Swimming is my thing, the one leg of this where I'm comfortable. This whole triathlon thing is to get me out of my comfort zone!

I got stopped twice behind groups of brave ladies where there were no holes to get through. Had to zap some energy to get around them on the outside -- hey, they were out there when most people were in bed asleep! I was further from the buoys than I should have been, but my claustrophobia kicks in if I'm in a large group with arms and legs flailing. I stayed safe and outside for most of the race. At the last buoy/turn, put head down and plowed all the way into the finish.

Be more aggressive and stay on a straighter course near the buoys.

I finished the swim hard, so the run uphill to the transition area was hard and I had to walk part of it. Took longer than I thought to dry my feet and get my socks and shoes on. I think I was just sitting on the ground for a while trying to catch my breath. Drank some water and 1/2 a GU packet.

Go faster.

I was happy to have just finished it. I haven't been on a bike in 20 years until the last few months of training. Rode the entire Iron Girl course only one time this past week before the race.

Three hills kicked my butt, so I walked up each for a few minutes. I promised myself I wouldn't do that, but oh well. Stood up on a couple of hills and my legs were completely spent afterwards and my heartrate was through the roof. Husband's bike is smoking on the downhills, but pokey on the uphills. But that could just be me!


I obviously needed more hill work. If I had done the course 2-3 more times, I would have been much more prepared.

I used my running shoes instead of cycling shoes during the bike, so the only thing I had to do was take off my helmet and gloves, take off my fanny pack (with bike innertube, pump, etc.), and put on my visor and my bib number. Good transition. LOVE the tri-suit!

Nothing. When I upgrade to my own bike and cycling shoes, I will need to practice the shoe switch.

I walked way too much. I had a cramp starting the run in my ribs and also had to retie my shoes, so I walked longer than I wanted to. Walked up hills and ran down hills and level areas. Saw one other Athena pass me about .50 mile out, so I caught her, passed her, and ran most of the way to the finish. I don't know how I dug that out of me.


Run more.

Ate bagel with cream cheese, banana, oreos with peanut butter,
drank more water. Going up and down the hills at the finish stretched out my legs pretty well. Waited in line for a free massage, but the line was just too long so I gave up.


Not being as prepared for the hills as I should have been.


Loved it and had a great time! Smiled and thanked all the volunteers and spectators and cops directing traffic.

50% of the participants entered this as their first triathlon - this was my first since I've been an adult. I had a very hard time with the hills, but that was because I didn't train like I should have. I'm a hill wuss.

Great fan support and very organized. I would like to do the race again next year and better my time. Maybe I can convince my daughter to do it with me. She was my photographer today. She and my husband were my cheering section. I will upload pics if they're not too embarassing! :)