Picked up race packet Saturday. Tried to bike the run course but was blocked by construction. I thought, "We're going to run through this???" Got bike checked for safety and left my bike in transition to save time following morning.

Dynamic movements to get body warmed up. Standing freestyle strokes in wetsuit. Got in lake and swam around to get acclimated for 10 minutes. Water felt nice!

I planned on using this swim as a warmup to the bike segment so I held back a little bit.

Possibly be a bit more aggressive using higher stroke rate since the bike segment would my most comfortable segment of the race.

Suit got stuck a bit at my ankles. I'm so thoughtful during transition that I'm a bit slow compared to the speedsters but I don't mind. I unsuited top half before entering transition. Forgot to reattach timing chip which cost me about 10 seconds.

Don't forget timing chip.

Finished M/FOP here yay! The bike is always my best and favorite part of triathlon. Managed the ascents really well. Attacked the descents aggressively. Passed alot of cyclists. Still held back a bit due to temperatures rising and preparing for the run.

Nothing.

Smooth dismount. Felt comfortable and not out of breath off the bike. Took off bike socks and sprayed alot of TriSlide on both feet. Put on socks with pre-applied TriSlide, shoes, and double knotted.

Use BodyGlide! Give speed laces a try and forget about Nike Sportband.

Felt pretty strong first 2 miles with some minor quad cramps out of T2 which I fought off. Kept cool by splashing water over my head and back. Route was mostly flat as reported. Course changed from last year's though.

Right quads cramped up halfway up 2nd ascent near turnaround where I slowed to walking. TriSlide evaporated??? Feet felt blistery after 3.5 miles. Fought through this, got right quad cramps again halfway up ascent @ 4.5 mile mark. Feet felt worse. Kept going at 10K pace, heard festivities and remembered finish chute was very close so I accelerated through all the pain and cramps. Nope! Not the finish, had 1K to go! Argh! Right quads cramped again and feet killing me slowed my pace to walking a couple times then when chute was 1/4 mile away, I gave it all I got and finished! =)

Use BodyGlide instead of TriSlide for running distances >5K. Bring extra pair of socks with pre-applied BodyGlide. More hill repeats to train quads to manage them better.

Hydrated, walked around, stretched, chatted with other finishers. Hung out at the VIP area with Ken and his family. Ate oranges, bananas, and full bottle of Endurox R4. Ate some tacos and a burrito. Chatted with the CHP officers.

TriSlide failed, right quad cramps on running ascents.

Good race but must have good climbing skill on the bike segment. Really tough for a first Oly! I'm considering doing this race again next year but that will be determined by my race schedule for next year. Great finish for my first triathlon racing season! =)