This was my first wetsuit swim. I borrowed it from my friend Laurie. Considering I'd never swam in it before (had planned to, didn't pan out), it went great, didn't bother me at all. I think it's because of the diving. It's a shortie.

I rocked on the swim overall--I caught up to and passed a bunch of the guys (who in turn kicked my butt on the bike), and felt great after the first hundred meters or so. My goggles leak, got to fix that.


Get a better pair of goggles--the ones I used leaked. Also, I would pee. I didn't b/c it was a borrowed suit, but that was a mistake.

I have got to shut up in the transition area. This time I didn't have the excuse of a long-lost friend, I was just yakking with a stranger. Nice guy, it was his first one. He had kind of panicked in the swim and was a little bummed.

learn where the second velcro thingy is on my borrowed wetsuit. Also, shut up and change, already. I'm just so happy when I'm doing these things that I get chatty.

Also I should have replenished my gel supply. I brought the poor woman's version (honey bear), but couldn't take it on the bike or run, and I think that cost me. I was starving 3/4 into the bike, and the drink wasn't cutting it.

This is where I lost time. One the one hand, no one passed me with crappier equipment (though that may just be testament to the state of my equipment), but a lot of people did pass me. I need to log A LOT more miles.

Good news is, I have a coach! The first tri person I met as a volunteer at Nelson Bay (well, I met his wife, and she introduced me) has volunteered to coach me on biking and running. He was a track coach, and he's done sprints for five years and just did his first half ironman this summer after his sixth bypass. The man is a really friendly, southern, ANIMAL. I'm excited. And his wife is going to babysit Max on training days, how cool is that!???

They were good about having cops and Marines at most intersections, but I still almost got smeared by a semi--it just looked at me and pulled out, blocking the ENTIRE road. #()$&#&$@#!. I said several unladylike things. Did not wipe out, luckily, but I did have to stop. Jackass.

That said, my time is really my own fault.

Bike a lot more. Also get shoes and learn to use clipless pedals. I have them, but haven't had the $ for the shoes, so I have cages on right now. Also have gels on the bike.

This was fine--the guy next to me wasn't there yet. I need to buy a race belt, though--fumbling with the pins (I swam in my shirt) isn't fun.

Have gels and another energy drink--I was really hungry at this point and all I had was a fingerful of honey from the bear.

I was slower than I wanted to be, but I think it's because I didn't have enough food. I was starving. And having a full bladder didn't help. Still, I ran the whole time, was nice to people who passed me and were running the other way, and the ones I passed.

I'm gonna lose the big toe toenail on my right foot. Blah. It was flapping in the breeze when I finished and put on my flipflops. Ouchy.

Also, 'Aunt Flo' to use the parlance of BT, wasn't doing me any favors. I took ibuprofen, but still felt crampy. For all of that, it wasn't a bad run, considering.

Pee, take stronger cramp drugs, and have gels.

Wandered around, talking to people, ate a banana and an orange. Drank some water. Stretched a little. Met my soon-to-be coach again!!


I think it is safe to say that my hypothesis: if I don't work out for two weeks and drink copious amounts of beer and wine instead, it will greatly benefit my performance-- was disproven. It did not enhance my performance. Go figure.


It's a well-run race, and the woman who organizes it is really nice. They did a good job watching traffic for the most part, that semi notwithstanding. Wish they had had some real food at the end--I was dying for a pizza. :)

No real activities at the end, but talking to people is always fun.

You know, I didn't improve my time over Wilmington, and the swim was only half as long, but so freakin' what? I started training for this in May after volunteering at Nelson Bay, and since that time, I've sucessfully completed two sprint tris, a one-mile beach run, a 5k, and an 8k over two high-rise bridges. I've also handled the break-up of my marriage (had to be done), am raising a happy, healthy, cool little boy, and I've made a rich life for myself and him in our new town. I'm very, very proud of myself right now.