whew! Pre-race I ate some peanut butter crackers, red bull, G2 drink, and 1/2 powerbar. I'd been SUPER-hydrating for days and felt crazy BLOATED and JIGGLY GUT, but knew I was ready. Left hotel w/fasttoad and mtmoi and headed off to Wilderness to transition area. LOVED the setup of this race...atmosphere was electric and transition area was cool. LOVED IT. The day before when we checked in our bikes, I just tried to take it all in...my FIRST HIM. Awesome. We arrived at Magic Kingdom parking lot to ride shuttles over at 5a or so and realized quickly that we'd be pushing it to get there in plenty of time...hmmmm, glad bikes were already checked in!

No time for any kind of warmup...actually got there JUST in time. They were quite liberal w/clearing out T area (I suspect bc they knew of the bus delays) so I was probably a little over-nerved for nothing. Forgot our pump, so had to get assistance on tires and then set up T area. Felt rushed and had to calm myself down when aero bottle kept giving me issues. (In the end, I forgot to put on bike computer!)

Hmmm. I hear on the race reports that the swim was actually LONG...I think it probably was, too. Overall, the swim was OK for me...by far, not my best swim - but considering my situation at PlayTri a few months ago, I felt successful bc I had to overcome some mental struggles in the 1st 500m.

At the start I felt panicked and had to fight the mind a bit ("this is EXACTLY how you felt at PlayTri..." - "NO its not...I will be fine...I'm ready for this") but eventually found a rhythm and settled in.

Overall, not happy w/this swim, but tried to remember my goal for this race: TO FINISH and enjoy the day. I was happy to see the last of the buoys...glad to get on the bike!

More OWS practices...more swims after last race collapse to help w/mental side.

LOOOOOOOOONG run to T area. Very impressed tho bc they layed mats on ENTIRE path...nice bc I was worried about that mulch. I tried to take it all in...GREAT T area. Huge trees, shade, and even some horses looking on. Great spectator support! Goggles and cap off fine...struggled to get FREAKIN beeping watch off! Got it off and threw it down in transition...

One bummer was that as I was taking bike out my aero bottle came undone and velcro fell on ground! UGH! Took me awhile...tried to calm down and keep hands steady as I reattached it.

Nothing...felt fine...I was READY to get on the bike

Loved every minute...great ride. Flat and fast. Even in the rain (started at about mile 30 for 30 mins or so - then wet roads all the way in), I felt fast and comfortable. I dont feel like I went too hard or too easy...no regrets on pacing, etc. I've NEVER gotten to pass so many folks on the bike before...that felt great. Enjoyed MOST of the other racers - lots of encouraging words and fun folks. Except for the TOOLBOX who exited the T area w/me and started yelling (on the initial 90 degree turn as we went out) "C'mon Kris...no brakes!! We're racing here!!" TOOL. I yelled back "Then next time you better get out of the water a little faster buddy" but I dont think he heard me. Sheesh...dude, we're 10 ft into the bike...give me a break!

I do think tho - that the rain tricked us all into slowing down our drinking...it would show up on the run. Every regret I have is on things that were outside of my control - construction, long course, ending in park (slow!), sidewalk riding, raining. Kept looking down at my pix of kiddos and remember that "I get to" and not "I have to". This IS a choice...loved this ride, truly.

Drink more electrolytes...I hosed H20 and shouldve taken in more electrolytes in prep for what was coming...

Got severe TIRED HEAD and walked bike in thru T area. For those who get frustrated w/this - remember it is a WIDE LANE...go around! I try to not hinder others' race, but it cracks me up when people in a race of 2000 get mad when others are in their way!

Got to WET WET WET transition area and was concerned about putting on wet socks. In the end, I decided to go ahead and wear them for fear of blisters. Put on fuel belt and realized blocks and salt pills were disentegrating. Hmmm, not good. Still made the switch pretty quick and was on the move.

Put shoes upside down to keep the POOLS of water out...might save socks too. Keep salt pills in baggy.

I ran for the 1st 2 miles or so and then gut issues started checkin in. I knew things were not going to be good. Tried to assess situation every 10 minutes or so, but my gut was cramping so bad I had to walk. I knew that was bad. Goal was "trashcan to trashcan" in aid stations. Once I walked and gut calmed, I tried to run again...NOT HAPPENING. About then I saw Brent (mtmoi) and he didnt look good. He later caught me and we walked the next lap together. Once he caught me (at around 3.5 miles - and 8ish for him) I knew that if I wanted to finish, I'd have to walk it. Frustrating. Mentally I was READY to run, but the heat/humidity had its way w/me. I knew if I ran - I'd be sick and then dehydrated beyond repair...and then done. If I walked and tried to keep drinking, my gut quit cramping (the minute I'd pick up pace - I was doubled over and got chills). It was truly a PRIDE CHECK...I came into this w/the goal of FINISHING and now I was being tested...did I want to push thru and possibly risk that goal for a 12 minute mile? Sheesh...not a chance. From then on, focus became staying cool and continuing to move forward at all times.

Drink more - even when I felt like I was hydrated well. I stuck to my game plan, but my game plan worked in Texas' 85 degree heat - NOT in 100% humidity and 94 degrees. Other than that, I'm not sure...pick a LESS hot/humid race this early in season next time!

I went to the med tent so I could cool down. Brent had to go and get an IV after race...he was in bad way when I ran into him on the run. I knew he was hurting more than he'd say. His HR was crazy high and he couldnt muster up energy to run a single step after he caught me. I was worried. After I finished tho, he looked GREAT. Wow. We actually rode our bikes back to MK lot and that felt good...much better than walking. Hung w/the best "champion" of all time - fasttoad and felt amazing that I achieved my goal. I FINISHED.

heat/humidity and mental issues on the swim...its hard to not "what if" all day long about the run, but in the end, I got my "finisher" hat and I'm proud of myself.

Personally - loved this day bc I did something I never thought I could do and got to do it w/my fav person of all time. Often we 'plan' for the PERFECT race day...not sure it exists. This was a day of making adjustments and just doing the best I could w/what I had left. I finished. I finished. I'm happy w/that.

This race was well-run and I loved it! I doubt I'll ever do it again...the heat/humidity was too much. But I was very impressed. This was teh BEST group of volunteers I've ever seen at a race. I never wondered where I was going or what to do...great instruction. Even better were the aid station workers...very encouraging and positive. WE NEEDED IT on that run. I still cant believe its over...no IF ONLYs here...just thankful that I can/did do it!

Race Reports Modeled with Permission from
Endurancecoach's Triathlon Post Race Analysis Sheet.