I was in the second wave to start so I got to watch the first wave fight the current and confirm what I had already decided would be my game plan. Prior to the first wave start Nate and I sat and watched people warming up. They would enter the river and face up current at and start swimming and swimming strong. They were lucky if they stayed in place. Some were not so lucky and ended up slightly down stream. So my knowledge of current due to sail boat racing paid off for both Nate and I. We had planned on staying as far left as possible. This worked wonderfully. So the swim to the sand bar was not bad at all. Did a little drafting and then stood up and started running in knee deep of water. But as I was moving I felt a strange sensation around my ankle where my chip was. And next thing I knew the chip was gone. So here I go on a search and rescue mission for the chip, not only did I not want to go un-timed, but I didn’t want to pay the fee for the chip if it was lost. After 45 sec to 60 secs I found it and put it back on. But then 30 secs later it came off again. This time it only took me 20 sec to find it and tie it to my wrist. Got to edge of sandbar and swam up current to make the bridge section. I was the farthest left and still only made it by 5 feet. The people to the right got plastered against the 10foot wide cement bridge column and some how either made it through or went through the other arch. (no real policing of this area).

From here swim went smoothly, good sighting and breathing.
Exited the boat ramp and entered T1 (time included in swim time)

bring own velcro so that if i think velcro on chip is old I can replace it. Otherwise nothing:)

T1: only had to put on shoes but the whole chip thing cost me more time. One official said ok to it being on my wrist, other said no and was determined to put it on my ankle with new Velcro he found. Cost me about 60 secs.

not loss chip

This is where my day went from really good to not so good. But I knew it would because I am not a mountain biker. With in the first 5 mins I threw a chain. Then took a really good spill. (now I have a 6-8" handle bar bruise on upper thigh). After that point I realized that I just needed to survive the course and finish with out getting injured. So I went slow and easy trying to get throught what I consider a challenging course. But in the end I had fun. And towards the end I even though to myself, once I am done with the ironman training I am going to hit the trails this fall to learn how to mountain bike. Then come back next year and do it the way it is meant to be done.

learn to mountain bike:)
get a camelpack for mtb so that i drink more

T2 was run to bike. only had to put on helmet and glasses and go.

nothing

Started off with a little bit of slosh stomach due to a good glup of river water. But picked up pace and passed 5 women. Once again the fastener gods were not with me, my race belt clip broke and race number fell off. Had to stop go back a couple feet and tie it on to waist. But rest of run was fun. The stair climb made the hr spike for a couple of seconds but passed 2 people on the way up.

Passed Nate with one mile to go. Got to transition and was told I was 2nd woman overall.

nothing

Walked around, ate some watermelon and drank h20 and gatorade. Watched the awards. I won a nice large embroidered towel for 3rd in my age group.


not knowing how to ride the mountain bike


Really fun and different event. I think I would have given it a 5 rating if I did better on the mtb. Maybe next year. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an xterra event near them.