Same issues as the other two times I've swum it. This time I did figure out what happens--they don't tow the first buoy away--you get swept away from it toward the opposite side of the river by the current, then have to somehow make your way back to the other side before the swim exit. I took my sweet old time doing so, but no issue with making it out! Passed someone (who had started ahead of me, apparently in "under 30 minutes") just floating down the river on his back!

I have no idea. It just seems like I get washed downstream and don't have much control over what's going on, but always end up at the swim exit with no problem. Possibly don't wear the tinted goggles--it was unexpectedly overcast, and the start was quite early. Between that and the murky water, it was really hard to see exactly what was going on.

Basically, it's a very long, messy transition and huge race with a huge zone. One climbs up some slippery stairs, up a slippery ramp, land then it's a long run on the sidewalk to swim-in/run-out. Not the greatest transition on my part (besides that) but not the worst. I had trouble getting my socks on--I was damp, and so was my transition towel and the socks (I think from dew and humidity). Besides that, it was okay--I was just very, very far from the bike out and bike in (second to last row in a race with 2200 bikes). Ugh.

Maybe more baby powder in socks. Not sure. Also not sure why I was in such a shitty transition spot. I entered very early (December). Maybe it was by AG and they shafted the old ladies?

For once, I don't think I worked the bike quite as hard as I could have. For context, I was riding a new bike that I had never ridden on a road or in a race before. (That wasn't supposed to happen,. I'd planned to do an Oly on it in early June, but had to scratch after an accident (swiped by a bike trailer while running) left me with stitches and not allowed to swim by race day. Could have switched to the Oly du, but the bike needed some mechanical tweaking, and I was too busy with medical and dental appointments and end of school year madness to tend to it. So I switched my entry to a run-only event, and only was able to get out on my race bike 3 times on a multi-use trail prior to the race. So I was more conservative with downhills, staying in aero, etc, than I would have been otherwise. Crosswinds, strong at times, made me feel less confident in handling, and made it hard to choose the right gear on the flat parts. This was probably the only HIM I've done where my legs weren't killing me from about Mile 10 of the bike leg.

Be more aggressive with bike handling and pacing. NP was 141. In other races, I have held 150-159W and had decent runs off that (but, in many cases, slower bike splits, including on this same course, twice.) This is a much faster bike. Ride to maximize that. Cadence seems high, given that there are few really tough hills. Probably should have pushed one gear lower on the flats.

Not bad, given my spot in transition--the opposite end from the bike out/bike in (they were the same). A whole lot of running with a bike. I did manage to dismount out of my shoes, so I could run it barefoot, which is a lot faster than in cleats! I was pretty efficient. The only glitch was my race number coming partly unsnapped. I simply could not manage to refasten it while running or walking--had to stop to do it. Ugh.

Make sure the race number is snapped in properly to begin with. (I'd put it on the race belt the day before, but must have not done it properly. or maybe somehow undone it when putting on the belt in T2.)

I felt okay off the bike--a bit wobbly at first but, amazingly, no cramping or muscle pain. I felt pretty strong throughout, with the exception of some anterior shin cramps and a few calf cramps in the last 3 miles or so. I almost always get these in the final miles of my HIM--sometimes they are mostly just an annoyance, and sometimes they slow me almost to a walk by the end. Fortunately, it was really just the former--may have slowed my pace a little, but nothing catastrophic, and I was able to finish strong. One of my stronger HIM runs in recent years. (It was not brutally hot, for once, which helps.) I did feel like if it HAD been brutally hot, I would have podiumed. I don't like those conditions, but tend to cope well with them._

Maybe push the earlier miles harder. I'm not sure it would have made any difference with the cramping at the end.

There wasn't one, except for walking around and getting some food. I found out I was 7th AG (which was better than I expected, given the size and very competitive field here), but awards are only 5 deep, so we left. Maybe should have stayed for the Worlds roll down, but I didn't. (My coach says I would have almost certainly gotten a spot under the new system, as I was ranked 45th and there were 35 allocated slots--it's likely that at least 10 people would have passed.), I could only go to that event if I retired at the end of the school year, and I haven't crossed that bridge yet.


Unfamiliarity with handling the new bike under road/race conditions, lack of confidence in my bike and run fitness. I took a longer time off from structured training than usual during the off-season, due to feeling physically and mentally burned out, and didn't really do doubles during the school year. I missed a chance to check my fitness with an earlier Oly, so I think I may have been fitter than I realized!


This is a great event! It's a very fast course, and everything is scenic, all the way, unlike some courses which really highlight that (showing you pics of the one pretty stretch of an otherwise nondescript 56 mile bike course), and then don't deliver. It really showcases the best of what Oregon has to offer.

The swim does take a long time to get started (about 90 minutes to get everyone in the water, not counting the walk over) and the set-up (which I guess is standard for a downriver course) can get annoying. Likewise, transition, especially T1, is very long and slow, but given the steep riverbank and the popularity of the race, there is really no way around this. Ditto for the somewhat hazardous first part of the bike leg. Just be aware and don't do crazy stuff on the curves and railway underpasses. Hazards are very well-marked, but every year there are several serious crashes. Run is beautiful ,and aid stations (9 or 10 of them total) are very well-stocked. Great post-race food with extras to share with family or friends. No complaints.

If you're from out of state, do be aware that despite our rep for rainy weather, Oregon's generally warm, dry, and sunny in summer, (late June through late September) and the very low humidity and clean air (unless wildfires are nearby) mean that UV exposure is extremely high. This year's race happened to fall on one of a few cooler, overcast days in the past month, but in general, be prepared with lots of sunscreen, hats, extra fluids, and maybe a small tent or canopy for supporters, especially young children, elders, and dogs.

I've raced all over the world, and this is still one of my favorite IM events! Highly recommended, unless you're in my AG. First two in my AG this year were former pros. Arrrgh!