First ever open water swim and mass wave start. The flailing arms and chop was overwhelming. I was never comfortable AT ALL in the water. I need to learn to block it all out and just swim EXACTLY how I practice. That was some advice given to me before the race, but for some reason it just left my head. Heart Rate was SUPER high. Never got relaxed. Just breaststroked it all to get it over with.

Swim my race. Duplicate what I do in training. Ignore the craziness of the whole thing.

Had issues gaining my bearings coming out of the water and wasn't able to run. It was LONG run all uphill to the transition area. Walked the whole way to get my heartbeat down. Overall though, I was pretty quick with getting in and out.

Other than trying to recoup from such a terrible swim, it was pretty good.

Completely didn't realize the intensity of the hills in this area of MIssouri. HOLY CRAP! Serious hills. Totally took me by surprise and I wasn't prepared AT ALL. Didn't train in a way to be prepared for it. I've been doing mainly distance building.

Read about the course WAY ahead of time and figure out how to train. This is a VERY unforgiving course.

Good T2. Could be faster if I would pull the trigger on some speed laces. Still went VERY well.

Nothing really. Speed laces is the only change.

Again, the hills kicked the crap out of me. Between the bike and run, I don't think I have every done this much work on hills. There was only one flat part for both the bike and run and it was within the first 5-7 miles of the bike.

Research the course again. DON'T EVER underestimate a course again. It was a seriously difficult course that was NEVER flat.

Enjoyed the provided sponge and walked around the food tent and other vendors tents. I then went to transition to grab everything. Stretched out there and then packed up to head home. Didn't stay long because the family wasn't with me.


Not being prepared mentally for the swim and also physically for the hills of the course. I definitely want to run this race again next year. Absolutely beautiful course.


I think this race was a serious shock to me and woke me up about this. Being my first open water swim, I realized I have A LOT more to learn and a LOT more mental prep to do for the rest of the races I have this year. I also am humbled by my training. I need to push my training a little bit harder. The hills of this course are SERIOUS! DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THEM! It's a very well run race, very fun, and very beautiful. This race will probably be on my list of races every single year. It's a fun race with serious challenge. Definitely a do not miss race if you live in the area.