Let me start by saying I knew I was out of my league but was asked to start with the elites. It was an honor to be in the same wave with Lauren and even touched her toes for my first few strokes.... But let me back up just a bit. We were standing at the start line and talking (the 5 of us) and 2 of the racers say they are slow swimmers one even tells me this is only her 2nd OWS! so we were going back and forth about who would be last out of the water which calmed my nerves a bit until we start...ya slow my azz... I think I might of stayed with them for about 10 strokes if that! I could feel them getting farther away and I tried pushing harder thinking if I could just stay on some toes, no such luck (the next slowes swimmer had a time of 12:16) I could tell I went out way to hard and my toes were tingling...so I back it off and just swim. I could not see anything, the sun was right at eye sight and they only had 3 big buoys (one at the start one in the middle and one at the finish) Which while I was swimming I could not see. Then 1 white small buoy between each, again which I never saw, and because I was swimming alone I had no one to sight off of so I had to keep stopping to find where I was and look for the splash from the others that were already across the lake! Wish I had my garmin in my cap because I know I added some distance to this one! Finally got toward the end and all I feel are weeds and I am thinking to myself why do they have us swimming through all these weeds? Only to hear a whistle and the people on shore screaming that I was off the course... had to swim back and out to the finish...definiatly not my best performance!

Nothing I could do, the sun blinded me! Well and not start out so fast, but I recovered from that fine.

I really need to work on my transitions! I will say I was racked on the complete opposite side of the swim in, Then add to the fact that someone moved my bike...this was still bad!

ok well the site has the distance as 12 but they changed the course this year and my garmin has 14.19. my time has me listed at 15.7 mi/pace but garmin has me at 18.4. so I am putting in 13.5 for the distance! I will say I was pushing for a 19 or 20 so, I am happy with my bike.

I wish I would have ridden the course, there were a few areas that I should have been in a different gear and shifted too late, which dropped my speed.

The bike in was not the same as bike out...like was said! So as I came in to T2 I had no idea where to go so I cut across the parking lot, not sure if that is what I was supposed to do but I did!

more practice. I really have not focused on transitions this season.

Took a minute to get my rhythm and had to remind my self to open up and run faster! I just got used to holding back...

nothing... felt good about my run!

Got my medal, found Erin and walked to the tri-faster tent and spent the rest of the morning talking and congratulating other racers.


This is only my 2nd sprint of the season, I have been doing IM distance, slow and long, so I am pleased with my times today!


Had a great time today and was so inspired by some of the teams that were out there...Team Phoenix was amazing! I was also proud to be a part of the tunnel of love as the last triathlete crossed the finish! And although it was nerve racking and intimidating to be with the elites it was great to race with the fasties if only for a few minutes!