Overall, I felt like I could have had a better swim, but I finished feeling strong. Once I settled into a pace, I focused on my breathing (every 3rd stroke). My navigation was poor. The bouyies were fairly far apart. The first leg to the turnaround was OK. It was a little crowded and although I tried drafting, it usually didn't work out.
Once I made the turn, I think I swam a decent amount extra due to the poor navigation.


Better navigation. To some extent, it was out of our control due to the number of bouyies. I would have also pushed it harder.

Coming up the boat ramp at the end of the swim I felt pretty good. Ran to bike rack. I tried my hardest to go to the bathroom in the river, but couldn't for some reason. Ended up peeling off wetsuit and just going while I put on my helmet and glass (before I put my socks and shoes on of course). It is amazing how little shame you have before/during/after the race. I had a small issue unracking my bike since the rack was so high my bike was hanging. I also forgot my gloves, but didn't end up mattering too much.
T1 rank was 45/62 in age group.

Reapply sunscreen and bodyglide. Also, remember gloves for longer distance races.

I felt pretty good for most of the first half. For the second half or so, I was growing less comfortable sitting in the saddle and switched gears a few times to stand and pedal. At about mile 30 or so, my right knee started bothering me like it did a few weeks ago during a longer ride. I massaged it a little and stood a few times in the saddle to stretch.
Once I had 10 miles left, I pushed it harder to finish strong.
Ended up having to stop twice for the restrooms. I guess I was staying hydrated.
I felt a little nauseous for part of the ride (it would come and go). I finished my aerobottle of GU20 fairly quickly. I was able to continue riding and refill my aerobottle with GU20. I ate PB Wheat crackers, half of a Harvest Bar, and a banana along with a few Electrolite tablets and a half of a GU. Water bottle exchanges were great!! Once I drank all my GU20, I grabbed a water and gatorate and watered down the Gatorade in my aerobottle.
Sun was relentless on the bike.

Reapply bodyglide in T1. Maybe wear bike shorts with tri shorts for longer races.

Crossed over timing mat and used the restroom so I could start the run feeling comfortable. I racked my bike, switched my shoes and dumped a Nalgene water bottle over my head. I grabbed my water bottle and hat and ran out.

Nothing. Felt good.
T2 rank was 39/62 in age group

The run, as I told Nate and Brad, is my achilles body! As I just started the run, I saw Brad coming in at his mile marker 13. Damn him!! My legs felt pretty good getting started. I thought my mile 1 time was horrible, but I later found out the mile markers weren't totally accurate. I told myself that I had to run to the aid station and then I could walk through as I got ice and water. I would grab a cup of water and dump it over my head, then grab a cup of ice and fill it with water. I would walk until I drank enough to fold the cup and run with it. I tried to keep from overheating by dumping water on my head, face, arms (and using ice). Two people had hoses (once at an aid station and the other was a spectator) that I definately used. Didn't feel good enough to eat a GU (was a little nauseous still). I ate a few crackers and pretzels in the aid stations. At the turn around, I realized that I had a decent amount of time left before the 8 hour cutoff (my only goal was to finish before cutoff). I tried to continue running the second half, but my legs were getting sore. I progressively started walking more and I think at some point, I was walking faster than I was running. With 2 miles left I knew I would make the cutoff and since I felt better walking, I continued until I saw Brad, Craig, Nate, and Heidi at mile marker 13 and I ran to the finish line.

Train more in hot, humid conditions (if this is possible).
Also, focus more on running. I am slowly learning to tolerate running (not loving it yet) so, as I get better and enjoy it more, I need to continue increasing my distance.

Used the restroom and watched Amy come in and finish. Then cooled off head/face with hose and grabbed something to eat.


Poor navigation on the swim. Headwind and saddle soreness on bike. Heat and sun and lack of enough training on the run.


I thought this race was great starting off with the packet pick up and expo on Saturday.
During the race, there were tons of volunteers that were very helpful and friendly. There were a good number of aid sations on both the run and bike. The only thing I can think of for improvement are the restrooms. There just weren't enough of them.
Overall, a well run race. Even better was the fact that of the 6 people in our group that entered, we all finished (some with really great times)! It was so great to train and race with friends/family!