Patriot's Triathlon (Dualthlon due to weather) - Duathlon

took it fairly easy. figured everyone would go out too fast given that they were all amped up with no swim. was weird running first.

very wet and muddy so just took my time. not having to get out of a wetsuit made for an easy t1

good ride. wet roads the whole time so had to be a little more careful than normal, but i don't think it affected speed too much. skies opened up on the last lap. getting out of transition and the first mile were crowded due to the du, but after that it was wide open. took 3 gels and 2 bottles of light Gu. Could have used some glasses with clear lenses as it was hard to see on the descents when the rain picked up.

everything was soaked. even though i put my running shoes back in a trash bag before the bike it didn't matter.

best run yet in a tri. went out slower than normal and that seemed to help. still did the first mile in 7:30 but it was all down hill (i think last year i went out under 7). settled in to a nice groove. took Gatorade at the first couple aid stations which i never do, but i usually run out of gas at the end and i wanted to try something different. I will do this again in the future as i think it really helped.
Got passed at mile 5 by the female winner which was cool. I gave her some encouragement and then tried to hang on for a ride. I was happy to see i had some kick and hung on for almost a mile till she chewed me up and spit me out. Last mile was all uphill and i eased up as i was feeling the hurt. Although, my new mantra going up hills seemed to work "I*EAT*HILLS, I*EAT*HILLS, I*EAT*HILLS"...

kind of expensive. only 4 or 5 port-a-potties. food at end was weak. they just threw a tarp over it and you had to step in a puddle to get to it. great volunteers though...have to give them lots of credit for standing out in that weather.