta go ya gotta go!

Well the run was an experience. My initial goal was to run the whole thing without walking. After I hit mile three I knew I had to start factoring in some walk breaks. So, I walked a bit when I felt I needed to and ran when my body said 'run'. Well, actually more like 'shuffle jog'. I was surprised how hard it was but took comfort in the fact that so many other people where doing the same thing. The first loop was the worst, the second loop was much much better. The aid stations were a a godsend and the oranges were manna from heaven. Best oranges I've ever had in my life! The run was a mental push for sure...but I did it!

Pay better attention to the weather. The last 30 minutes of the run cloud cover hit and the temps dropped significantly but I just kept thinking I'm running...I must be really hot, therefore keep dumping water over your head. The post race warm-down became a warm-up.

When I finished I immediately went in search of a Sprite--it just sounded so good at the time. Found one and took three big gulps and sat down. I immediately started shivering uncontrollably. Luckily I sat down right by the first aid room--I went inside and right away I had my own volunteer nurse. She wrapped in me in blankets, brought me broth, etc. What I didn't realize is that when the temps dropped I kept dumping water on myself and I was completely soaked from head to toe. Hubby brought me all my dry clothes and then left to get my bike, etc. Two of my friends stayed with me and held up blankets so I could change right there. Of course I hammed it up by humming the famous stripper tune and waved my bright pink bra over the top of the blankets for all to see. That got all the volunteers laughing and even some of the poor, sick souls that were laid up in the same room. Finally warmed up, thanked my nurse and was on my way!


Ummm...I guess I could've done more bike to run workouts? I don't know. The run was just plain hard!


For my first ever HIM and only second triathlon ever...I thought I did a great job. It was one year ago this weekend that I went and watched a triathlon for the first time...and here it is one year later and I do a HIM! I love this sport, love this lifestyle and am already thinking now I need to find an Olympic to do this summer...!