Right on par with my average for swimming. I did good sighting the buoys only once did I really drift of course. The buoys were fairly close together at the start and then spaced out further on as you went. It was raining and dark and even thought the buoys are bright orange it was hard to see them as they got further apart.

If I can do it this winter swim lessons would take my swimming up a level.

Pretty good transition even tough it seems slow. When you exit the water it's a long way to the bike racks and then I took a little extra time putting on my arm warmers. They felt so good until the rain starting pouring down on me.

It was raining and raining hard at times. I never felt out of control but I would have hit the downhill’s harder. Last year at the oly I averaged 19.5 on this course.

I ended up w/ 3 flat tires in the end. The first 2 I managed to change on my own but the 3rd just totally killed me. I was sitting by the side of the road waiting for help. They had 2 support vehicles out and those guys were busy!

It was a full 1/2 hour before I had help and I was cold - very cold. Soaked from the rain and not doing a thing but standing there I was starting to shake. I could have quite then.

The bike tech told me as got back on my bike that I get 5 minutes back for every rider I passed and then he smiled.

I believe I was DEAD FLAT LAST at this point. It was just about the shear will to go on at this point. Frozen, wet from head to toe (tri-shoes are great for letting water out and also letting water in)and all alone in the middle of the pouring rain.

So I did what I didn't want to do and I hammered the bike as hard as I could. I kept telling myself I wasn't out and "IT WILL NOT BEAT ME". Whatever "IT" was - I'm still not sure today what "IT" was. I set a goal of passing 3 riders. After about 8 miles I saw one guy in a red shirt. I passed him then another came into view and I passed him. I stopped counting after 12 riders.

Also with all the off's and on's of the wheel it wasn't adjusted correctly and I could hear the tire rubbing at low speeds. My front derailer (which was just adjusted) refused to shift into the lowest ring. This was quite frustrating but was only a factor once or twice.

At this point I just peddled.


I think statistically that 3 flat tires is fairly rare to say the least however I spoke to several people and 2 seemed to be very commonplace during the race. I just bought a few new pieces of gear to help out in the tire changing department.

Overall considering the conditions and then if you ignore the mechanical problems and wasted time associated with the problems I hit my goal right on the money.

I'm happy about that.

It went pretty well. The rain just started to stop as I hit transition. Before the race started I flipped my shoes over and covered them with my towel. They were pretty much dry when I put them on.

Yes I was ready to run. I had the biggest smile leaving T2.

I clawed my way back into it somewhat. I should be finishing the first lap of the run at this point but I wasn't. At least I had company for the first lap.

I went pretty hard on the bike and thought there was a possibility that I could struggle on the run. I told myself to walk the aid stations. A lesson learned from my marathon at the beginning of the year I should have walked them earlier then I did that day.

This was the first time I saw my family since the race had started. I was hoping to see them at the u-turn on the bike course but they weren't there. I later found out it was because of a potty break - hey when you gotta go you gotta go especially if you are 4. I told my wife about the flats and being stuck there and she later commented on how "happy" I seemed and how well I was taking it all.

My back was starting to hurt a little - I think from being in aero so long w/ the cold rain pelting down on my back it was just achy and cold. My legs seemed to be holding out so I kept up the pace.

Lap 2 started and I was alone again. Not one single person was near me for a couple miles. That does wear on me. I finally made it to were the course joins together and is one route out and back. At least I had company again.

Murder hill was coming up again and I knew the end was near. I just made mini goals at this point, this was indeed the toughest section of the course all uphill and steep.

Once I rounded the turn around it was mostly downhill. I passed the last person at the bottom of murder hill. We talked for a while and then I turned it on for the last push and went for it.

I felt great and was planning my victory dance, which ended up being quite animated for me. I think I was swinging my visor in one hand and pumping my fist on my other arm and just yelling as loud as I could. My family was on the other side waiting for me.


Run was awesome given the course and the rain on the bike I really couldn't have done much better. I also followed my nutrition plan which worked out perfectly.

I need to assess my bike and look into upgrading some of the components. I've always had trouble with the front derailer and this time I think it cost me time. Also as I noted I upgraded a few pieces of gear that I think will help me when doing tire changes in the future.


I loved this race! I love this distance! I will do it again!