Decided to line up on the left as they widened the course a bit and I knew there was a bunch of grass on the right. I was told that it wasn't that bad today, but I'm happy with my decision. Only hard part was the converging of bodies at the buoy where I was kicked and shoved a bunch. A bit dicey as the rope holding the buoy was right behind me and I almost got caught up in it. A few strong strokes away and I was in relatively open water again.

Nothing. I liked the decision. I may want to start up closer to the front one of these days.

I thought I did well to get under a minute, but in looking at the results it was not a very strong transition. I did have to reset my Garmin but I am just a bit slow right now. I counted 28 people faster than me (30-56 sec)

Move quicker.

I tried to push on the two hills this time and keep my cadence very high. Made a mistake being agressive on the downshifting into my small chain ring on the front and dropped the chain going up the roller hill. Had to pull off and unjam it from the side of the sprocket but the grease was off of me by the end of the run-thanks to the excessive sweat-ha! This mechanical glitch was the only one, but 45 seconds would have moved me up about 6 or 7 places in the standings. I saw the entire group of people in front of me on the run, but didn't have it in me to catch them.

Av HR=150/peak 161

Stay in control a bit more and not be so agressive with the shifting.

Almost got wiped out by a car at the last turn, but he stayed and I went, coming into the last turn, so my HR was up a bit as I ran with my bike. Still thought I was faster than I was. I counted 38 people faster than me in T2 (28-49sec), including several men in their 70's racing. Good for them! (Not so good for me...)

Go faster?

Weather was perfect so I never felt overheated, like I usually do in these races (6pm, midsummer and usually high 80's and hazy/ hot and humid here in NE).
Was able to keep my cadence and effort up. Saw by my HR that my effort was as extrememe as I'd ever been able to muster for a sprint, so I tried to maintain it.
The sprint at the end totally spent all my energy and I left it all out there today. That was truly my max effort at this distance.

Nothing. That was my best.

Waited for my stomach to settle. Got a beer. Talked to Jim and my son, Mike, when he finished. Checked out the results and basked in a terrific summer night.
These races are just fun, but they do hurt a bit...I'm thrilled with a 3+ minute PR from last race and a lifetime PR for the distance.


Only the dropped chain kept me from a perfect race.


Terrific summer series for beginners and veterans. The venue is great, the lake is clear and the course well marked and manned. Everything is always on time and the course has it's challenges with a few hills to keep you honest.