Swim
Comments: This was a different start from last year's race. Instead of doing a wading start with waves, they lined us up on shore by race number and started us off a few seconds apart. On the go it was a run over the start mat and down to the water. I've never done a running start before so I just had to wing it. Everyone bunched up right away as folks tried to get to a good depth to start swimming. I was able to find a rhythm early and managed an okay swim. Still have trouble with navigation but I did much better with swimming in a crowd. I didn't let the kicks and bumps bother me too badly. What would you do differently?: It's no secret that I suck at OWS. I also haven't been to the pool in well over a month. I was happy to come out of the water in one piece and with the same time as last year. Obviously, it would be ideal to get to the pool on a regular basis and some OWS practice couldn't hurt. Transition 1
Comments: Longish run from the beach to bike. Then another longish run from rack to mount line. I had a heck of a time getting clipped in. What would you do differently?: Rank 100/555 so it was an above average transition. Bike
Comments: I'm a little bit disappointed with my pace on the bike. I was aiming to break 19 mph. Still - I did a good job of pushing myself and staying focused. Had a few scary moments speeding downhill in aero on the curvy roads. Need to work on those handling skills a bit! Transition 2
Comments: I had a long clomping run in my bike shoes from the dismount to my rack. Then I fumbled getting out of bike shoes and into run shoes. And then I had to make a quick turn back to get my race belt. Not one of my better transitions. What would you do differently?: Bring my brain into transition with me. Run
Comments: It seemed to take me forever to find my legs. It was a rough uphill at the start of the run. I tried to push but just couldn't get moving. By the time I hit the mile marker I was starting to get into a better groove but by then it was already too late. All I could do was push thru to the finish and try to look good for the cameras. :P Post race
Event comments: I set myself a goal of beating last year's time and really wanted to come in under 1:10. I managed a 2.5 minute improvement over last year but just didn't have enough to break my time goal. I have plenty of things to improve upon and will keep on working to make next year even faster. Last updated: 2009-07-06 12:00 AM
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United States
65F / 18C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 203/555
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 7/32
Up early for a quick shower and a bite to eat. I loaded all my gear into the Vibe and made the one hour drive to Eagle Creek. Got to the park early, finally found a parking spot and then hiked the mile to transition. I picked up my packet, got marked, and found my way to my rack - racks were assigned by race number - and got setup. I made friends with my rack mates and tried to keep warm in the unseasonably cool weather.
10 minute easy jog to get the blood flowing.