Felt VERY good with the swim. Started in basically the second row. First 300 yards were very congested but not too much banging around. Rather than push hard to break free I allowed myself a little more time to bring up my pace. I would guess by half way to the first rounding I was in clean water. Someone drafted off my for most of the first leg as I constantly felt him tapping my toes, didn't bother me. Second leg I was mostly blind as it was dead into the sunrise. I mostly gauged by people around me and headed toward the splashing in front of me. I seemed to come up pretty close to the guide buoy each time. Rounded toward home and started to push harder, felt very in control. Last 200 yards again got very congested with random people from previous waves floundering all around. I did push around a sloppy group rather than go through them. Coming out of the water watch had my pace at 1:29 (good news) bad news it had me swimming 1.29 miles.... but all in all came out of the water top 30% (AG) top 25% (OA)

Not to much, could push harder earlier. And not hesitate to hold a straight line through people. Also tinted goggles, but not sure how much that would've helped.

Ok tranistion, this is a hard ass half, so I wasn't trying to kill it through T1. It was still chilly out, I went with putting some smart wool socks on. Heavier than socks it might normally wear (if any) and took some time to get them on.

Not much, go with lighter socks?

(rank was at end of bike / not solely bike ranking)
Loving the new ride, and enjoying my time on it. It wants to go. Felt very strong all the way to the base of the big climb (mile 22). Crushed all the descents. No way the 8 mile climb is anything but torture, but got through it. Miles 30 - 35 were ok. M35 is the start of the out and back decent / climb. The climb out of the out and back I think started to do me in?? As around M45 I got cramps in lower left abductor and upper right quad. For the last 10+ miles I was fidgeting in the saddle a lot and unfocused. Went through 4 waves of cramps and happy to get off the bike. Also my mood went south for the last 45 minutes, which never happens.

um, listen to my coach who suggested maybe one week on the new bike was not enough time, or at least swap out for my old saddle? need more time on the new ride?

Nutrition??
In retrospect I was much less focused on keeping to consuming nutrition on schedule. I downed 2 bottles of Gatorade, almost 2 bottles of water, 3 gu's, one mini cliff bar, and took salt 4 times.

given my mental state my transition was fine. thought I might encounter more cramping getting my running shoes on, but no issues. I stopped to pee right out of transition.

What can be said?? They changed the run course to START with a climb for the first 1.25 miles. So I NEVER found my legs. In my previous halfs I've frankly gone a little to hard for the first mile or two and need to control that. Certainly wasn't an issue this day. My fastest mile was mile 4, all downhill, 9:50. Most miles were slower than I am able to do recovery runs when I am trying to run slow.... very frustrating.

not sure, avoid races with hills?

got in the ice bath for as long a I can stand and that felt great. Despite my disappointment in my performance I actually felt better immediately afterwards than in other half's. Usually I am totally spent, need to lay down, ab cramps, etc. Nothing other than drained mentally and physically.


unsure