Gender Rank 338. Nice calm lake, Started in front and to the left a little, stayed away from the crowd. First wave, so really nice to have open clear water. Didn't even mind the other waves swimming through. Congested at the top (shorter) side, but after the turn back to shore it was a straight shot. This was my best swim, so a PR for me (I think the inhaler really helps with my breathing on the swim - so much more relaxed because I'm not gasping for air).

Maybe swim a little harder at times. I was keeping it steady, so it was a comfortable pace.

Too bad they don't give awards for transition. I had the 3rd fastest time in the swim to bike transition. Used the wet suit stripper - quick - awesome. Long way to transition - run up a rocky road covered in carpet - watch your step, even though there is carpet, you can still bruise your feet. Due to the long time between breakfast (3:45am) and getting out of the water (8am) - I had left an extra gel in my bike shoes to remind me to eat right away and get some calories going.

nothing.

Gender Rank 310. I'm trying to make some big changes to my bike time and used this race to push both the watts and the HR. Target was 120 Watts and 141 HR (actual 120 watts and 147 HR). There was very little to no wind on the course, it was cool out (59 degrees in the morning, warming up to 79 in the afternoon for the run). Prepared two 24 oz bottles of malto containing 720 calories. Consumed 36 oz plus 4 gels (one in swim/bike transition, 1 top of 1st hour, 2nd hour and at 2:45) for a total of 940 calories. At 127 lbs this equates to 2.5 cal/lb/hr.

Took a salt tablet on the bike at 2:30 mark.



Nothing. This went very well.It was tough to stay focused and not let the power drop, but all worked out.

I was #2 for my age group - - - this helps my overall time, so I get in and get out as fast as I can - - practicing before every race insures I don't forget something.

not forget to top off my water bottles -- they were full of ice and made a ton of noise for the first 2-3 miles on the run.

Gender Rank 240. Grabbed my ice cold fuel belt from the little cooler in transition and headed out on the run. Forgot that I had only ice in them (had forgotten to add cold water in the morning) - so they made a lot of racket knocking around the first mile or so, until the ice melted. Apologized to those running near me for all the noise. Took it easy the first 3-4 miles, walking the aid stations only and longer at mile 5 to eat the gel. IT bands were bothering me, so took 2 x-strength tylenol on M1 of the run. Took a gel at mile 5 and mile 10. Kept cool by throwing ice cold water on my head, chest and face - used ice cubes in my sports bra. Steady 9:30 pace for most of the race. Tried to pick up the pace at mile 9, but didn't work so much - the hills were making it tough (wish I had known there was a hill at mile 10-11), so just took smaller steps to keep my HR in check. It was about this time that I noticed people looking over their shoulder at me as I was approaching them, probably because I was breathing pretty heavily and they were wondering if I was okay. The last 100 yards were really tough, I was gasping and wheezing for air and trying to give it that last sprint uphill just wasn't happening. I was hoping to keep it close to 2:00, but very happy with my time. It was only 1:00 longer that my best time (which was on a totally flat course). Nutrition was good, prepared two 8 oz bottles containing 282 calories, consumed 8 oz plus 2 gels for a total of 341 calories or 1,3 cal/lb/hr. Sipped water occasionally on the course. HR was pretty high, so needed to watch my intake carefully. It was 80 degree's at the end of the race.

Check with my Dr. to see how often I can use my inhaler. I checked the weather ap after the race, and sure enough, the pollen count was HIGH. I'm still adjusting to the mid-west air and struggling with allergies/sinus issues - starting to think I may have some sort of exercise induced asthma. My legs were fine, just couldn't get enough air.

I was SOOOOO excited to see my time (and the finish line pics are pretty cool). I had checked the previous years times and noticed that the top 10 finishers were 6:13 and under, so as long as I finished in under 6:10 - I thought I had a chance at the top 10, maybe even higher. I finished 8th. Super stoked! Walked around, found the food, ate some chicken, applesauce and had a coke. Wasn't terribly hungry - my nutrition was good. Changed clothes in the beach house (nice little facility, showers, sinks, etc) and drove home.


breathing difficulties


Loved the course - although the run is hillier than noted in the IM website.

SWIM: 45:24 AG 15/30, Gender 338/562 OA 1186/1954
BIKE: 3:05:38 AG 13/30, Gender 310/562 OA 1215/1954
RUN: 2:09:53 AG 8/30, Gender 240/562 OA 969/1954

Points 2192