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 Swim
Comments: I was treading on the start just behind the front lines. horn went off and it was instant chaos! Arms, legs, splashing, pushing, shoving, pulling...it was brawlish. I lost my cool and began to hyperventilate. I freaked out and had an awful 400yrds. I looked back and there was still a good number behind me, so I didn't give up. I slowed my strokes down in an effort to grab my breathing back. then it clicked in...I began my 2-stroke breathing technique and was off. My sighting was amazing! I began creeping on people- passed some orange caps (my wave) and then I started seeing blue caps (wave ahead of me) and that boosted my spirits on back stretch. I boxed out and defended my area...swimmers would invade but i would stroke or kick hard and swat them off and I maintained course. Call it being an ass if you want, I call it swimming. At the last turn buoy I was in full steam and b-lined to the ramp and crawled out. I began my trot which felt like an eternity! What would you do differently?: Warm up some- due to the rain I was cold, shivering and just plain miserable.  Transition 1
Comments: The run from the swim exit to the rack spot was long. The grass was wet. There were ankle deep muddy holes impeding the path and my chip got caught in my ankle of my suit and I struggled. What would you do differently?: Not much. The wetness made things difficult.  Bike
Comments: The rain freaked me out. I saw people cleaning up after wrecks and WAY too many flatted racers which scared the piss outta me. I did not want to flat on a wet course at 25mph... There was some standing water in the road and some deep puddles. I wore my sunglasses halfway down my nose and used the lens to accumulate the rooster tails of riders as I approached and peered over the top of them to actually see as wiping the lens clear was not an option in this monsoon. My rear skidded out on me on one turn but it recovered immediately but was enough to freak me out as in at any time I could go down. I rode at about 70-80% depending on turn degree and paint marks in the road. The crowding was there but not too bad and was able to move around (sometimes illegally as i had to cross the center line a couple times to avoid zig zaggers). I came back in to dismount and didn't know until the last minute that the mount line was there. I got both shoes opened and only one out in time as I hopped off... What would you do differently?: Not sure- I've never raced in rain and don't know the threshold of my bike traction. Transition 2
Comments: Once again wet ground and mud was present. There were many riders oncoming as I came in and had to wait to dodge one rider to cross over to my side of T. My running shoes were drenched and literally had water pooled inside them from the rain. I was pseudo smart and kept rolled Wright socks in my bag to grab and put on prior to shoes...I should have stuck my shoes in my bag too! SLOSH...SQUISH they both went on..I had untied the laces too as I knew I wouldn't be able to slip them on in the rain. What would you do differently?: Keep my gear DRY!  Run
Comments: I had a slow start...getting used to the squish and friction took a mile or so...and I had an odd stride going on in mile 2 that made me gut cramp some. I got my rhythm and began my nose breathing to push my heart rate down. Then I got in my zone. I think I may have relaxed a little too much as I got passed a lot. Many of whom I remember seeing on the bike. At mile 4-5 I strengthened my trot and with about a 3/4s of a lime left, I was in full sprint trying to separate from my little pack. They saw me break and gave chase. This made for an interesting chute finish- as you could see in the photos the whole chase going on! What would you do differently?: Not sit back so much and suck it up and run! Post race
Warm down: As soon as I crossed I grabbed a bottle water and my medal. I exited the chute and got my pic taken. I found J and we began to check out the finish area festivities. I got cold quick, as it was still drizzling. I scored a plastic heat blanket from athlete services and wrapped up...ahhhh...it was over. Event comments: This was a great race and I wish I could have competed in the dry. It was expertly run and the prep and post activity really show that this is a solid race company and a well supported event. The course was fun and challenging. The mass of participants and weather really pulled in some negatives but I like the racebut was just disappointed overall with my performance. Profile Album Last updated: 2009-12-13 12:00 AM
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United States
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 1382/2852
Age Group = M30-34
Age Group Rank = 236/482
I arrived in DC on Friday and checked into the Embassy Suites. I took care of all the logistics that afternoon and walked to the host hotel with J to peep the expo and get my race packet. The process was clockwork! and I was amazed how quickly I went through. We walked through the expo and riffled through things but left with nothing. We then walked from the host hotel to the Transition Area to see how far away it was from the hotel (it took 25 mins). Later that day, I discovered I had received the wrong shirt size and figured I'd take care of it the next day. We hit up hotel happy hour in the lounge (free drinks!) with J's parents (they had a condo some blocks away). Hit up dinner at a pub and topped the night off with carbombs!
The next day I partook in hotel free breakfast (which I ate raisin bran)and then set off on with my bike back up to the host hotel,checked my bike in at the valet, swapped shirts and was back in my abode in record time (Dodging traffic was fun and I only almost died once)! We then again walked down near transition and and did the memorial tours and spent the rest of the day at the Smithsonian. Lots of walking...so much that my legs hurt and my calves were uber sore! I began my hydration process and drank water and G2 to assist. Left the museum and walked back to the hotel and rode my bike down to transition to check it in- and yes, walked back up to the hotel. Had a meal with J's 'rents at the condo and then hit the sack.
Woke up at 4:30 and as expected I was stiff as hell from all that walking prior. I stretched for about 30 mins, packed the Rocket Science bag, mixed my Accelerade and made a bottle of Muscle Milk banana creme for breakfast with a coffee on my walk down to transition. The morning was DARK and drizzly. I was wet by the time i got to transition. I scored a visit to the porto and grabbed my chip. By this time the sky began to open up.
I got to my bike and began to set up my stuff but delayed a bit as the sky was wide open. I was drenched in my long sleeve tee and shorts. I decided to put on my wet suit to try to keep warm (there was ZERO shelter out there)! I said fuck it and finished my set up and put my transition bag on my stuff to try and keep it dry. I walked out of T and found J drenched in a anorak...