5th overall female
I knew pushing myself on swim would only save a few seconds so I was pretty relaxed and just swam up and down and a comfortable pace.
Placed myself about right I think. I did pass 2 people but no one caught up with me.
The timing mat was out of the pool building, across a bit of carpark and down some steps so the swim time won't be just time in pool

Practice tumble turns under lane ropes (which I didn't do)

12th in age group, 27th overall female - definitely room for improvement!
Sat down in rain to put shoes and socks on. Socks went on better than I thought so all seemed to go quite well. Didn't need to rinse feet which was good.
Most people put on a long sleeved top as the weather was so horrid but I hadn't planned for it so didn't even think about it and off I went.


Nothing, felt I was organised and efficient

1st overall female - I'd never have guessed that cycling was my strength!

Having ridden the course before I knew that the hardest parts for me were a couple of rolling hills in first half. Think my mental preparation was good as I talked myself over them. Passed a few people and one person whizzed past me but all in all felt quite alone on the road. Shame really as I was hoping there would always be someone I could see up front to motivate me to keep going.
Went by very fast and hubby and my boys and my friend were waving as I came into T2.
People commented afterwards that they found it hard with rain into their faces. Now I know with hindsight I wasn't particularly slow and I didn't feel that a problem so wonder if it was the extra peak on my bike helmet.

Nothing - felt like a good ride to me

10th in age group, 22nd overall female

Hands were quite cold which I only realised as I was trying to pull my running shoes on

Learn to get off my bike faster and more elegantly!

The first half mile or so I found hard for a surprising reason. My legs were fine (or perhaps numb with cold?) but I felt really breathless. I just told myself to keep going and it would wear off which it did. I overtook 3 people on the first hill about half a mile in and then I saw no one (except a distant blob at one point on a long straight bit) for the rest of the course.

I did stop at one point to try and adjust my timing chip. It was low on my ankle and was rubbing between my shoe and skin. Adjustment only worked temporarily though and I have the blister to prove it!

I really could have done with some other runners there to push myself. Felt nice and strong at the finish.

Push myself a bit harder as I wasn't as tired as I expected at the finish.

Put the timing chip higher up on ankle (but won't it slip back down?) so it doesn't rub between my skin and shoe.

Walking around and chatted to people. Eventually ate a banana (the one I had forgotten to eat at start)


This was a good race for me and I am absolutely GOBSMACKED at my result and how well I did.

With hindsight looks like my transitions need work (and I thought they went fine!). Always thought running was the weaker of the three for me but didn't realise that I was so strong on the bike!

Looking forward to my first Olympic distance in 4 weeks


The start was a bit of a mess. Turning up earlier wouldn't have helped cos the organisers weren't ready with the bibs. Standing in a long queue waiting for this and body marking etc in the rain was not fun. Didn't have time to think about anything after that except set out transition and rush to pool as I was number 49 and they were calling 1 to 50.
Was one corner on run I wish they had a volunteer but luckily I knew the route quite well. There wasn't an arrow or anything on that particular turn.
Full points to helpful smiling, encouraging volunteers on a rainy Sunday morning!
There was pizza, cookies and cold drinks at end which was nice. However, given the weather after the first 10minutes I really could have done with a hot drink. Also fruit would have been nice.
There was a long wait for awards etc at end but that was always going to be the nature of the event with a staggered start and waiting for last person to finish. I am sure the wait would have been OK if the weather was nicer.