I was prepared to get pummeled the first length and around the first buoy but not to be pummeled the entire swim. It got old...quick. By the end I was about to start throwing punches. I am just not cut out for full contact swimming. Time-wise was really good though considering how little time I put in the pool this year. It appears I'm a new disciple of the Brown dog school of "don't waste your time swimming"

Hmmm...swim so fast that everyone was chasing me and I had clean water? Yeah.....right.

Considering the distance we had to cover, this is a good time. I recovered quickly from the hulk rage I developed during the swim and was able to get what I needed to do done.

Nada.

Same old story. I felt great until the lower back pain started. Luckily it wasn't nearly as bad as Louisville but I definitely dropped the pace on the second loop as a result. Stopping at special needs and getting off the bike helped and at an aid station before the hills I stopped (but stayed on the bike) and stood up and stretched some.

Figure out a way to keep the back pain from starting.

Again. Pretty good but I just had to forget something and run back in transition to get it. This time it was my visor and I saw right away where they put my bag so I didn't lose too much time.

Not forget my visor (I never even saw it)

First off, I could tell that I didn't stay hydrated on the bike because I was downing fluids like crazy at the aid stations. The run felt a lot hotter than Louisville (probably because I was off the bike so much earlier). The first 3 miles my HR was in Zone 5 (according to my Garmin) and I had that moment of terror that it was going to bite me big time in the end. So I slowed the pace and took a couple of extra walking breaks to try to get it down. Then (after the crazy hill), I settled into a rhythm and started trucking along. My stomach felt a little off so I didn't dare eat anything and stuck to liquids for most of the run. I really enjoyed the run and tried to take in the whole experience and smile at people who were out supporting the race. My low point came around mile 12 when I was headed towards the capitol to turn around for the second lap. I saw the "Mile 25" signs and started wondering how many of the people I was running with were on their second lap and almost done. I loved seeing my buddies along the way and was really psyched to finally see Steph at the last turn around. She caught me around mile 25 and told me to run with her. I didn't want her to slow down because of me (especially since she was kicking a$$ and taking names) but she insisted I run with her. Now, I was still feeling pretty decent at that point but once I started running at that pace, that decent feeling left pretty quickly and I started thinking I may pass out before the finish line. Steph was teasing me that I kept trying to pull in front and drop her but the truth was that I was trying to take the turns as tight as I could so I get a moment to catch my breath while she caught up...nope she just picked up the pace more. It was really cool to cross the finish line with her.

Run faster....yep. Who doesn't want to run faster? I guess not dump as much ice on me and try to avoid the dreaded pinky toe blisters.

Trying not to pass out.


I'm sure only training for 3 1/2 months had some effect and the crazy hours I pulled at work the weeks leading up to the race probably did too. But, I just need to become a faster cyclist and runner.


I loved this race and loved the whole experience.