The swim is weedy. As you swim along the weeds grab your feet. There were many weeds floating in the water, churned up from the boats. How you can put your face in that water is beyond me. The race organizers had a hose set up to wash off your feet. That was the best part of the swim. I could not get a rythm, just suffered for 440 yards.

I could not get my cycling shoes on my feet. Other than that it was onto the bike pretty quick. I did not think that I took a nap. I finally felt like I got into and out of T1. May not have been fast, but I did not feel like I took a nap.

The out was not easy. I felt my legs get a rythm on the bike. Really, before I knew it I was in Pierecton and was turning around to go back to Winona Lake. I developed a cramp on the way to Pierceton. That was rough, I have never ridden with a cramp. I blame the speed session on Tuesday.

Time is what I need. A few more weeks of speed work and my legs will not be shot, but stronger.

T2 went off as planned. Today is the first day I do not feel like I took a nap in transition.

I forgot about the horrible Warsaw water. Took a drink of water right out of transition and wanted to puke. Warsaw water always tastes like chlorine. It is straight up nasty. I cramped about 1 mile into the run. I could never get my legs comfortable. Speed work is to blame. It is the necessary soreness to faster running. I have run this course before. The last time I was stronger, but I had not swam and biked. Overall, I am not upset with my run. With the speed session, I was not going to have the stongest run. I can feel it, speed work will pay off.

I need a few more speed sessions to see any benefit. Until then my running times will suffer as my legs are shredded.

Talked to my 92 year old grandmother. It was cool to have family watch you race. It was nice for them to see what my passion is all about. They also got to see that I am not the only crazy person on this planet.


The weeds really detract. If you can get past them, this is a great race. It is run as well as Chicago. Volunteers and police, the course was not closed, but it really felt like the athletes were the priority. I ran this race in Phil's memory and I will run it next year as it really is a great event.