Ok breathing sucked. Started coughing about 10-20 yards into the swim and right away had a hard time breathing. Stayed with it the best I could considering the circumstances. Started to the far right and went for the buoy. Drafted whenenver I could. Goal was 12-13 minutes total. HR was very high when checked on the pier. Sighting was perfect.

Maybe do one of the kids nebulizer treatments!

Slow jogged it up to the T trying to settle down. Heard my kids and saw them and waved as soon as I got off the pier. Amazing how you can pick them out of a crowd like that! Bike rack was crowded. Helmet, glasses, camelback, socks and sneakers. Had an issue putting on a sock and my left thigh started twitching a bit so I took a moment to stretch it before I went out.

Get a better rack spot and learn to do without socks! Get some bike shoes that stay clipped on. Maybe practice some T1's. Ditch camelback when I get a tri-bike and go with an aero-bottle. Missed T1 goal by 30 seconds and was 17/20.

Was passed by a bunch of riders at the start. Didn't freakout and built-up speed. HR was high, bike Z5B but didn't feel like it, stayed with RPE. Air quality improved as the wind direction changed, became a crosswind with more of a tailwind heading out and headwind on the way back. Picked off all but 2 or 3 of the riders that passed me at the beginning. Fluid amount was absolutely perfect, finished all 34 oz with 3 miles to go. Consumed fluid every 5-10 minutes. Caught some other riders at the very end and had to slow going into dismount/T2 entry, used the op to stretch the calfs, thankfully they felt fine.

Not much. More training time needed. Could have used an extra gear (8 speed) on the way back as I was searching for the right gear going into the crosswind. Next year will be on a 10 spd tri-bike.

Heard the kids again heading into the T and waved, Kids ran down the fence with me to the bike rack. Had to fiddle a bit to get my new favorite running hat, left it in the bag. Took a few seconds to dump some water on my head before heading out and told them I'd see them in 25 minutes or so. Lost the rubber nose bridge on my sunglasses. T2 time was 9/20 and 7 sec off of goal.

Other than having a better rack spot and having the hat ready, not much. Wanted to glue the nose bridge onto the sunglasses beforehand but forgot.

Felt really good right off the bike, lungs didn't bother me and and didn't need any water at the first station outside the T1. 1/4 mile ref was marked and had an 8:15 pace, HR was at Z5a. At 1/2 mile mark, became part of a group of runners that were being caught and catching up. Was passed by a women who said "I love passing all these guys", I decided to pace off of her! Caught up to her at 1.5 miles and BS'd a bit, encouraged one another, and ran together until the last turn. Took 2 cups of water at 2nd station one for the head and other to rinse the mouth, didn't need it. I felt good all the way.

Not much other than more training. It was hot but didn't need any fluids. Stayed focused and ran with my "buddy". It definitely helped to run with someone. Was 50 seconds/mile faster than last year, 36sec/mile slower than my best time 2 years ago but that race was held in cool April.

Walked around a bit. Felt great other than a burning sensation in my lungs. Snacked on some oranges & pineapple, had some water and coffee. Ate my other power-bar on the way home.

Met up with BT'ers Steve and Anthony.


Chest cold, Swim suffered the most from it. Transitions were 30 sec slower than planned. Missed top 10 by 40 seconds.


2006 Comparison Race for Swim and Run events, 2004/5 MTB vs 2006 RB.