2 minutes slower than last year, with 1/10 mile longer... grumble. whine. really wanted to hit 20 min... sigh. at least being fairly fast in a small wave meant that i could go out fast(er) and avoid the blender. And, probably lost a little time when I stopped to tread water & cheer for a teammate who truly hates the swim......

um, follow the course?

An improvement for me, since I am clearly incapable of moving any faster into and through T1. Always so winded popping up and scrambling out of the lake, so at least meandering through T1 allows me adequate time to chat with adoring fans as I saunter by.

Really hoped - expected? - I'd be faster on the new bike & since I'm presumably healthier than last year... looking forward to bike fit in July and a saddle that doesn't cause the sensation of flames erupting through the 1/4 inch bed of aquafor in my shorts. Another plus of being in the last wave was the smug satisfaction of being able to pass some guys from earlier waves.

um, pedal faster?

actually, the one part of my race that was a blistering PR, lol

Can't figure out why this, too, was slower than last year when I'm running more?! Maybe bc I really don't like it?! Also nice that ice was hiding if requested at first water stop... and yet another advantage of athena-size is the ability to hold 2.5 cups of ice in my bra. Whatever was left went into my shorts, and I loved how the ice knew just where I'd been scorched on the bike, as it followed that trail on the way out of my pants legs. The last mile of the run didn't suck too badly, and I didn't walk much, thanks to the 2 other big girls who'd intermittently get ahead, and then behind me... I mean, it's one thing to know I'm slow, and another to LET them get past me. One of those witches had the temerity to try to pass me in the finish chute, but I smoked past her with my blazing slug-like speed and left her behind me when I crossed the mats. I clearly remembered my 1st pre-race talk 2 years ago and hearing that you should never, EVER let anyone pass you in the chute. I listened!

train? Really, do a brick or 2 that actually involve running.

It was pretty darn hot - no warm down required.


Mother nature. Gene pool. Age. Training. I'm sure there's more.


Love this race - it was my first. Especially loved seeing the handcycles out there, and it's not every race that fellow athletes have to stop to remove and adjust their legs. Hope the work with MedStar Rehab continues and that even more paratriathletes join us next year.