I didn't drown, which is probably the only positive thing I have to say about this swim.

I couldn't find any good feet. I couldn't stay straight. I occasionally lost sight of the buoys, and once I went way off course.

I really neglected swim training in the last few months. I was shocked at how slow my first loop was when I looked at my split, and really disappointed when I got out of the water.

My last two HIM I was out of the water in 34:xx, including my first ever which was only 4 or 5 months after learning to swim more than 50 yards at a stretch.

Go out faster, push myself to get on some good feet. Do more than 2x swim workouts per week (5000 yd total)/wk)

Lost some time with my wetsuit, usually I strip to the waist running into T1. The wetsuit also got stuck on my watch, and did not come off the ankles smooth. There was no timing in T1, so I am guessing 4 to 5 min range.

Remember to start stripping on the run to T1. I usually bodyglide my lower legs/ankles to help the suit come off, but since I couldn't find it, that didn't happen. And just learn to shake off those post swim cobwebs and get focused!

I've dubbed this year for me as "The Year of the Bike," as my goal was to become a better cyclist. I bought a power meter. I was also lucky enough to be part of the Power mentor group, which taught me how to use it, and gave me some tough workouts to get me in shape.

I forgot to turn my bike computer on before the swim, and lost a few miles as it found satellites, but I had 54 miles of data showing an average of 259 watts. I was happy with that as it put me at about 86% of my estimated FTP.

Last year I was about 20 minutes slower on the same course, and I remember thinking that I lose too much time to the field on the bike. For this years race, I was only about 6 minutes slower than the fastest bike split of the day, so I've cut that down quite a bit.

I also had zero people pass me on the bike, which I guess isn't surprising considering how terrible I swam.

Nothing really. I left just enough to get me through the run with no disasters. If I pushed it more, I probably would have had some serious issues.

Quad started cramping on the way into T2, so I pretty much was on autopilot, mentally I was already trying to figure out how I would make it through the run. I am glad that I remembered to do everything.

Focus on the task at hand, worry about the run when I start the run.

I had to be a bit conservative. During the first mile, my quad was cramping. I tried to stretch it out a bit by bringing my heels up as I ran, but then my hamstring started protesting. I was pretty worried. I had planned to do a steady 7:00 min/mile pace based on my VDOT which is in the 52-53 range, and shoot 1:32-1:33, but I had to slow that down a bit.

The aid stations were pretty much self serve, and I managed about 2 half Dixie cups of water, and no nutrition. I didn't want to slow down or stop. I was worried about bonking late in the run, but managed to hold on, and even speed up the last few miles once I felt I was out of the danger zone. Luckily it was relatively cool and shaded or I would have been in trouble with hydration.

Bring at least a gel or something with me in case the aid stations don't work out as was the case today.

Walked.


The swim!!!!!!!! If I can convince myself to get up early and to the pool 4x or so per week and get up to about 15k/week, I really could start getting competitive overall. Maybe I will dub next season as "The Year of the Swim." For the bike I need to get a professional fit, and just keep up the willingness to suffer during my workouts.


I like this venue and I hope it stays popular enough to keep the race going. It is the only local early season HIM and a great tuning race. And despite it being early May, somehow the water temperature stays above 60 degrees. There were a few issues. Bike security, lack of volunteers overall (especially at the run aid stations), and some timing issues. Obviously bike security is huge, and I am sure that will be addressed (well I hope I am sure). They also could be more strategic with the placement of the aid stations, and probably be able to put more manpower there.