Although I took 2 minutes off of my swim from last year, it was awful! I noticed people running beside me just as fast as I was swimming....so I joined them. My goggles were leaking so that didn't help my flow. Probably tired myself out by running, but better than some eye infection from the green slime! Took a gu just before race.

Do more OWS...one doesn't cut it! Get new goggles.

Good transition, no wetsuit to contend with, I had a middle isle.

Nothing.

I debated on walking the killer hill right off the bat coming out of the gate, but I felt good coming out of the swim. Holy Crap, those headwinds were strong...felt like for every pedal stroke I took, I'd get pushed back..ok, not that bad, but I couldn't even catch up to a group to try to break some of the wind..not draft, just protect me a little bit.. About mile 16/17 my knee and hip starting giving me a lot of grief. Decided I would lolligag it in and hang up my bike and be done since I told my P.T. I would. Took a gu at the about mile 12. I was amazed at the people flying by me in their tribikes and checking out their numbers to see what wave they were from. I was left far behind....Ok...I passed a few on mountain bikes...I remember those days! I did enjoy the butterfly that flew right in front of me, waved at a few kids, and thanked all the helpers! ;) That was my goal was to just finish, not race....hard to do when you are so competitive!

Not get hurt. I think if I was healthy and could have pushed, I would definatley would have been at like 22 mi/hr pace. The last 5 miles or so I was going pretty dang slow like 14/15 when I looked down. I was definately not feeling good.

Pulling into transition a lady was yelling at us to dismount...so I slammed on my brakes and almost caused a pile up...I was right we did have about 15 feet to go, boy was I pisssed.

Pay better attention to where I was coming in. I would have had a smooth dismount, but lady freaked me out!

Again, debated walking the hill to save my leg and of course, I didn't hang up my bike. I'm not a quitter, I could just walk the 3.1 right? Yeah...not when you are a competitive freak! So I ran until it hurt by my knee a little after mile 2. In my head I was thinking, you gave it a shot, you made a promise to stop, and look what restraint it takes. I walked a bit,then a 12 year old kid ran past me....t%$#! I couldn't let that happen, so I ran the rest of the way. Don't know if I caught him, but I ran the rest, felt ok. I really had to pay attention to my form when I was trail running not to add more stress to my IT band and to heel strike. That was tough.

I only had a handful of runs in since I was giving the ok to run. Definately could have used more runs.

Stretched...ate a little, cheered on friends doing the HIM.


Injury and pain.


I had a lot of energy at the end that I could have used in the race. I was surprised at how well conditioned I was for being out. All that crosstraining definately helps. Mental breakdown and physical breakdown with injury definately holding me back! Felt good to finish...didn't want the DNF...Only a minute off of last year's time..imagine if I had been healthy! Bummed I wasn't doing HIM, but happy for friends that finished theirs...I finished, not far off of last years time...did I mention I almost started bawling when I crossed the finish line...relief that i finished? Or pain? Not sure. Just glad I did..tough to feel happy for, but working toward it.