I have been working on improving my swim. I figured this being a short swim it would be a good opportunity to push it. So instead of waiting for the group and walking in I started towards the front and went hard to the first buoy. Settled in behind another swimmer and drafted off her till the last turn buoy where we got seperated. Struggled to see the beach with the sun right above it, but stayed between two swimmers hoping we were right. Stood up and ran to the mats excited to see 19:15. I don't think that I have ever been below 2 /100 in a race yet.

Keep pushing harder during the swim. It has always intimidated me but until I get in the mix I will always start the bike behind.

Dropped the garmin pulling the suit off and had to run back after it as I didnt realize it at first. A nice volunteer was running toward me with it.

Like the swim I need to push the transitions harder

The first part of this course is the same as the full Tinman so I was familiar with the hills. Good roads with plenty of room. Made some passes here and got passed.
At the turn off the road goes up a hill similar to Miller hill where I ride regularly. After this the rolling hills continue but the road condition deteriorates. Almost to a point of being gravel. Turnaround is almost sandy.
Return towards the end and on a shorter but steep climb I drop my chain and it gets stuck in the crank. Get it fixed but after this the bike is making some noises and I lose the power data. I am guessing the noise was the magnet rubbing and it finally fell off.
Not my best effort on the bike.

I think I should have changed the gears to a 12/27 as I had the 11/23 on with the compact crank. I really didn't investigate the course assuming it would be similar to the full which I did with the 11/23 last year. My mistake.

I had to stop at the porto potty. Otherwise I just need to treat transition with more urgency.

Move faster

This is the same course as the first half of the full Tinman, so I knew what to expect, hills... Nothing dreadful but plenty of climbing. Ran along pushing the pace as much as I can. Cooling off with a cold cup of water over the head at the aid stations. Warm, but not as bad as the full Tinman runners would face later.
Not my best effort, not my worse.

I put on some weight post IMFL and it needs to come off. Definately feeling that extra 10 pounds on a course like this.

Rode back to the RV and packed up. Came back to the race site and headed out on the run course to find Dud and cheered him on.

FYI, at this point the times are off my Garmin other than the overall time. I will update once they are posted.


Good race with a long history.