After getting to the race ahead of schedule and being all prepared I was talk to other swimmers still on the boat ramp and in a panic realized that everyone there was in the next wave and my wave was just about to take off. Rushed got in the water (no more then belly button deep- for the start) 30 seconds later the gun went off.

The 1st 200meters or so out to the 1st buoy was rough to say the least. I couldn't catch my breath. I had to switch to the breaststroke 100 meters into the race. I knew the elevation was going to affect my breathing but come on this was too much. For the 1st time in a long time doubt hit my thought process and right then I didn't think I was finishing this swim, let alone the race. After what seemed like forever I finally reached the 1st buoy (200meters). I made the turn looked up and saw the next red buoy on the horizon and mumbled something to my self about just relax and swim by the number to the next buoy that all. I did that then repeated 5 more times. By the end I was relaxed breathing right and my swim speed was finally picking up back to normal.

So I had a slower than normal swim but the end result was I felt good coming out of the water and I was ready for the next leg

The 1st 200meters or so out to the 1st bouy was rough to say the least. I couldn't catch my breath. I had to switch to the breast stroke 100 meters into the race. I knew the elevation was going to effect my breathing but come on this was too much. For the 1st time in a long time doubt hit my thought process and right then I didn't think I was finishing this swim, let alone the race.

Alittle warm-up in the wter would have benifited me greatly today.

uneventfully T1, walked to my bike and double check I didn't forget anything, which I did even after double checking. My sunglasses would have been nice to have on the bike.

Got on the bike without any problems and managed a good pace until about mile 8 where the course turned UP. Now the elevation is about 6,000ft higher than where I'm use to riding so it's taking a bit of wind out of my sails but at the hill at mile 8 I felt like I dropped an anchor. I couldn't climb to save my life, I got thru it though. Athe turn around I saw Mike C.(training buddy from AzTriClub- who I reguallyride with so I know his pace) and thought dang I having a bad bike ride he's actually only 1 min. behind me. It took him the next 12 miles to make up that minute but he did catch me. I was that carrot he needed to push harder.

My bike ride overall was a good pace for me and as it turns out a PR for Mike.

Maybe push a bit harder on the hills.

nothing really interesting to mention about my transition but Mike's(mentioned above) was pretty funny as he got in a bike mishap on the beginning of the bike leg and riped his shorts so he was trying hard not to expose himself to the world as he ran to the port-a potty to change into his running shorts.

All I can saw about my run is one day, maybe, I'll be able to actually run a whole race. I could never get my engine moving today. My legs felt tired, I couldn't catch my breath and my HR monitor was screaming at me (so I turned it off) I much earlier than normal switch to a run/ walk thing but when it came to the steep hill I pretty much just walked up it.

I actually got a lot of advise on how to run better (so I'll have see how that advise plays out next race.

One other point of interest. another training buddy Commodore ahd some serious pain going on with a hurt leg and still managed to beat me on the run. This clysdale just isn't built for running.

just keep working on my running.

Hung out and shot the breeze with other racers.


running again.


I'd rate this course hard due to it's 7,000ft elevation and hills on the bike and the one steep dang hill on the run. Overall a good race to do. I'd recommend it to do at least once. Of course I'm going to have to do it next year to see how I improved.