I made a big mistake on this one in that I didn't walk out to the shore and look at the course before the race. I got into the water and realized that I really didn't know the course. I had seen it on a map, I know the lake, but there is something different about being able to visualize in your mind the course and the scenery. I zigged and zagged like a sewing machine. One minute I would be right next to the bouy and the next I would be 100 yards away from it. I only got bumped a few times so I know I was very wide of the course. Nevertheless, I still felt like I swam pretty well...My time is actually faster than my average time in the pool.

I started getting the dreaded cramp in my left calf at the end of the swim. When I was trying to get out of my wetsuit, it kept cramping up again. This slowed me down a bit. Also I kept getting dizzy when I would bend over to try and wiggle it off of my left leg.

I would not put the timing chip on the leg that typically cramps up. It might not get so stuck from the wetsuit.

I live in this area and ride this course all the time. I knew there were going to be tough spots, but there were times in the race that I just didn't have my mojo. Two Gu's kept me going. I hate drinking out of water bottles with the thingy on the top. I can't get the water fast enough. This was probably a huge mistake for me. I should have gotten my hydration system out and set it back up. This was the first race of the season and definately I will get it back out for the next race. I just didn't get enough water throughout the course. Still, I was ok with my time. I wanted to go faster, but given that I wasn't totally prepared for this race, I am ok with it.

Drink more.

I could have done much better on the transitions. I overshot my space and then forgot to take my gloves off. I am sure it was only a few seconds, but there was only 1 1/2 minutes between the three of us in the Athena category.

Get my bright green towel for next time. Think about exactly what I am going to do before I do it.

This was a pitiful run for me. This is MY training run course so I should have aced it. I was totally not prepared for this race. I should have had under a 10 minutes pace, but there was no way I could have done it today. I was getting cramps in places I never had cramps before, I skipped a few water stations I should not have skipped and I whimped out and walked a lot. My mistake!

Train better. I was going to say do more bricks...but hey I haven't done any. My training has consisted of running on the treadmill and doing minimal biking and swimming. I guess I should be happy with finishing. Man I am depressed now.

Got water, went straight over to the massage tables and got a massage for the first time ever. It was worth the wait. It was nice talking to Anne's husband (non-BTer, but his wife is a really awesome athlete, she got 1st in Masters) - I totally missed having Don (Donmck) there. It just isn't the same when he is not there.


I was very glad it was over. I felt ok about my race, I knew it wasn't going to be great. I didn't work out for 2 1/2 weeks leading up to the race, plus I am getting married next week. My mind has been on other things.


Peachtree City is a great place to have a race. The golf cart paths make a really nice run and the roads in PTC are generally wider. The people that live there are used to seeing bikes everywhere. Kim Bramblett and her husband Peewee do an awesome job in putting on these races. The really put the extra effort (even in things you don't even realize that they have done...like somehow scooped up the goose poop in the transition area) to make it a well run, fun race. Big kudos to Smokey Bones for the great post-race food.