I was really nervous about the swim before the race. I had not done 800 in open water this season - only in the pool. I got over the jitters very quickly after the race started. The water was clearer than Beaver Lake or Cottage Lake, and I just felt better with it not being so dark. I have not figured out the drafting yet. I end up behind swimmers who are slower than me, then I need to get around them and then I am not the best navigator, so I get off track.

I think I should start more in the middle and not at the back.

Loooong run from the water to T-1. I staged my flip flops at the swim exit because I cannot run on pavement, my feetsies are too sensitive. Very glad that I did.

4/19
31/109

I took it pretty easy on the bike. My training has taken a hit the last week and a half due to work overtime. I really wanted to be sure that I had gas in the tank for the hilly run. I had a fun ride :)

I put Glide on the heels of my bike shoes, but forgot to put it on my run shoes. I got them on fine, but the Glide would have helped.

I would have had my banana "open" already ;-)

10/19
21/109

Gave it what I had, probably could have pushed a teeny little bit more.


It was so wonderful to get a great finisher's medal and be congratulated by the Federal Way mayor! She was so sincere. I thanked her and told her that Federal Way puts on a first rate race.

Great food at the finish area. Had a chocolate protein drink, a spiced chai protein drink, yummy :)

Cheered for the finishers to the very last two- friends that finished together, that is awesome!

Got super excited that my friend and coworker Mary Ann got first place in our age group!


Inconsistent training.


This is my all-time favorite race. The course is very challenging so even though I could not go as fast as I would have liked, I feel like I worked very hard and earned the finisher's medal.

The organizers do a great job with this race. Federal Way closes the streets on the course which is fantastic. The volunteers, police, and police explorers are so supportive, happy, and encouraging.

I hope that this series returns next year. The turnout was very small this year. I remember being here several years when there were hundreds of racers.