Holy crowded wave - there were so many people here - felt like 150+! I walked for a few steps after the gun, and began not having to swim very hard, there was such a strong draft. Navigation was good, but staying with the fast pack could have been better. Goggles worked fine.

Increase volume and intensity of upper body workouts!

I still haven't tried the clipping bike shoes to bicycle in a race yet; this, plus no socks might make me go faster. In a sprint race, I really wouldn't mind the discomfort to much, as it isn't for very long.

Hot dog - Climbing could have been (a lot) faster, but breathing was good! Downhills, steering, acceleration was excellent. I did the bike more than 5 minutes faster than last year, even with having to stop and put my chain back on on the final hill (doh! - need a new chain or adjusting).

Drink a little bit more water; practice faster climbing IN the saddle.

Nothing.

As always...I lose on the run, my nemesis. I should have run this under 25 minutes (only 3 miles?!), but alas. I had a really tough time breathing for mile 1; felt slightly better on mile 2, cruised through mile 3. Leg muscles were a little fatigued, but mainly, it is ability to breathe and open up that stride that is hindering me. Teammates say my running style is "classy and graceful." Our team coach says I look like I'm being gentle to Mother Earth (as I'm stepping so light). While all this is nice, it ain't fast. I think I just need to quicken my turnover, work on not going anaerobic, and get more more more running miles in!

Run faster: push through the pain!

Water, light stretching, Stonyfield yogurt, gabbed with teammates. Stuck around for about 1.5 hours, munching, watching awards, seeing Sarah Reinertsen speak (she was racked right next to me; she is an amazing athlete - looked really strong! very inspiring!). Didn't see the Hoyt's compete this year, although I saw them at the expo on Friday night, so maybe I just missed them today.

Family commitment came up this afternoon/evening, so unfortunately, I couldn't stay for the BT gathering at 3 PM. (But I will be there at 5 AM TOMORROW MORNING to volunteer and cheer you on!!) With 1-3" of rain expected, y'all will be my HEROS!!


Lack of disciplined training. Consider how little training I've done lately, I'm amazed I beat last year's time. I need to drop some weight, boost my muscular encdurance, talk to the doc. about an inhaler for the run, and increase overall volume (next year).


Like last year, the course was well-staffed and well-maintained (including new pavement on portions of the bike. The race was more crowded than last year by hundreds...verging on too crowded (time to cap this??). I was shoved around on the swim, there were pelatons on the bike, and the run was crowded, with folks being a bit pushy to get through, I ended up in the dirt shoulder a few times. It is great that the race is so popular, I just wish I could be more competitive in it.

Food note: all the pizza and ice cream were gone when I went to the tent (really not that long after I finished). Shocked, I settled for yogurt and (my own) Gu20 recovery drink), then had lunch when I got home. Bummed, but I should have known better than to wait for the good food!!