I haven't swum since my last race, I wasn't working hard enough to breathe hard, the wetsuit was so big that there was a steady stream of water up/through the legs and arms, and a freaking jellyfish attached itself to my mouth halfway to the first buoy, SO, all in all, not a bad time all things considered!!

buy a wetsuit that fits, vs take my chances on a rental...and at least place the order months in advance in order to get prime selection. And, most importantly, apply the anti-jellyfish lotion to the areas around my eyes, nose and mouth.

Race was set up like an ironman bc of the longer distance events, so cool to be able to sit on a chair to remove suit & don socks. I thought it was great that they told me that had 'stuff for jellyfish stings," so I happily applied it liberally to my entire face, with the stings on my forehead and around my mouth. No one told me that the main ingredient was apparently ammonia, which is no fun to snort or lick...more time spent screaming like a lunatic for water and a towel. So glad that I could set an example for all in how NOT to treat stings to the face.

Would've left my gear at my bike so that I could've squat/peed while donning my socks.

Surreal - for lack of a better word - to realize mid-course that I was racing while my teammate was being buried...that my daughter was waiting for me to come home to her, while 2 other little girls were saying goodbye to their mom. Made for an emotional ride, and so few riders that I was really very much alone. Helped me to imagine what an IM ride might be like (x10!) in terms of the mental "whatever" needed for that kind of endurance, and if anything helped confirm my own impressions that that's beyond my attention span! N

just took my time, shouted hi's to the event staff

not a darn thing.

So cool to be able to run after the bike...flatness makes for a very, very different experience. I was able to run a 10-10:30 pace, but stopped to walk & chat with walkers I knew and passed, and to walk a bit with an injured friend who was walking. Also very cool to have the port-a-potty on teh course, and probably lost 5 minutes alone messing with the TP dispenser before I realized there was a stupid rubber band in place to keep paper from unwinding! (clearly I was the first girl there)

My emotions crossing the finish line, thinking about Heather, really caught me by surprise. I'm such a girl - someone asked how I felt and I started to cry. Nothing like chocolate, though, to put it in perspective. Also learned that post-race massages are SO worth any time or wait.


So different to leave town to race. Little race, probably not worth the trip or $ to do again - if I'm going to travel, would prefer a nicer destination! - but it was a lovely little race, and I really liked the perspective of the flatness. Also a nice brick for me a week before the Half Full 40. Could've run harder, I know, but I just didn't want to, and was OK with that. Was just glad I felt capable...and was able to go home to hug my girl.