This was my first OWS. So, I'll start by saying that there was a lot of learning going on in this first attempt. I was nervous or too hyped up when we started. However, I went out too fast (again) and never could reign in my tempo. It was very hard for me shut out what others around me were doing and focus in on my breathing and rhythm. About 1/4 way through the swim, I realized that my rhythm was way too fast and I needed to slow down. My HR had to be over 90%. I was struggling to say the least. I flipped over on my back and backstroked for a bit to calm down and reassess. I wanted to quit, seriously. I decided - I've never "quit" at anything and I wasn't gonna start today! Did somewhat better for the remainder of the swim, but still had a lot of trouble slowing my pace down. I had a hard time reconciling the fact that I couldn't see anything underwater and I think that caused me to loose focus on everything else. Still, I got my HR down, finished the last leg swimming freestyle and came out of the water not too loopy headed. I want to be "great" at everything right off the bat. I'm trying to give myself some slack w/ performance here. Learn from this first event. Can't be "great" the first time trying, right?

More OWS swim practice. Work on pacing, pacing, pacing.

Transition went alot better this time around. Got my insuling pump on, got a gel pack and unracked my bike smoothly. Cool.

Not much

The scenery, what I saw of it, was stunning! This was one of my best bike rides ever and I couldn't be happier about this bike section. I didn't get passed as much. Not once on the 2nd loop! And I actually passed people (even a couple of guys) on the 2nd loop. I felt much stronger climbing on the hills and I managed to actually drink and get a gel pack on the bike this time around. (These were goals for me in this race) My top speed was 36 mph - I've never been at that speed before on a bike. I was in with a group of others careening down this hill... I LOVED IT!

Not much for where I'm at in the sport right now. I need to keep on getting out there and riding. Hill work, distance and time in the saddle will make me better.

Not the best, not the worst

Practice bricks more

The course description listed the run as mostly flat. This was nowhere near flat!!! Again, I pushed way too hard on the swim and on the bike, although not as bad on the bike. I did not cramp up this time like my first event. I was not a happy camper with the hills and grassy terrain. (Stress fx last fall still has me a little scared on grassy terrain) Again I was dealing with thoughts of quitting - but I thought about the mental toughness score on these race reports and an awesome group of family & friends back at home that I wouldn't want to face if I quit. Then I just pushed all the negativity out of my mind and focused on one foot in front of the other. And voila! I was done. The last mile and half went by in a flash.

Pace myself better on the swim and the bike so I have something left in the tank for the run. Running is my strong point, but not if I expend everything I've got on the swim and the bike.

Grabbed a bannana, water and a couple of OREOS - yum! Headed straight to the transition area, packed up, grabbed my bike and headed for my car. I could not wait to see my family back at home. Amazing to me how much family/friend support at these events means.


Lack of experience, especially in the swim. I have to pace better. That will come with more experience, I'm sure.


A great race overall, just very challenging for me given my experience and ability level at this point. I'm very glad I did the race and will likely do it again next year. The RD and volunteers were great. The scenery was just beautiful. Bottom line - I accomplished the goals I set for myself in this race which is really good. That's what I have to focus on and not my place in the standings. Can't wait for my next one!!