This was a very large group and it was a very bumpy swim all the way to the end. I did a lot of breast stroke this time out. I really felt confined and never found a good rhythm during this swim. When I did find some open space, I tried to take advantage of it and free style. This worked for me for the most part.

I took the entire week off before this race and I suffered for it. I felt out of sync. I will also try to get more open water swimming completed as well. I am a strong pool swimmer but it doesn't always translate very well.

This is the slowest T1 transition for my age group. I really don't know why I took so long but it seems I did. If I had been two minutes quicker, I would not have been beaten by the 71 year old man, I saw later on the run!

Practice transitions. I don't really do this and it shows a lot. I run with socks so I might try running without to see how it goes.

I was a little concerned about the cones and being passed but I managed not to cut anyone off or run over any cones. My biggest complaint here is that there were a large number of people who passed who never called out their intentions. I checked behind me each time I came to a cone because I didn't want to get in the way of someone passing. On a number of occassions I went to the right of the cone to avoid any collisions with the people passing me. Sorry guys, it was mostly men being silent. Otherwise, I thought this was a good ride for me and I was able to keep a very consistant speed this time out. I have been riding my bike on a trainer so I felt much more comfortable about changing gears and how my bike would respond. I still experienced some numbness in my toes but I changed how I peddled for a bit and flexed my toes in my shoes and it went away. Last race, I had numb feet through transition and I didn't want to repeat that. My dismount was uneventful but always dicey, I am not very good about this.

Continue training and riding my bike more on the open road. I think I will go back to spinning class also to increase my endurance and strength. I also need to get back in for a bike fitting.

I ride in my running shoes so theres nothing to change here. This was not a bad transition. I changed from helmet to hat, turned my racing belt around so my number was in front, took one last drink from my bike bottle and headed out.

Move faster.

I was out of breath at the start and seemed to remain that way throughout. I had not been able to eat on the bike so I was very low on energy. I decided to run 6 minutes and walk 1 minute. I walked through the water stations and drank at each one. I shortened the walk time and tried to just keep moving. At about mile 2 I was behind the 71 year old man. He was walking too, but soon started running again. We played leap frog for awhile until toward the end. He began running and kept going. I was behind another 43 yr old woman, both running, then she started to walk, then I passed her then walked and so on until she came up and said we should just try to finish together. We ran side by side until almost to the end until I just couldn't keep her pace. This was her first race and told her to just go on and have a strong finish. I did my best to push to the end. I was completely done at the line and started looking for some shade. I had a moment of hyperventilation when I saw my hubby and he thought I needed the EMS, so we walked that direction. He was great!! After a bottle of water and a banana and many soothing words from hubby I was all better.

Do more brick work and speed work. I have to find a nutrition plan for on the bike so I am not bonking on the run. I am often too nervous to eat before and I find eating on the bike a problem. Clif bars turn into a large mass in my mouth with one bite so I never take another one. We received Clif blocks in our finishers glass, so I will try them during training to see how that works.

Walking, walking, walking, soothing conversation with hubby and a shady spot. I was too hot to eat but managed a bite or two of pizza. I did manage about 1/2 a too soft banana, 1/2 bottle of water and a bottle of Endurolyte mix that Lisa had bought for us. I did manage to stretch a little following but was a bit light headed for much.




Lack of a solid nutrition plan and not enough brick workouts during this training sequence.


I enjoyed myself and the venue. The swim was a bit gross but overall the course was nice, with lots of shade for the run. I hope to do this race again next year.

I had the opportunity to meet Holly and Hannah, it was a pleasure. Joe, Bonnie, Holly, Lisa and myself gathered for a group photo following the HRTC group photo op. We will have to ask the announcer, next time, to make an announcement so all BT folks attending the event can find each other at a meeting place. Sorry we missed some of you!

Thanks again, to Lisa for the wonderful hospitality!