Started out ok, but before getting the the turn buoy had a lot of trouble breathing. HR was way to high and I was practically hyperventilating and panicing. After turning I grabbed the nearest kayak and took about a two min rest. after than I was able to finish the swim using a combo of freestyle and backstroke as needed to catch my breath.

SWIM TRAINING!!!!!!!

T1 a little slow running to bike. Wetsuit stripper is always nice :) Run was slow due to utter exhaustion from severe lack of swim fitness.

Other than improve fitness, nothing.

Legs were pretty dead after swim so cadence was rather slow. started out fairly fast, though it didn't feel like I was pushing it. Speed stayed high until turnaround when my legs finally said enough is enough after the second steep hill.

Day before did a 20 mile ride through on the local trails, including some small hills. Not sure if that had an effect or not, since I did it at a fairly easy pace. I think my lack of swim fitness translated over to the bike.

Slow just because of being tired.

Run actually went very well, and I had negative splits. Only bad spot was left ham started to cramp at about mile 2.5. Rather than stop and stretch I decided to run through it. That plan worked and cramp relaxed. Looking at my Garmin after mile 2 I could tell I was on pace to beat last year's time so I didn't let myself slow down. At the 3 mi mark, I finished the race with a strong sprint across the line.

Nothing.

Pizza and Gatorade #3. Waited around for results to be posted. When they were - 2nd place!!!!!!!!


Lack of swim fitness. Had no idea it would have been this bad :(