This was the best OWS I have had in a race. I felt really relaxed but focused. I managed to draft a bit, which was new. I kind of liked itJ. There was a lot of jostling for position at the start and for the first time, I was in the thick of it. The jostling continued as the heat behind us caught up with a lot of aggressive swimmers.

Keep swimming distance, keep working on technique, be confident! (And really learn to draft!)

The transition area for this race feels like it’s a mile long and my transition times reflect that! I guess I’d better keep practicing these!

Learn to do a moving mount (I won't say flying yet).

This was not my fastest ever bike leg, but overall I think it’s the smartest I have ever had. There were hills – and more than that one! – and I feel like I rode them well. I was also really happy with my cornering & passing. Got into a rhythm early and I rode a steady pace. I really cannot complain with an 18.2 average on that course – and I had a lot of fun out there with my new bike! (I hit one downhill at 34.2. THAT was fun!)

Really, I wouldn’t change much. I have some set-up work to do with my bike to get her right where I need her. My knees are a little sore tonight and that’s new, which tells me I’m not in quite the right position.

Again, the t-area that went on forever. Legs were a little wobbly right off the bike, but I ran it in and ran all the way out to start the run. (My one issue with this race is that those of us with t-spots way at the end have a lot longer to travel from bike to run (both directions) than those who are near the exit. There is no accounting made for this in time, and while it really doesn’t matter for me in the grand scheme, it’s kind of interesting to note that the elites had T2 times of under 30 seconds and I could not have possibly made it to my rack in under 30 seconds, much less into my shoes and back out.)

Ah, the run. No stomach cramps this year, but oddly, my right quad cramped up about ½ mile into the run. I alternated running & walking for the entire 5.3 miles and kept working on the cramp and it seemed to help. My time was 6 minutes faster than last years, so that’s a plus. And I actually enjoyed myself out there.

More longer runs off longer bikes…keep working on running. Believe it or not, all my running time IS paying off…but it's where my position drops off in the overall rankings.

Saw Kelly right after I finished & we stood in the mist showers for a minute. Steve found me and we chatted while I got food & drink. Then I found my wonderful children (who got to wait out this race without Dad and were amazing!),packed up my gear, and then went to the awards ceremony.


I can honestly say this is the most fun I have ever had racing, including the run. I didn’t place as high as I have in some other races, but that’s so much a matter of who shows up that day. I feel really good about my swim & bike legs and okay about the run. I need to do more distance all the way around, but right now, I am happy! And I'll be swimming & running a lot in the next week!


This race is so well organized and has such a friendly feel to it, even with 1300 racers. It draws a lot of talent and people keep coming back year after year. I will keep doing it!