I tried to stay in the middle of the pack this year rather than in the back. I wanted to be sure that I wouldn't get left behind in my wave and have trouble sighting again. It was congested in the beginning but soon, I was able to find my rhythm and stayed consistent swimming near the buoys. It was tough trying to pass some people because there was not a lot of space close to the buoy. Towards the end, I tried to pick up the speed and finish the swim.

Nutrition: 1 Gu gel b4 swim

Nothing much. I felt pretty good with the swim and was able to shave off about 6.5 minutes. I'd like to coninue working on my form and improve my time.

I'm pretty happy with this transition time compared to the 4+ min. from last year. I think experience helped here.

Nutrition: 3 Cliff Blocks, 2 e-caps

Nothing

I'm not sure what happened here. This was the part I enjoyed the most last year, but unfortunately, I struggled to finish the course and it was a big disappointment. I started off on a good note, averaging 18-19 miles/hr or so but as I kept going, I started to grow very tired and my legs were so heavy by the time I got to mile 15. From then on, the pace continued to drop to 16, then to 15, 14... and I felt like giving up. I thought I was going to cry when this older lady passed me on her mountain bike. It was the most humbling experience to be passed by so many people this time around. I was certainly passing lots of people last year! Also, the course didn't seem as flat as well. I was probably hallucinating at this point b/c I was almost certain that there were endless hills on the bike course. Oh, in addition to that, I had to get off the bike twice to make sure that my brakes were not rubbing against the tires. Of course, they weren't. Tried to pick the speed back up to around 16 miles/hr for the last 3-4 miles but my legs were done by then. I had no more bike juice left. I was worried that I will not have enough energy to run the 10k.



I can think of a couple of reasons why I performed so poorly here. First, it could have been from not having had enough time to strengthen the muscles that I am potentially using now on the new bike position I am in. Second, coming into the race, I didn't put as many miles in training compared to last year and also, I didn't do many long rides. Third, it was just a very bad day. I don't think it was the nutrition at all b/c I had enough calories on the bike (Marathonbar, & 2 Gu bottles) For whatever reason, I was really disappointed and upset.

Before the run, I vowed to stop at every drink stop to get some Gatorade and water because I had suffered so much from heat exhaustion/dehydration last year. Somehow after the terrible bike segment, I found my legs again to run the 10k pretty decently. I was hoping to run closer to 9:00 pace but under the circumstances and hot weather, I did my best. I still wanted to beat my time from last year (3:08:34) so I picked up my pace at the end and sprinted to the finish line. I don't know how I found the energy but I'm glad I did b/c I ended up beating my time by just under 2 minutes.

Nutrition: Gatorade at every station, 3 blocks before the run, & Gu gel at around mile 4 (maybe I consumed too many calories here but I was afraid that I wasn't replacing enough electrolytes instead of calories)

Have my own fuel belt to carry water with me b/c it does take up time if you stop by every drink station!

I didn't get a terrible headache after the race this time. Phew!

Oh boy, I looked like I was about to pass out, I'm sure. I was so hot and tired. I kept drinking gatorade and water to avoid dehydration but I was afraid that I was going to suffer from hyponatraemia instead. Ha.

I got a complimentary massage after the race. It was so heavenly everyone ought to get it.


Tired legs, IT band injury setback, hot weather