First leg I could hardly get my face into the water. It didn't feel particularly cold b/c the water was so much warmer than the air was, but not being able to see the bottom was unnerving. The sheer number of people was unsettling too. After I rounded the first buoy I felt much clamer and settled into my stroke. I actually got comfortable and almost forgot I was suposed to be racing! I picked up the pace on the third leg but paid for it with poorer navigation...plus the sun was rising right into our eyes. Overall I was very pleased with my swim, I was much faster than I thought I would be.

Practice navigation. Try to get out into the deeper water more frequently so I don't get freaked out at first (I think this will just come with practice though).

Since it was my first race, I took my time a little on t1 to make sure I didn't miss anything.

We were stopped to mount the bikes, so jumping on the bike (if I understand the question right) wasn't allowed.

More bodyglide/PAM (LOTS) on my ankles. Better organization of equipment (like setting my shirt so it goes on the right way the first time!) Learn how to put shoes on while riding would be good.

I was pretty pleased with my performance on the bike. I drank what I planned to (1 jug of Acclerade/Gatorade mix) and 3 shots of hammergel...beginning middle and end. It was too much, but more on that in the run segment...

I was very careful to obey the drafting rules since I didn't want a penalty. Judging by other's actions though, I may have been too conservative on this.

All of the hill training I've done really paid off, as most of the folks I passed were on uphills, and they felt so easy to me.

I have to change my hydration plan to something more stomach friendly. Otherwise, nothing really, the bike was the most "fun" of the race, for sure!

Left running shoe stuck just a little going on.

Nothing really, except learn how to get out of my bike shoes while on the bike.

This is where I fell down, although I didn't do as badly as I thought I was doing while I ran. My stomach cramped BADLY and my asthma kicked in a little too, although my big limiter was the stomach cramps. I couldn't really get any water or anything down. I did use gel once (chased with water of course) because my energy was waning fast and I figured as cramped as I was I probably didn't have much to lose. Overall I am very unhappy with my run, it should have been several minutes faster.

I have to come up with a different drink for the bike, It think this is what cramped up my stomach. Although what I used has worked in training, it apparently doesn't stand up to the higher intensity of racing. I had noticed minor problems before now too, the same in all but severity. Also, I need to learn the course better beforehand (although I thought I did know it) as my pacing was way off.

Striaght to the portojohn thanks to the stomach cramps.


Again, stomach cramps and asthma.


I didn't see many aid stations/portojohns on the bike, but I was very focused on the race and could have missed them. I thought they could have used one more water station on the run.