O.K., so they are saying the swim was short.. they also say the swim was shallow - maybe that was why I was able to dig into the bottom of the lake with my hands while swimming (there was one point that I could stand on my knees). Isn't that the way to do it? Dig your hands in and pull? I really didn't get a lot of contact, and was able to swim relatively straight - sighted every 10 strokes, and was pretty much on-line.

absolutely nothing --- I am not a very good swimmer, and this swim was easily the best swim I have ever done - even if it was short, it was still the best swimming that I have done. period.

ahh yes, me and transitions..... actually did relatively well - had to hit the port'o'john... lovely.

not have to use the bathroom

well, I have never averaged 20 on a bike ride, ever. There were some rough roads, really rough roads. At one point, I thought it may have been really beneficial to have my cup protector.

Went back and forth with several of the same people (legally), and it seemed like every time there would be a climb, I would catch them, but then when it got to the downhills, they would pass me again. Oh well, I am still really happy with this bike ride..

wear a cup?

yep, you guessed it - had to use the port-o-john again....

get a catheder? not drink as much on the bike?

this is where things fell apart.... saw the donkey bunch, and had a drink of firstnet911's beer, and started up the first hill, which is really close out of transition. Quads started cramping, thought I could run through them, but then I had the BRILLIANT idea of trying to go to the side and quick stretch them out, so I went to the side of the path, and tried to do a standing quad stretch -- which proceeded to immediately make my hamstrings cramp up.. almost fell over... so I decided that I would try to 'walk them out'. I went up the hill, walking a little funny, but they seemed to be getting better, so I went back to running.

After about 2 miles, my left shin started hurting like crazy! This is an area that doesn't usually hurt for me, so it was concerning. It wasn't anything like a cramp - this was really sharp pain that was on the back edge of my shin bone (of course, in my head, I am thinking stress fx starting). So I try to run through it, but it seems to be getting worse, and I adopted the 'run/walk' program. It was awesome to see all the donkeys out on the course - that many of them really keep you motivated - I had a guy next to me ask 'do you know EVERYBODY doing this race?', because of all the donkey peeps, Tri-Wis, and RACC people out there.

I finally made it back to the half-way point, and started back up that hill, still really hurting a lot in the shin (more than any cramping going on). It then hits me -- my timing chip is digging into my shin bone -- o.k., stupid donkey.. I switched my chip from my left to my right, and while the 'damage' had been done for this run, at least it didn't get any worse. I kept up with the run/walk thing for the rest of the day.

I did, however, have the coolest finishing picture, though, as when I 'ran' by firstnet911 at the end, he handed me a Miller Lite, so I ran through the finish line, arms raised, Miller Lite can in hand... so that should be a good one.

Oh yeah, and, for the record --- I got 'chicked' by Sandi, again... I'm pretty used to it, though, as I have yet to beat her in an official triathlon. (please refer to 'The Distance', as it is forever burned into that movie)

not have timing chip digging into my shin.

drink my beer, get food, hang out with the donkeys for a while... good times, good times...


the run, and the port-o-john


Great to see all the donkeys, Tri-WI and RACC guys. I PR'd this distance by 22 minutes, so I'm really happy with that. I didn't stop to stand during the swim, had my first 20 mph bike average. Funny thing, the run, which I guess would/should usually be, my strongest part was my weakest. Overall, really happy with this race.... but doing this twice in 8 weeks? not so sure, we'll see how it goes...

congrats to all the donkeys, and to AJOTTO for a podium finish! Great to see the Illinois contingency (Schmize and Whizz), and meeting coredump. Have I said that I REALLY like the triathlon sub-culture? Not sure if it's for the racing, the drinking beer, or the good people that are in it..

Thanks for reading..