I felt really good on the swim and came out exactly where I expected. This swim was a minute faster than I did in this race a year ago. I was relaxed the whole way and just focused on my arm pull and streamline out of the walls. Having David count for me was terrific. I could hear his voice on every turn and I didn't have to think about how much more I had to go - I just swam.

For this race, not much. I need to continue to improve my swim technique and get higher in the water, but I'm pleased overall with the improvement I made over the winter.

This transition was faster than some I've had, but I still fumbled too much. Wet feet & socks are a problem, and my gloves were tangled on my fingers. When I reached the mounting line, I could not get my feet clipped in - it was crazy! I was across the road before I got my first foot in and that's really odd for me.

Learn to ride without socks. Practice transitions more. Figure out how to get gloves on more smoothly.

The first half of the bike was tough with a lot of wind. At one point I was in a crosswind and was seriously leaning. If the wind had died down at that point I think I would have fallen over! I was frustrated with the first half because I was working hard but seemed to be going nowhere! I was passing other riders, though, so I kept my focus on each new person in front of me and kept at it. The second half of the ride had a nice tailwind. That made up for the first half. I was obsessing about my time because I wanted to beat last year's time - and I did. I also noticed that I was really relaxed on my bike. I never had to tell myself to breathe and relax - I already was! It felt good.

I probably could have pushed it a little harder, but I was feeling so strong that I didn't want to blow it on my first race of the year!

My first ever transition under a minute. :)

I felt surprisingly good off the bike and just ran. I was paying attention to my time because I knew by then that I could beat last year's time. I heard feel behind me a couple of times and I found some determination to not let them pass me. One woman did pass me right before the finish. She came flying out of nowhere...

Not much in this race, but I definitely need to learn to run faster. When I look at the finish times, my bike time is right there, but it's in the run where I lose the most time.

Went in to see if David needed me to count laps for him - he didn't, so I watched a bit and then went to clean up my gear and myself. Shortly after I went back in the building, the sky opened and the rain poured. I stood under the front entry of the school and watched the final men's heat come in through the rain. I was really glad I finished before the rain came! I visited with the woman who won my age group for while, and after everyone had finished, I met up with David & Travis for the awards ceremony.


I am really pleased with this race. I dropped 3:32 from last year, AND finished 3rd in my age group. How cool is that? Last year I am quite certain that I peaked at this race. I am confident I'm not there yet, so to go out and race this well today is a great confidence builder!


I love this race. It's small and for an early season race it's just right. Not a lot of bells & whistles, but the company made up for that!