2XU Malibu Triathlon (2022)

This was a gorgeous, if logistically brutal, race requiring multiple hour trips to Malibu and a 3:15am alarm on race day. But the conditions were perfect: cloud cover and a light rain during the run, and waves big enough to make this ocean swimmer feel like she had an advantage. Zuma beach has a reputation for rough water, but it was clean and clear. Charging out into the ocean, ringed with lifeguards all screaming, "go!" or "dive!" was and experience its own. Plus when you rounded the third turn and caught the current, it felt like getting shot out of a cannon.

I also got to try out my new Tri Bike and loved being in aero and the slick DI2 shifting was a game changer. My time may not look impressive, but the buoys in the swim were mis-placed; by my watch I did 1.15mi. My run was the fastest 10k I've done all year.

But even more amazing on this race was all the folks I met and who recognized me from my involvement in LA Tri Club folks I knew and others I barely recognized greeted me by name, which was incredibly cool.