4th female. Time includes run to transition area where mat was.

I was 3rd wave (pink caps) which wasn't that big and I started out towards front on inside as I didn't want to make myself swim further than I had too. The benefit of small waves (and girls I imagine too) is that there isn't much thrashing and goggle kicking and I had no contact at all. I was determined to try and push myself a bit as I was disappointed with my swim at Musselman.
Almost immediately a pink cap came whizzing past me like I was going 0mph (rumour had it she caught most of the guys on the earlier 2 waves so I don't feel too bad). I was swimming neck and neck with another pink cap all the way out and then she dropped back slightly. I didn't see any other pink caps pass me but maybe they did cos I kept my head down pretty well all the way round.
I started passing some of the other waves about half way up the outward journey but certainly never caught the masses! A girl orange cap from the next wave passed me half way down the return leg.

Get faster! The girls that go fast are simply amazing and I want to be like them!
I felt I did a lot right today, unlike my previous race. Warm up I think helped tremendously as I didn't feel winded after the first few hundred meters

20th female and last (4th) in age group.
Quite a long run from lake to transition on an uncomfortable path so I tried to keep to the edge on the grass. As soon as I got over the timing mat I slowed down a bit to regain my breath.
I tried to do the transition standing but quite honestly I just needed to sit to put my shoes and socks on 'cos I was winded.

Get faster. I don't know my time yet but I always seem to be slow compared with others in transitions

5th female

I love riding my bike! Having driven the course the day before I was a bit concerned about that first hill but actually it looked worse in the car. I kept seated and just spun all the way up. Nice to get to the top though. I enjoyed the next bit of the course as I could push myself a bit without dying and I passed some of the older guys. Unfortunately my bike computer thingy must have twisted cos all I had was time and cadence so didn't know how far or fast I was going.
The hill after the sharp corner was a bit daunting but I got into my lowest gear, stayed seated and got up it OK. Passed a couple of guys and one shouted to me about having granny gears. Whatever works!
Merging with sprint course was a bit of a pain cos they were turning onto our road as we went downhill so I had to actually slow down a bit there.

From there on I was just slowly picking off some of the slower sprint course people.

Stretched a bit on final road in.

Loved the bike. Have I mentioned I like riding my bike?

Get faster. Get stronger so I can maintain a decent cadence at higher gears.
It was actually quite cold there once up the first hill and at several points I thought I should have long sleeves on. But would I do differently next time - probably not!

9th female
OK
Did all the right things in the right order but took my time to make sure I didn't hit the run too breathless (it's my weakness)

Get faster

OK my aim was to get round this at a decent pace and not walk and I achieved that yeh! I had pushed myself a bit on the swim and bike and decided to let my recent run focused training get me through this.
14th female - guess what needs most work!
I felt quite breathless for about the first mile before I settled down into my pace. Then I just trundled around. The first loop seemed to take forever, especially the bit up the end of the pier and back. Second loop I was just telling myself that I would now make it and even tried to pick it up a bit towards the end (don't think it would have been notceable though to anyone but me!). I am well chuffed that my pace is under 9mins per mile for the SIX MILES!!!!

Get faster
My running has come on really well considering where I was at the beginning of the year. I'll just keep working on it.

Walked around and drank some water and headed over to some BTers and others that I knew to help cheer some people through the finish.



I think I went as fast as I am capable of right now as so am pretty pleased and can now say I HAVE DONE AN OLYMPIC DISTANCE TRIATHLON


Unlike some others who had organisational glitches, I think I avoided most of them by getting there quite early. I put my bike in before getting body marked and timing chip with no problems (after seems mad - was everyone supposed to just dump their bikes on the ground????). I had no queues for body marking, timing chip or toilets so was quite happy.
A little more info on website/pick up packet would have been nice. I may have missed it but had no idea what would be at aid stations (I relied on my own nutrition anyway) and people travelling to an event that still says it is open isn't very good.
I had heard somewhere that we had to clear transition area before we got our food. That didn't seem friendly to exhausted athletes but wasn't enforced/mentioned on the day anyway.

From my point of view I had a completely hitch free race and the volunteers were full of smiles (and some dancing) so I have no complaints. Food was nice too. Pita's and sandwiches stuffed full, fruit salad and cookies.