My main goal for this race was to get through the swim. Although I hoped upon hope that it might come up wetsuit legal at the last moment, alas it did not. This was my first mile swim in open water, second mile ever. I was not prepared to race just wanted to finish. Was last if not close to last swimmer.

More training in the swim. I am happy with my performance though considering I just learned to swim and my bilateral breathing went out the window but no panic and really no negative feelings about the swim other than "this is really boring."

This was my first race attempting the shoes already attached thing. I have to say that once I got out of the water I had NO fire in my belly as I do in a sprint. I made half hearted attempt to get in shoes and finally did so.

Nothing really.

I held back for a lot of the course because I was treating it like a training day and also because I was worried about what the "big one" was going to feel like. Getting aero on the down hills made my day! I am pleased with my bike ride.

Nothing. I was happy with it.

Had no giddy-up after the bike ride. Really did not want to do the run. By this time the sun was all the way out and it was HOT. I had eaten one Gu at the start of the bike and had drank just pure water. Just felt very negative and even back-talked Booger when he was telling me to dig a little deeper.

Hopefully not be so negative in the future.

This is were shit got REAL. It was HOT by this point and I was mentally entering what I refer to as my Blubbering Mode. There is a lot of negative thoughts and self-pity in this mode. I do appreciate the people who tried to buoy me up with their kind words and I am sorry if I cursed in front on your children. There was a lot of walking and ugliness.

It was UGLY.

I really don't know. I am not a heat runner. Even 20 pounds lighter at this point the heat just kills me.

Shaking my head, trying to move my lower jaw which seemed to enter some form of rigor mortis and telling Booger "I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN."


My ability to perform faster.


I liked this race although I am not sure it was a good choice for my first international distance attempt. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys going long though!