Got stung by a jellyfish about 200 meters in, and started to panic a bit. First jelly sting, and I began to believe that there were jellyfish everywhere. I had to float on my back for a bit to get my head back on straight.

I have no clue why it took 7 minutes longer than normal for T1.

I was significantly undertrained (Longest road ride of the year was 30 miles, total milage was less than 100 miles), so I focused on HR management, keeping my HR in the 150-160 range. Average speed for the first 60 or so was around 20mph, and dropped from there.

Took some time to clean up, and dry myself off. T2 was a full wardrobe change. Didn't feel like 10 minutes

Again, coming into this significantly undertrained (Longest run was a half marathon 4 months before, with a 10 mile run 1 month before), my focus was on keeping a 10 minute mile pace and a HR between 160-170. Felt great for the first 1/2 mile or so, but my heart rate started to spike. Figured that the HR was more important than pace, so I took it easy and walk/ran the whole thing. This was my first Marathon, in addition to my first Ironman, so I didn't know how my body would react. At around mile 25, decided to dump the tank and finished at a 7:30 pace.

Thanks to CTA for an amazing race. I will be back in 2012, with a goal of 12.5 hours.