Wow, I did not see myself getting the 2nd fastest AG swim. My plan was to push it on the swim, since I knew I could do the distance, but I didn't think I'd do as well as I did. I think everyone struggled when they turned at the last buoy: we were all swimming directly into the sun. I know I took the last few hundred meters wide, but I just tried to stay with people who looked like they knew where they were going.

Not a lot. I talked to someone else who had tinted goggles, and he said they didn't make a difference. I can really only be happy with this swim, definitely an improvement!

A good transition, nice and fast. I put my socks on during this to save time in T2. I also lost my goggles, but I knew I did. I'd rather buy a new pair than lose 10 secs going back to get them. I felt good out of the water and just wanted to get on the bike.

Nothing I can think of. I'd rather have my goggles still, I guess.

My goal was to go hard on the bike, and I did. The first lap I made myself push, just wanted to keep the pedal down, so to speak, but not all the way to the floor. I kept leapfrogging this 13-year old kid. He would work to pass me, and then struggle to keep up, and I'd pass back. On the 2nd lap, I got tired of him and pulled away. I ended up riding in a small pack with a few other riders. One of us would pass, and then be overtaken. None of us were drafting, but we were definitely pushing each other. My legs were tired at the end, but I didn't feel like I'd gone too hard.

Of course, looking back, I say I could've gone harder, but it seems like I can always say that. I'm happy with my speed and effort.

In and out of there in no time flat! I was a man on a mission: I changed shoes, put on my race belt, and took off running. I realized I still had my glasses on, which I hate to wear while running, so I just threw them on the ground. Some good person put them in my helmet.

nothing

Ok, the run is short. I ran fast, but not that fast. However, I knew it was short from last year. I set out on the run with one guy in my sights. He was in my AG, and I told myself to stay with him. My goal on this run was to push hard the whole time, and then really hard at the end. On the way out, I felt good, saw Nate and knew I must've been doing ok. I got to the turnaround and said it was time to speed up. I pushed it the next mile, and felt like I was really moving. I think I got about 6:30 that mile. Just before the end, I caught up to the guy I had in my sights, and it turned out he was 41. I saw Nate ahead of me and told myself that I'd gone as hard as I could.

not a lot, that was about all I had

leaned over, breathed, and was tired...It was much warmer than when we started, so I went in the lake, which felt great.


nothing


I love this course, the distance, and the time of year. I'd say that this was my best all-around race, so far. I did well in every discipline, and made some real progress since last year. I even got a blanket for all my hard work!