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 Swim
Comments: Started out in the front line, a bit towards the outside. My plan was to sprint out and get in front, then see if I could find a swimmer that passes me to draft off. I like this race in that I'm in the first swim wave, so if I get towards the front, there is no traffic to swim through. Initially, this worked out great and I found some feet to catch onto. I just didn't stay on them long. Just about every time I've attempted to draft, I decide we're going to slow and I pull off. This was no different. So, I decided to just swim my race. What this really means is to veer left and then pull myself back in. It wasn't as bad as last year, but I still need some improvement. Coming down the home stretch, I found myself in the familiar position quite far behind the really fast guys, but still in good position overall. 7" faster than last year. What would you do differently?: Not much. I had really hoped for a sub 14' swim, but I'll take it. I really need to get some OWS practice. I feel I'm capable of a 1:30/100 yds swim if I can regualarily train in OW.  Transition 1
Comments: Happy with this transition. Nearly 20" faster than last year. Out of transition, I noticed the race clock at 15:00 and knew I might be in trouble. What would you do differently?: Nothing, very happy with it. I could probably shave a few seconds by leaving my shoes on the pedals, but I wonder if I'd be strapped down by the climb to the dam road.  Bike
Comments: Got on my bike and right away felt good. Up on the dam road, I passed one and had my eye on a couple of others, but held back a bit to settle in. Made the turn after being passed and then headed for the hills. There was nothing really too bad, but I definitely could have been better trainied for them. I played leap-frog with a few. I'm feeling great and am holding a good pace. I see the leaders coming the other way and give a few motivational yells. I hit the turnaround and look down to see about a 21mph average. Awesome! Coming back, a few more caught up and we caught a few others. Came back to the dam road and descended down to the service road. I remembered this to be a short stint and I just hung behind some guys starting to get ready for the run. It turned out to be alot longer than I thought and I'm sure I lost some time here by letting up prematurely. Finally, we made the steep but short climb up and over the dam. 15" faster than last year What would you do differently?: Keep going and not let up a bit which turned out to be a couple of miles. Transition 2
Comments: Had a little problems getting my running shoes on. They don't have much support in the upper and the heel counter is very collapsable and the sides folded in on my feet, so I had to give some extra care there. What would you do differently?: Not much. Decent transition.  Run
Comments: Left the transition and noticed the race clock at 1:02:00. This was it. I need a 23' 5k (which is about my PR) to break 1:25. I've still got a chance. I figured I'd start a 7:40 pace for the first mile, then 7:30 for second and hang on to whatever I had left for the rest and hope it would be 7:30ish. So, off I went and I found a good pacer right at 7:40 and just hung on. Hit the 1'st mile right on time, althought I wasn't feeling too good about my chances to even hold that pace for the entire run. Enering the second mile, I pick up the pace a bit and pass my pacer. I make it another half mile and realize I don't have it today. I hit a water station and walk as I pour down some water. I try to give myself a motivational speech and get going again. From this point on, the run is a struggle and I just try to hold on as best I could and have a strong finish. I did have one other walk at anid station on the way back. Post race
Event comments: I love this race and will come as long as I can. Last updated: 2009-05-04 12:00 AM
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United States
Overall Rank = 30/172
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 4/24
Annual camping trip with my parents & kids at Lake 'O the Pines. Pulled in Friday evening to Brushy Creek campground and were informed they were hit by lightening and had no electricity. We bailed down the street to another campground with elect.
On Sat, while swimming in the lake, goofing off with the kids, I badly sprained my middle finger (middle knuckle). As of 12/09, it's still not normal, so I'm sure I broke it then.
Woke up early and my dad drove down and dropped me off at the race site.
Ate a Cliff bar and went through the normal race setup. Instead of finding a nice easy-to-find rack position, I went with the "fastest" location left which put me right in the middle of the rack. I figred if I was going after that 3'rd place spot, I'd need all I can get.
Race goals were:
1) beat last years times in each of the three sports
2) < 1:25 (13:45/46:00/23:30, 1:45 T1&2) - 2' faster than last year
3) < 1:23 (13:15/45:00/23:00, 1:30 T1&2) - possible hardware
Got in the lake and swam to the first big buoy and back. Nice, easy, long strokes.