I was so glad I had swam a loop of the course on Friday and done a shorter swim on course Thursday. This was the first time EVER I have not been nervous (in the past at times bordering on tears) before a swim start. I was happy to be able to swim with 2,600 other people. I can't hardly believe that my size-too-small wetsuit didn't feel in the least bit constricting in the chest (or anywhere for that matter) proof that all those times before it was just nerves and emotions making me feel like I couldn't breathe.
I stood neck deep in water on the far side of the buoys until about 5 seconds after the cannon and stayed fairly wide of the buoys which gave me basically open water for my entire first lap. My goggles were giving my a headache though and hurting my face something terrible. I took them off during the beach run, but basically just had to suck it up. On the second loop I got more daring and decided to swim the cable even though I knew it would put me in more contact with other swimmers. I could feel some draft there and didn't have to work at all to sight, but my second loop was actually slower probably because I kept having to either decide to stay behind a slower person or waste energy passing. This was probably the most irritated I was during the entire race and it wasn't even bad, but I couldn't figure out how people can possibly swim slower than I do, but still be in my path at a mass start and it was making me mad. If they're in front of me to begin with shouldn't they therefore be faster? I had to consciously decide to stop being irritated at people and just swim, but at least it took my mind off the goggle squeeze.

This really was the most relaxed, least stressful OWS I've ever had, so can't really complain.
I need to try a swim mask maybe? The goggle squeeze happens in the pool too sometimes, but it's a little easier there to take a break.
Also, not waste energy or create negativity being irritated with other swimmers.
Considering I only swam the distance twice (maybe 3 times) in training and only swam about once a week or every other week total I can't complain that it was 4 minutes slower than IMWI last year. I just decided I don't really like swimming in the pool much so I didn't hardly, but did do several short OWS that helped my comfort a lot.

Forgot you had to remove top portion of wetsuit before laying down and having the rest peeled so took a little longer than necessary. There was a long run to transition and all I had to do was socks/shoes/jersey/sunscreen when I got there.

The bad parts (distance/wet pavement) I think were out of my control, but I could've had a better attitude about it.

This started out really well as there are three steep and long descents on the first part of the loop. I'm a fast descender (aka heavy), so was really glad people did such a good job of riding on the right even on the descents. The second part of the loop however, had several long climbs that I really wasn't ready for, but the first loop at least seemed to go fast. After a pit stop early in the bike I had a mini freak-out thinking my saddle was loose and twisting side to side, but then decided my wet shorts were just not adjusted right. On the second loop I knew my average speed was dropping quickly, but couldn't really do much about it. I even pulled over at the beginning of the second loop because I was going so slow on a what looked like a flat section that I thought I surely must have a flat rear tire. No, just slow. At one moment I was going what I swear was downhill at only 7 mph. At mile 90 (as usual) is when my saddle started getting markedly uncomfortable so I tried to concentrate on the scenery and spectators to finish it out. I do think I did very well with my nutrition and hydration because I never felt weak or headachy at all.

This really was a mostly enjoyable bike. I did a pretty good job of staying positive and in the moment. I only did two century rides in training this year, so I knew I deserved any discomfort I experienced. I'm just really shocked it was as fast and comfortable of a ride as it was rather than the sufferfest I thought it might be. I hardly ever use chamois cream since I don't usually have chafe problems, but had nasty saddle chafe from this ride probably because of the wet and ill-adjusted shorts.

Somehow managed the 9th fastest T2 for women even though I initially put my run tank on OVER my bike jersey and didn't notice 'til I tried to sunscreen my neck and had to fix it. I was very glad to be out of my bike shorts and into clean clothes.

Pay attention!

The run is my relative strength, and I do think I had a fairly strong run all things considered. It was hotter than I had expected and I was so glad I had my handheld to fill with ice water at the aid stations that had ice. There was some unnecessary suffering going on out there. I really was happy for the entire run even though I encountered some not-so-great moments. At some level I knew that repeating to myself how much I suck, my training sucked and how do I even think I can do a 100 mile race when I can't even run this marathon well are not generally considered constructive and positive thoughts during a race, but the thoughts almost made me smile because I was doing an IM and I knew without a doubt I would finish it. I generally just walk the aid stations, but really needed to walk the hills so I started running the aid stations except for an ice stop which worked pretty well. The first half was almost a blur and it made me a little sad it would be over so soon. I knew that at least I could go under 5 hours for the marathon which I hadn't done in either of my previous IMs so made that me new goal, (although if I'd looked at my overall watch I could've shaved another three minutes off somehow I'm sure, but with two sub 14 hour IMs I didn't feel a lot of pressure to prove anything to myself or anyone else). I don't think I've ever felt nearly so good in a marathon although my shoulders and upper back did ache some and I didn't think to aquaphor my saddle chafe until mile 15 when my left achilles started twinging. My stomach did start to feel too sugary around mile 20 and I switched from sports beans to pretzels which were a little harder to choke down, but worked well. This was also when I started to get seriously worried about the achilles. I've never had issues with them before, but the race director had even specifically mentioned that this course brings achilles problems on for a lot of people. I was scared enough to powerwalk mile 20 deciding that I would rather powerwalk it in with 6 miles to go than mess up my training for a 100 foot race I have coming up in October. I really felt that if I did run it in the price would be steep and it really wasn't worth it to me. I was really pleased with my ability to powerwalk 13:30 minute miles up hills even at the end. However, somewhere in mile 21 I naturally ran a downhill and it felt a lot better so I ran on it. Again, I think I might credit good nutrition for my relative success in this. I must have been high on sugar and a little caffeine because I did really feel happy basically the entire time even when the content of my self-talk was negative. Maybe I'm learning to "embrace the suck"?

Pay attention. Somehow 13:xx looks so much better than 14:xx for a finishing time and I totally could've shaved 3 more minutes off if I had realized I was that close to under 14 hours.

I did see my sister-in-law right before the finish and hear my name called so that was good.


This race seemed like such a grand idea last July when I set an alarm to get on the computer at the right time to register hoping so bad to get in. Aside from IM Hawaii and IM France Lake Placid was the race I wanted to do most and I do see now with the course and spectator support why it sells out so fast. However, I had some family obligations disrupt my training and frankly suffered significant lack of motivation/depression in the months just before the race which interfered with my training and preparation. The good aspect of this being that at least I didn't get injured or burnt out.


This was an awesome venue for an IM race, although the course personally kicked my (deserving) butt. It feels really odd and kind of lonely to train for something for so long and not be able to discuss it with family except in the most general of terms (aka "The race was okay."). My husband hasn't even looked at the race pictures, maybe a good thing as I look like a fat cow (although that may actually add to the accomplishment and has made me re-commit to getting back to race weight). Recovery has gone very well and a week later I feel 100% again.