In addition to the amazing weather and great organization Women of Steel was, for me, a great start to my second season of triathlon racing. This is a unique race in that there are SO MANY first timers, and all of them women! I got to the venue extra early so I could relax & take it all in (and avoid the super long line for body marking). It was fun for me to watch others doing what I did last year- wondering how exactly do you rack a bike, where's the best place to put my helmet, what all do I need to take with me to the swim, have I forgotten anything? I offered advice to a few, but mostly just watched and marveled at how far I'd come since this time last year.

We self-seeded for the swim and I made the mistake of being conservative on my estimated swim time. As I watched women in front of me start to breast stroke, side stroke and doggie paddle, I started to get really frustrated. Then I made a conscious decision to just let it go and enjoy the race for what it was, which was a lot of newbies. I can't say that I stuck to that decision. Looking back on the swim, I just laugh at myself. I was very uncharacteristically aggressive. If you were in front of me and swimming slower than you seeded yourself, you got pushed into the lane line and passed. Sorry!

Out of the water and on to T1. I love transitions because they can be a great equalizer. Anyone of any fitness level can put their shoes on quickly if they really want to.

As I mounted the bike in my last race of 2010, I remember my trainer saying to me, "Go pass 5 people." I wasn't able to do it at that race, but that's what I had in mind as I headed out on the next leg of this race. I started 'fishing'. As I caught and passed one bike, I would cast my sights on another and go for that one. Before I entered T2 I had passed 66 people! Let me tell you, that's my kind of fun!

T2 was the portion of the race where I placed the lowest overall (yes, I look at where I place in transitions). After pondering why that was, it hit me: many of the other participants did not change shoes from the bike to the run. That's exactly where I was last year. Who knew they made shoes that attach to your bike? What will they think of next? I've gotten kind of fond of my cycling cleats, so I'll settle for a lower placement on this part of the race.

The run is not my favorite, but I had scoped out the course and knew that after a little bit of uphill, it was a slight downhill all the way to the finish line. So I set out on my fishing expedition once again. I didn't make it anywhere near 66, but I caught a few and even fewer caught me.

Excitement was high at the finish line. I had several friends waiting there to congratulate me and to compare notes with (another benefit of having done this for a while--you're not alone). All of the finishers got Tri necklaces which was a nice change from medals, something I can wear on a day other than race day.

Women of Steel was not originally on my schedule for this race season, but I am so glad I started with this one. It was great to see all my work during the winter months pay off. I wasn't sure last week, but after this race, I can officially say I am ready for my 'sophomore year'.