Thought the swim was going to go better than it did. I guess I really just missed boxing with trimom!! :) They switched the swim course around due to the direction of the chop and current. This made for a sand run down the beach for a bit to the gate but that was okay. I was out of the water at 4:26 but the run ate then minute up.
The swim seemed short but maybe the current was with us. Times seemed fast.

The swim was good at first until the first buoy. I chose to try being in front and take the inside of the marker. Only problem was that this inside corner became congested and I got swam over a few times and all the hands and feet F@&cked me up. The first race is always like this for me. Took a few mouthfulls of water, sea was a bit choppy. LOst all rythm and groove, jsut kinda gutted it out to the end.
Not happy with the swim. Once I got in the tangle I lost all sync.

maybe work the outside instead of inside, especially for the first race of the season. Maybe next year I will have trimom there beside me.

Overall I am happy with t-1, first time for a race with this wetsuit and trying the 'shoes on pedals' move. The run through the racks was from one end to the other so this took some time. I had already stripped the suit to the waist (had worn my BT singlet and tri short underneath. This saved time and frustration) at the beach. The suit came off okay, not big hitches, just need practice.
Helmet on and headed out. Shoes already on the pedals, no socks so just needed to hit the gate. Hopped on and got rolling ok, but slowed after a quarter mile to work the feet in the shoes. This was a bit of a pain in the ass but saved 't' time.
Felt good. about it all.

practice sliding and working feet into shoes. The set up with the rubber bands worked fine. Thanks Bear!!

All the tricks were there, just needed to hone them

after the feet were in the shoes, things went well. Knew the course from last years DNF. Roads were dry so I kicked it hard. stayed aero. changed gears well. kept a good cadence. Pushed the downhills and cornered fast and hard.

close to the end, I slid feet out of shoes and was able to jump off and run with bike. This went well.

nothing

t-2 was good. Minor slowdown putting on short socks but this is better than blisters

nothing, just practice

Legs felt good starting the run. Head was messed up with negative thoughts. Heart rate must have been too high. Worked in some *good thoughts* but still not great. Body hit a good pace on its own, head was not into it, but by the halfway point things got better.
Overall effort was comfortable with just enough for a kick up in the last half mile.
100 yd run thru sand at the end wwas okay, just hate the sand runs.

nothing

walked around, got some liquids.


practice the transitions, take outside on the swim


Time out races are well run events. 766 participants are a lot to keep orgagnized and secure. TOP has good security, well marked courses, and plenty of refreshments and best of all ..A GREAT GOODY BAG!!