Started near the front to draft, hehe. Worked nicely and got to buoys and cut a few swimmers off by swimming aggressively in between. Did more drafting but the buoys were a bit too far apart after the 2nd left which caused me to veer right a bit despite sighting other swimmers. The swells were kinda big so I had to time it on top of a swell to sight the next buoy.

There was minimal contact and most of the contact was made by me on draft victims' feet, hehehe. Used 2 palm trees to sight the swim finish flags.

Still had some breathing problems as I amped up my effort but not so much this time because I was drafting really well.

2013 time: 35:04
2014 time: 31:44
2015 time: 31:59

Time the swells more often to sight on a straighter line. My sighting was still better this year than last though which might be due to it being clear vs foggy.

Pulled down wetsuit to waist and ran up the sand and across the grass to the swim in but I had to slow down and walk because my feet was hurting on the the rough pavement. My transition spot this year was on other side of swim in. Lotsa owies for my feet! >.<

Put watch on bike, took off wetsuit, put on helmet, put on race belt, rinsed sandy feet, wiped hair and feet, put socks and shoes on.

Nothing. Deal with the rough pavement???

I think Garmin 910xt incorrectly reported elevation gains last year because it seems more accurate this year. Firmware update must have fixed that? Plan was to pace myself harder this year based on RPE, average HR, and power data. Executed well.

Aimed to negative split the 2nd half and I succeeded! My favorite part of the bike segment was the 2nd climb during the 2nd lap. I was slowly reeling in another competitor (unknown AG) who looked back at me during the climb and started spinning like crazy out of the saddle. He pulled away for a bit but I smiled because for someone to do that (with his size) during the 2nd lap might burn that match and pay for it later. And he did because I closed the gap on the downhill and passed him shortly after we returned to the bike path. He never caught me and at that point, I was passing people and no one passed me. :)

I ate half a Clif Bar at 45:00 into the bike just before the 2nd Puente climb.

Training with power really helped my bike splits this year. That and better quality training as well.

2013 time: 1:14:12
2014 time: 1:12:04
2015 time: 1:07:40

I'd say my bike split this year is what gave me a new personal record for this bike course segment and race overall! :)

Consider putting 10psi less on each tire due to bumps nearing the Puente climb.

Jogged briskly and carefully to my T2 spot. Racked bike and took off helmet, put hydration belt on, visor on, removed bike shoes, socks, sprayed Trislide on both feet, put socks on, put shoes on, moved watch from bike to left wrist, lapped T2 exiting.

Run out was pretty close, about 5 racks away from my T2 spot. :)

Nothing.

Decided to keep my effort hard the first few miles and increase RPE at mile 4 and 5 each incrementally harder. AccelGel'd at 1.30miles chased with water and took in a Salt Stick tab to prevent cramps since it was warm.

I didn't apply sunscreen because it didn't feel too hot but in retrospect, I should have put a bit on my nose and face and back of neck. Felt a bit sunburned there but not too bad, only felt itchy nose day after.

I aimed to match my time from last year and succeeded with a slightly better split. My run training focus has been more durability so far this vs speed development and it shows, hehe.

2013 time: 54:06
2014 time: 44:36
2015 time: 43:50

Apply sunscreen if the sun's out asap while running out of T2.

Walked around and stretched. Drank Endurox, ate veggie burger, water, oranges, banana. Returned for chips and a hotdog, hehe. I love this race's post race food!!!


Wetsuit and soft feet for T1. Maybe my focus on run durability vs speed.


2013 time: 2:53:50
2014 time: 2:35:00
2015 time: 2:30:14

Signing up again next year!