I really didn't know what wattage to shoot for as my Quarq was wonky in the rain last year (didn't back pedal prior to the start). I had held 286 for 30 minutes 2 years ago at Mokuleia, so I figured I should be around there. Plan was to start at 280, and build to about 285ish by Makapuu.

So right off the bat I feel comfortable, but I'm going too hard. We start off with a short gentle climb that's just enough to get you over your goal. Sure enough, the first 2 minutes I'm averaging about 320w. In some of my better TTs, I have been able to get my power down from the initial start within 60-90 seconds. 4 minutes in, I'm still averaging 295ish.

The course isn't technical by any means, but there are some patches or holes you have to watch out for, as well as potential cars coming out of side streets since it's not a fully closed course. So I can't really bury my head and stare at my computer. So my wattage was a little spikey, and it didn't help that when I saw a race photographer ahead, I bumped up to 446 watts peak and 381 for 15 seconds. This was on a dead flat...I'm such a donkey.

Sure enough, a few minutes later I was paying the price...trying to get my HR back down from the 187 range...where I should be steady around 182-183. This is kind of where I lost my mojo. The wind was picking up and I was losing visual contact with Mike ahead of me. Every time I tried to reapply power, I'd go slightly too much and have to come back down below goal again. I couldn't find that fine line to ride on, and mentally I wasn't prepared to suffer.

We got to Makapuu, and I saw Mike around 1:00 ahead of me, which put him at least 30 seconds ahead at that point. I put in a good effort on the climb and descended well, until I caught up to a car that had just past me on the climb. For whatever reason, the car decides to slow down. Granted, we're still going almost 40 mph, but I'm forced to go by on the shoulder (it was plenty wide enough...just not as smooth) and spike my power again (665 max, 385 for 33 seconds) in the process. As soon as I pull even with his front bumper, he accelerates off and I need to recover again.

The last climb up to Hanauma I was hurting, but didn't have the desire to throw it all out there. I knew I wasn't going to win, and was going to come in over a minute slower than last year...but mostly due to the wind. Had I put in an honest effort, I would likely beat Ben Williams for the 3rd in the division. No big deal.

Bobby had a great ride and won overall. Jason Smith struggled like I did, but overall I finished right with the big boys, and only 72 seconds off the win.

1. Don't start too hard
2. Don't start too hard
3. Pace it more evenly
4. Lose weight
5. Don't start too hard
6. More fitness
7. More time on the TT bike