Not sure why but I felt really strong on the swim. While I started out to fast (Heidi was taking pics on the dock, I was able to settle into a rhythm. I was able to sight off the shore and the sun and that helped me to keep going straight. I popped by head up ever 25 strokes just to make sure and 9 times out of 10 I was going in the right direction. I continued to feel good, and I pushed the pace. Perhaps my only mistake was standing up too soon. I ended up having to dive back in and swimming a 100 yards more. But I was happy when I got out of the water knowing I had swam well!. Earlier in the week, it took my 59:30 to complete it so I know I gave it my all.

Keep swimming

Considering my transition was the back of our Odyssey minivan - it turned into kind of a free for all. I ran from the shore to the car, dried off, and threw on my BDAS shirt, shoes, and packed my pockets. It was great being able to kiss HQ and the kids before heading out.

Practice a bit.

I was hoping to average 16 mph but I got off to a slow start out of the swim... Part of the issue was that I was so tired - but the other part was that it took me a while to get set up and get into a rhythm. I was averaging 15.5 and needing to push hard to get my speed up and then I hit the hills. Despite my efforts, it was slow going and I average 7-9 mph up Mike my pulse it 160! However, I was able to push the pace on the downhills but I was still averaging 15 mph by the time I hit Old Alba. I really focused on keeping up my cadence and I averaged around 88-92 most of the way. Luckily - I was really able to make good time and brought my average up to 16.2 by the time I reach T2 (the mini van).



Lose some weigh... the hills killed me. If I can average 16 miles per hour even with going so slow on the hills, I should be able to crush the bike if I dropped the weight.

Again - with this being the anti-tri, pulling up to the mini van and not into T2 was a little different. JQ really wanted to help - but I tried to get my jersey off and my Team Christian shirt on... I forgot to fill up my water bottle and had to run back to the car.

The run got off to a funny start. I had brought too many power bars so I wanted to throw the extra bar into the car. When the car pulled up, I thought I heard JQ say throw it here, so I did. And it hit him right in the eye. Not good. Once I had blinded my son, the run got off to a fast start. I was averaging 11 minute miles by running for 4 minutes and walking for 1. With 3 miles to go, I downed half a warm coke because I was getting pretty tired. It was so hot and I had been really pushing the pace. Luckily we got some rain that felt great. The rain felt great but my pace dropped to 13 minutes per mile as I headed up the mile long hill. But I'd exceeded my goal on the swim and bike and I was determined to make it happen on the run. So, I took mini walks instead of walking for the entire minute. It helped that all the kids were waiting for me at the mail box. JQ ran with me down the path and I was able to push the pace the last 1/ 2 mile to 10 minutes .

Again - lose the weight.

Icy Cold Beer


Being fat - But I was stoked because I went faster in this race than I had all summer.