This was a smidge slower than some of my swims in this series. But, it was a very calm swim, which was nice. I spent most of the time wondering about the benefits of staying with the pack versus taking a straighter line when the pack veers. (They veered wide right again.)

It might be better to stay with the pack and get some draft action. Dunno.

This was a good, quick transition, and I still managed to ask the woman that bailed on the race if she was okay. I'd chatted ever so briefly with her while getting ready, and she's doing Ironman, so I was shocked that she'd bailed during the swim. But, I guess it just goes to show that anything can happen.

Nothing - it went well.

I was really really ecstatic with this run. It was by far my best run of the season. I started out feeling good and loose. As I neared the turn-around, I realized that the same woman had been chasing me for a while. On the way back, I thought she was going to catch me on the hill, but she didn't and I pulled away again on the downhill. Her coach was yelling at her to get me, and she did right at the end. But, having her back there really pushed me to go faster. Afterwards, I told her "good kick" and she apologized for catching me. I told her that she didn't need to apologize, I had nothing left, but that having her behind me had pushed me the whole race, so I owed her thanks.

I probably could have dug a wee bit deeper and really blown myself up for the end of the race. I might have had a smidge left. But, really, other than that, I was super happy with this run.

I chugged some water and cheered on a few of the remaining people. But, the bugs were bad, so I bailed pretty quickly.


Um... not warming up? Generally starting the race with a "who gives a crap" attitude? I dunno.