I actually got to draft off of several people and at several different times. My navigation was a little off. Need to sight more frequently. Swam with DeSoto coolers on and didn't use enough body glide. Bad chafing. Towards the middle of my second lap, it felt like a lot of splashing. I finally figured out it was raining, 2 1/2 hours earlier than predicted and nothing in transition was covered! Even though I wasn't as fast as I thought I would be, this was a pretty good swim for me. I managed to keep swimming while sighting as opposed to the past where I would stop swimming to sight. My plan was to swim 2:20/100. Just a little off.

Use more body glide or not wear the coolers in the water with a sleeveless wetsuit. Cover my stuff in transition. Sight more often. Spend more time practicing in open water.

There were wet suit strippers and I knew exactly what to do, on my back and let them pull it off. They were a blessing. This was a lightning fast transition for me. Everything was wet. I had originally planned to wear socks on the bike, but changed my mind. it was still raining in T1. I stupidly didn't bring the cycling cap that I had bought to keep the rain off my glasses and face. I also didn't wear the rain jacket I had borrowed, because it was relatively warm.

Cover my stuff in transition when there's even a slight chance of rain.

I wore only tri clothes and helmet and shoes. It was too rainy and foggy to wear my cycling glasses, so I couldn't see my Garmin, so I didn't know for sure what my power numbers were. I was hesitant to go fast through all the standing water on the roadways. I took my turns very carefully. I had planned my nutrition with a reserve bike/run bag. I opted to mix it all for the bike and dump whatever was left in my run bottle to start the run. My plan was for 17.8 mph and I hit 17.1. Given the downpours and standing water and not being able to read the Garmin, I think this was a pretty good ride. I should have been just a little more aggressive. I had half a bottle left to start the run.

Not be quite as cautious in the rain. Wear my cycling cap and see if I could wear the cycling glasses with it. Wear a rain jacket so the raindrops wouldn't hurt.

This was a long transition from the mount line and I was at the far end of transition. For the distance I had to run with the bike, I am pleased with this time. It was still raining and everything was still very wet. I opted to start out without socks, but I did take them with me. Poured the half bottle of nutrition into the run bottle to start and filled the rest up with water going out of transition.

Cover everything in transition.

Worst run course ever. While I realize you can't control the weather, several times I ran through standing water that was at least 6-8 inches deep. The problem was I never knew what was under it. It really felt like an Xterra event, which I said I'd never do. I didn't have it on this run, usually my strong suit. I started out building up to my planned race pace, but I never could get there. It wasn't unusually warm, but it was very humid. I kept pouring water on my coolers at every aid station. I couldn't believe it was only mile 4. I felt like I had been running for 90 minutes. I believe the weather really took a mental toll on me, and I paid for it on the run. I lost track of my nutrition on the run, and started eating off the course, 1/2 banana, a cookie. Just not a good run for me at all.

Try to maintain my mental faculties, no matter what. Pay more attention to nutrition on the run. Run more.

Walked around in the rain. Drank Ultragen recovery drink.


Not sure, other than mental.


I would not recommend this race. I think it is overpriced compared to other options. Although the swag is very nice, there doesn't need to be so much of it and the price should be reduced. Aside from the weather, which could happen anywhere, I would not advertise one of the race highlights as "running through the zoo with the animals". I think that is totally misrepresenting the run course. Mile signs on both the bike and run course were totally inaccurate and I would rather they not even be put up if they are wrong. And, they were out of chicken when I went to get something to eat! Everyone doesn't finish in 5 hours, so save some food for the rest of us. On the other hand, the volunteers were very dedicated and very nice to have them cheering. Hector rode by me and told me to be safe. The police were mostly helpful with the traffic, although there were a few places they were confusing. The teddy bears for awards were a cute idea.