1st AG and 7th OA at the Bassman Half Distance Triathlon

My first race of the season with Aidan as my coach, and first ever half ironman distance...and my first age group win ever!
The swim was probably the hardest of all! I panicked after 5 minutes but managed to collect myself and get back into it. It could have been because of the chill water temperature (I believe 55-56 degrees) and the anxiety, excitement, and adrenaline of participating in my first half distance that got the best of me 5 minutes into the swim. It took me about 30 minutes (hell yeah!) to swim the 1.2 miles and off I am on the bike for 56 miles.
The bike course is pancake flat, and the chill temperatures didn't affect me 1 bit. I covered the 56 miles in about 2hr23min with no flat and no injuries to notice. I wondered how I'd react to the half marathon leg I still had to deal with!
I started the run roughly 3 hours after the gun went off and the 60F weather only helped me col down and maintain a low HR. I knew that if I maintained a steady pace in the first 6.5 miles, I'd be able to keep it up through the finish. 1'27 to cover the roughly 13.1 miles and only 6 athletes crossed the finish before me! SUCCESS!

Thrilled about the race, and looking forward to Black bear in 2 weeks!