OK, can I say that I HATE seeing the time per 100 here.... in my defense, it includes a BEAST of a run to T1. That's off my chest.....

We had to wait a loooong time while they pushed and pulled the buoys around. At one point it was set up so that we would have crossed the Oly swimmers at a 90 degree angle. Not good. So we waited while they changed the buoys.... twice. I was getting cold standing around, couldn't imagine how the guys in speedos felt. Terrific lifeguard support though.

Nice swim. Water was cold, but had gotten in before and gotten used to it. Good training for Alcatraz. At the gun, ran in, negotiated the smallish waves. There were a lot more poeple in this wave than in my last tri. My wave was Males - 0-39!!! But those 0 year olds... man.... There wasn';t a whole lot of jostling, but some. I have to say I really enjoy that part of the race. Much more physical and one on one, the importance of picking a line, etc.

Thought I would be MOP, but found myself 3d or 4th at the first buoy. As in the last race,found a rabbit, and even drafted off of him for a while. Sighting back to shore was hard, but I followed the 2-3 swimmers ahead of me, and sighted off my rabbit :) At the end we were neck and neck, and I caugt a little wave to come out ahead. I swam a little further than I did last time, so that when I stood up I was in knee deep or less, last tri I was waist deep. He immediately caught me on the run though

I NEED TO LEARN TO RUN IN THE SAND!!!!!! I was about 4th out of the water, and from the times of the 1 and 2 guys in my AG (11:01 and 11:31), I was at least second actually out of the water in my AG, probably first. In that large of a group, I was surprised to be there. The run to T1, though, was long - about 1/4 mile, most of it in soft sand... uphill. I was passed by abou 6-7 people IN THE TRANSITION RUN. Crap.

Up until the time that I exited the water, I am VERY pleased with this swim.

Practice running from water to land... in sand... uphill. Lots

All right, lesson one. Cannot put bike shoes on while wetsuitis still around the hips... :) I didn't get the shoes on, but started to. Just felt slow and disorganized. And lack of piorities. I even stopped to more securely rack the guy's MTB next to me after I knocked it a little off... Picked up the guy's water bottle next to me that I knocked down ....WTF!?!?!? Gentleman triathlete??

Shoes went on slowly. Hadn't opened them up enough

This time was hard to put jersey on. ALthough I look like a sausage, should think about getting a tri top

Spend more time pre race organizing and prepping shoes

For some reason, the first and last 1/4 mile or so is a NO PASS zone. Is it because it's in a state park?? Wasn't an issue for me though

Out some streets to Harbor, out and back. Felt like I had my legs under me, and kept the pace at 19-21 mph. Butt felt fine until mile 10, then started to be a pain.

Some of the sections were very narrow, making passing hard.

Got passed by a TON of people, going fast. Mostly all aero, which is fine, but one dude... in tennis shoes... THAT pissed me off, but I just couldn't get him. I need stronger legs.

My philosophy though - if you are passing me on the bike, just means I kicked your ass on the swim :)

One note - saw two wrecks, well one aftermath and one wreck out of the corner of my eye - two riders, one experienced one novice. No idea what happened, just heard the sickening screech and then crashing metal and thumping bodies. Going the other way, I was past it. What to do? Someone stopped already, and a lot of riders coming up to it... I don't know EMT stuff, we're on a stretch where there are no volunteers. I figured I could help most by getting to the next volunteer or cop ASAP.... So that's what I did. Right decision?? Who knows... but it gave me motivation to get to the turn around. Two people had passed me, I figured they'd learn that much sooner. But they heard it from me first unfortunately.....

Get aero bars, ride lots more, lose weight

T2 went pretty well. Ran to my rack, sat down, put on the shoes, looked at my watch, 55: and change, I can BEAT my goal time of 1:30 with 11 minute miles! As long as I get my shoes on.

Grabbed visor, glasses and race belt and up and out of T1, race belt on during the run.

Perhaps learn to run without socks. Yankz

TIme includes T2. I felt pretty good on this run, although it always surprises me how long it takes to get to that first mile marker........

Again, got passed by TONS of people. I did pass two people. Really wanted to tell the second guy I passed, "Hey, I know how it feels" What really hurst on an out and back course is seeing someone going the other way and thinking "man, I'm glad I don't look like THAT when I run....", and then they pass you........

My second philosophy - If you pass me on the run, just means I kicked your ass on the swim AND the bike :)

Some of these people were Oly distances, so.... The run felt pretty good, and I got my legs right away. Plenty of water stations, lots of people on the promenade.

Realized about half way through I coul PB the 5K, now THAT would be cool. Decided to pick it up at mile 3. Ouch... no can do. Decided to pick it up at the pier (about 1/2 mile). How to pick it up? Faster cadence? Longer stride? Not sure I picked it up at all. I THINK my time was about 30:30, which is about 40 seconds over my PB,,,, so damn. [edit, was 30:41]

BUT, I FELT like I cold turn it up during the run, so I've gotten over that psychological hump of the first tri, where I just felt like I could not go any faster. I think the longer bike allowed me to catch my breath and get my run legs under me.

I was actually happy with the run time, only my second ever 5K, and less than a minute off my PB, after a swim and run and transitions. That means I have gotten faster. of course, then I saw the results. Only 8 in my AG >30 minutes. for the run......


run more, lose weight

Walk around, drink some water, eat a burger, talk to Dirk :)

There were still some people coming in from the bike and going out on the run as I was cleaning up. I took the time to cheer them on! People talk about it, but it doesn't happen here - people don't root for other people as they pass here. Because it's LA/so cal?? Not sure. It felt good to do it though, and got a thanks from one woman.

GREAT and enthusiastic crowd lining the finish chute.


Weight, run Run RUn RUN!!!!!!!!


Definitely some snafus - no XL shirts, swim course had to be reset, but overall, for the number of racers (900 +) and the number of volunteers - all OVER the place, they were great. Would definitely do it again. It would be a good first Olympic distance.

I also like that parking was right next to the transition area. Made it very convenient in the a.m. getting organized.

Overall, happy with my time, and I know I can improve the run.

Remote key works fine, by the way :)

[EDIT] Been reading over on slowtwitch that many believe the swim and run course were longer than advertised........ the swim I believe. The run, I have no clue. It just means I went faster :)