I have never been a "good" swimmer but thiw went very well and I am happy. I felt incredibly comfortable in the water. The fast swimmers from the wave behind me overtook me about 700 yards in to the swim and they were flying. It gives me something to work toward.

Start swimming as a child instead of at age 37.

The line to get out of transition was really, really long. I have been practicing my running bike mount so when I got near the start line I ran past about 30 people, hopped on the bike and I was gone. I felt pretty cool about this. Funny story, as I grabbed my bike to run out of transition there is a guy, LAYING DOWN in the middle of the aisle, trying valiantly to get off his wetsuit and completely blocking my egress from T1. I picked my bike up and jumped over him and as I did, poured the entire contents of my profile aero drink, cold infinite, approx 30 oz, on this guy. Funny, except for now I am headed out on bike with NO FLUIDS at all.

Not get stuck behind so many people at the bike mount line. Not dump out my hydration/nutrition for the bike.

Thank goodness for that abandoned bottle of gatorade.

Flying dismount worked out almost as cool as te mount. I put on socks per plan which slowed my about 10 seconds. Otherwise very happy with this transition.

The run is my strength. I was advised to go out under control so that is exactly what I did. I really practiced drinking on the fly at the aid stations as this is a skill I need to develop. At about mile 2.5 an 18 year old woman, track star appearance, came buzzing by me. I decided that I was well under control and that I could probably run with her so I picked up the pace and followed her. My garmin said that we were running 6:30-40 for the next three miles and like I said, I just followed her (I hope she didn't think I was a lecherous old man). When we were nearing transition (the finish is about 0.6 miles past transition) the course took a decided up hill turn and I realized that I felt really strong. I passed my young pacer and took off. I have not looked at the final half mile pace but I was really moving and left her way behind by the finish line. As I was nearing the line I heard my wife cheer for me but could not pick her out of the crowd. It was awesome running down the shoot and across the finish.

Start just a little bit faster. I would like to get my 10 k run down close to 40 minutes so I have a goal to work toward.

Walked down to transition. Talked to folks that I had met before the race. Socialized. Drank way too much fluids.


This felt really good for a first race of the season. Train harder.


This is an excellent race and I highly recommend it. We drove eight hours to do this race and I would do it again.