Wasn't happy with my swim. Got stuck in the middle of the pack at the start and couldn't break free until after going under the bridge. After that, I had to move up by myself from the main pack up to the leaders in our wave. If I was able to get to them before the gun went off I think I could have shaved a minute off my time. Getting banged up and caught in the huge pack of people in the beginning hurt my swim.

Do whatever is possible to stay at the front of the pack before the gun goes off.

Had a decent T1. It was a long run from the swim into transition, hence the long time. I decided to put BodyGlide right over the chip strap this time, and my wetsuit didn't get stuck on it. It's something I'll definitely continue to do.

Wasn't a bad ride. I just expected the run course to be way more flat than it actually was. It was a mistake on my part, but it didn't make me have a bad bike, just one that I didn't expect. 5 minute PR on the bike so I'm happy.

Drink more (see run).

Had trouble putting my socks on in T2. Added probably 15 seconds just from this alone.

Practice transitions more.

Didn't have a good run at all. Cramped badly the entire time, most likely from not drinking nearly enough on the bike. Was a painful run all over and just didn't feel very well at all.

Drink more on the bike.

A nice sit in the hotel hot tub.


Not drinking enough on the bike; a rough swim start.


Without a doubt the best race I've ever done. I was at first a bit nervous simply because there were triple the amount of racers in this than the largest race I've done previously, but the way USAT ran it was perfect. Very organized all-around.