Since I haven't done any swimming since NOLA 70.3, I wasn't entirely sure what my swim would look like. However, other work I've been doing seemed to keep me in good shape. Once I got the first 150 under my belt, the swimming was very smooth.

The start was very congested and it took at least 150 meters for me to break away from the pack and find a clear swimming lane.

I really need to find the time to put swimming back into my normal exercise routine!

One of these days, I am going to try and practice putting my shoes on the bike. Until then, I don't think I'll ever get faster in transition

nothing

To make a good sprint course, the bike should have some challenge to it (hills, turns, etc) and this course did not disappoint. Most of the hills were simply rollers, but there were a handful of decent climbs and two of them were made harder because you had to make a tight turn and then climb, forcing you to lose most of your momentum.

I started out at a fairly decent pace, but determined to pick it up as the race went on. Overall, I felt that I struck a good balance of pushing the pace without burning up my legs for the run which I also knew had some good hills in it.

Just continue to put in the work on my bike.

Again, one day I'll learn to undo my shoes while still on the bike. Otherwise, a good transition.

Racked my bike, grabbed my race belt, visor and shades and with a quick chug of some gatorade, I was out the chute!

The run was HOT!! I came out of Transition too fast and had to spend the first 400 meters slowing my pace to handle the big hill and to be able to be consistent through the entire run.

In the first 1/2 mile, I caught up to one of the guys in my AG and passed him. I knew there was maybe one other guy in front of me and I managed to catch him right at the first mile marker. Little did I realize he would use me as his pacer....
I was doing ok, but then I hit the second hill right before the turn and that really hurt my pace. I had to slow down, but got it going again at the turn. Thank God for the water stop! I grabbed a couple of cups just to throw on myself and then got it going.
Heading up the last hill, I again had to slow down pretty badly and at the top I realized that the other AG was right behind me. Heading down the final hill, I began to ratchet up the pace, but he stubbornly held on. In the last 200 meters, I really gave it the gas, but that's when he suddenly sprung out from behind and just left me. I tried to find another level, but simply didn't have anything left in the tank. Well, not a bad day when you "settle" for second place!

My running work just hasn't been the same this year, I really need to spend more time pounding pavement and putting in the speed work.

water, lots and lots of water!




lack of training and I am just not that good in the heat.


The course is great and the volunteers were excellent. For a sprint race, this is really well supported and organized. However, the post race food was extremely limited and there wasn't really much to drink (water and soda). I would have loved to see some chocolate milk or beer! I think if you're going to give out a glass to finishers, there should be something to put in it...