This march the downcanal was drained and dredged - for about a month it was sparkling clean. Then the muck started to reappear. On race day there was a nice slime covering the bottom of the canal and by the start of the Sprint race a nice bit of that muck had been churned to the top. It was enough to make you want to swim with your head out of the water. At least when you swim in a lake you can't really see the muck. My Mom's comment: "You might want to start a course of antibiotics when you get done with the race." Thanks Mom.

My goal for the swim portion was to swim my own race and not get flustered by the other racers. Goal accomplished. However, I swam slow, slow, slow. I think this is a testament to how much I've neglected my swimming over the past month. I need to make sure to hit as many of my scheduled swim workouts between now and my Oly.

Had a pretty decent T1. Made it quickly to my bike, popped on my shoes and ran to the mount site.

My goal was a 18+ mph average bike speed. I came up short. I think I got a little complacent around the middle of the bike and sat back a little.

Push just a little bit harder

Had issues with getting into my running shoes. I really need to look into the elastic laces so I won't have to bother with getting laces tied.

Had a decent run. I was a little worried I wasn't going to make it to the finish. When I was on the bike I started feeling really hungry. I think I used up every last bit of energy I had left to get to the finish line of the run.

Better pre-race nutrition or remember to throw some calories in my pocket for the bike ride.

Gatorade, muffins, bananas, grapes, granola bars - lots of food went in my mouth. I was hungry! On the drive back home I stopped at Starbucks for my favorite post-race drink - doubleshot on ice. Yum.


I'm afraid the condition of the canal doesn't bode well for having this race again next year. The muck will probably be 2 feet deep by then. It's a shame because I had a great time. White River State Park is a great venue for a race.