I started really calm – no rush – and kept steady pace all the way. I actually didn’t find the swim too long like I expected. I was well trained from all long workouts at the pool. I followed the cable in the basin. I finished in my expected time – between 40 and 45 minutes. The water was really cold - my feet were so cold.

T1 went ok. I was so calm! I had trouble putting all my bars and gels in my trisuit back pockets because it was wet.

The bike portion was great! I kept a 31-32km/h average all the way. I had 20 laps to do and when I completed 10 I looked at my time and couldn’t believe it – I would finish under 3 hours! I finished in 2:50 – which really surprised me. At some point I was confused and didn’t know if I had done all the laps – but the guy from the race told me it was time to get off – I was done! I felt great!

T2 went a little slower – I took my time to dry off my feet and to go to the bathroom – I NEEDED to go so badly.

The beginning of the run went ok. It was 3:40 in my total time and I was really up to finishing below 6 hours. Since I was running slow – I soon realized that I couldn’t finish under 6 hours. But I kept the same steady pace all the way – walking only at water stations – alternating between Gatorade and water – sometimes both – taking a gel per hour. I had problems with keeping down the food (bars + gels) and my stomach was full all the run but I knew I needed to keep energy level high so I took the gel. It was 86 degree with bright sun and I was cold! I had 4 laps to do. When I completed my second lap I felt like I was the last one on the track. At my 3rd lap everybody was on their way to finish lane and I had still one lap to go. I was a little discouraged then. I started to feel dizzy - my head wanted to bursted and I was so warm! But I told myself I HAD to finish no matter what EVEN if I was the last. Well at 6:21 I crossed the finish lane and I was SO proud and happy! I had completed my first long distance triathlon! I knew later that there were still 4 more people on the track finishing after me and 5 DNF.

No warm-down - big mistake - I had sore muscles like never before


My run! I would probably join a running group so I could improve my running. And loose 20 pounds so my run would be lighter – so faster. And become rich so I can get a $4000 bike so I can go faster… but that’s another story!


I wouldn't do an Ironman to this race because the bike is a loop - the run is a loop - so it's discouraging when you know you have to run the same 5K again and again. I prefer when you start at one point and you finish at another without seeing the same people encouraging you 4 times!