This was the first time I'd done this event, which turned out to be a really good one. The most unusual aspect was that there were two transition areas. First a swim/bike transition, then a bike/run transition. I arrived in the morning at the bike/run transition area at South Lakes High School and dropped off my running gear. Then I rode my bike to the swim/bike transition at Lake Audobon for body marking and last minute preparations.

There were seven waves, which I believe they told me were arranged according to estimated swim finish time. I was in the fourth wave. The water temperate was fantastic - 76 degrees! Unfortunately, I had a hard time with the swim due to my fogging goggles – I had to stop and clear them 5 or 6 times. There was a lot of debris in the lake probably due to the rain from the weekend before. When it was all over I had twigs and leaves in my suit!

On to the bike course, which I thought was great – a nice mix of uphills, downhills, and flat spots. It consisted of three loops of approximately 7 miles each, the third loop turns off near the end to head to the transition area. The course was a little dangerous at times with passing as it was pretty narrow in spots. There was fine gravel on the shoulder in a few places which probably didn’t help either. A few people apparently wiped out on the course. My chain fell off at one point, near the end of my third lap. There were also a lot of patches on the road, which made for a bumpy ride at times. The turn off to head to the transition area was also a bit tricky as you go from riding along the right side of the road to scooting over into traffic to get into a left turn lane. 

Finally the run. It also had a mix of uphills, downhills, and flat spots, however I thought it was brutal! Going into it I had no idea it would be so hilly! I think I somehow misinterpreted 'shaded trails of Reston' for 'flat course'. Fortunately it was mostly in the shade, so thank goodness for that. The water stops were all manned by kids who did a fantastic job and were also great cheerleaders. The finish was very cool because you came into the South Lakes HS stadium and did about ¾ lap around the track to the finish line. It is kind of fun having people in the stands cheering you and everybody else on.

In the end I was not last in my age group. I finished in just under 3 hours – the winning time for my age group was 2:28:50. I was 2:58:52. And of course, my transition times could have been better...much better. But who can't relate to that? As usual, I could have been better prepared, but I was happy that I was not last in my age group. I was 22 out of 32 overall in my age group, and 66 out of 145 for all women. As I said, it was a good race. If I can get in next year I will race again. But first I will invest in a new pair of goggles!