I feel my swim wasn't anything special. I had not practiced swimming in a month, so I expected my stroke to be a little less smooth than normal. I didn't go too hard anyway because I wanted to keep my HR down.

Swim at least once the week leading up to the race.

The start of the bike heading south was GREAT--as it should have been with a 15-20 mph tailwind! I was flying. Then, the turnaround.... That had to be the WORST headwind I've ever encounted. It was all I could do to keep my bike in a straight line. The only thing that mae it better than Hotter'n'Hell 2002 was the fact that the temperature wasn't over 100 degrees! Needless to say, my time suffered.

Nothing I can do about the weather.

Just fine. Went out steadily and when I loosened up I let it pick up to a good pace.

Nothing.

Hydrated and ate right away.


Weather.


I had a great race from the standpoint of my own objectives going in, which was to have a better run than last year, which i did (by about 4 minutes). Still, having gained a second-place medal last year, I couldn't help but feel disappointed by finishing out of the medals this year. We had the toughest group of women going! My time would have medaled in either group, younger or older, either side of me. Just happened to be a race where quality competition raced that day....