fun, crazy swim. There were logs to slide over in the river and the intermediate climb was nuts. I was sliding all over the place.

Not wear slick shoes for the island run.

I didn't time this, but it took me about 4 minutes. Slow slow, but my main goal for this race was to race smart, finish, and have a good experience. Plus, my bike shoes are lace-up and velcro, so they took a little time.

AFter a few more xterras under my belt I'll get better shoes, and I'll also feel more confident about hurrying throught transition

Don' laugh at this bike split, please. I am very inexperienced on the mountain bike. My first lap was abysmal - crashing like crazy, getting used to having that many riders on the singletrack, and trying to stay calm while racing. My first lap was close to 90 minutes; second lap close to 60 minutes. (T1 is included in bike split) Had a chick scream at me quite nastily on the first lap, but to my satisfaction I passed her handily on the second (with courtesy and grace, I might add). I climbed extremely well and had most trouble with wet roots, muddy descents and failing to clip in with so much mud in my cleats. Plus, I'm still chicke *&%# on the windy descents. After all was said and done, I finished the bike course feeling great and smiling.

Ideally, I'd be able to practice on the course numerous times - I'm confident my bike split would've been closer to 2 hours had I been more familiar with the course on the first lap. But, I live 4 hours away, so that just won't happen. I'd also carry a camelback and drink a lot more.

Again slow. But I was so happy to have finished the bike course with over an hour to spare that I just wanted to take my time. T2 time is included in run split.

Nothing.

I had a fantastic run! After working so hard on the bike, and doing many many little uphill sprints running my bike up rooty sections, I expected to be fried. But my fitness and trail running training kicked in and the legs felt awesome. I was getting quite dehydrated though, and the 2.5ish miles to the first water station seemed to take forever. But, I had a nice time on the run and enjoyed the course - challenging and shaded except for the last mile.

I could've pushed harder on the run. But I was passing enough people as it was, so whatevs.

Walk. Drink. x 17


inexperience, moderate dehydration.


Not getting an aid station until 2.5 miles into the run sucked, but logistically I see why they parked the station at that point in the trail. This race was a very difficult one for an xterra newbie - at least the bike course was - but I'm glad I did it. I will do it again next year and see how much time I can lop off. I wish they'd do it in May instead of July.