Swam well. Did a flying race start off the pier. Age group was STACKED. Finished 40th overall in swim, but was 10th in my age group. But my goal was to be in the top ten in my group, so I can't gripe. I was worried that by being in the last heat that I would have to pick my way through the slow swimmers in the heats ahead, but that proved not to be an issue.

Not much. Swam straight, hugging the inside lane. LOTS of beautiful, OPEN water. For some reason, most of the swimmers choose to swim farther out...the only that would have made me swim better was if I was in better condition.

Really took my time. Chatted with my Sister who was across the fence as I prepped myself - and still posted a good time.

Not much.

Not sure exactly what my split was...website doesn't have a time for me. hmm...

My best guess is that I did the 56 miles in 3:30-3:40 range. The first 40 miles I took it easy because I wanted to leave something in the tank for the run. I was feeling good at mile 40, so I decided to start mashing the pedals on the remaing hills.

I needed to bike more. 56 is NOT a comfortable distance for me. Heck, the most I rode before race day had been 45 miles, plus the rides I did do were often under 30 miles. However, I did hit the time I wanted too, and I did finish the bike, which I was a bit worried about.

I also should keep things in perspective. I've raised my bike mph from 16 to 20 in two years (sprints and olys).

I felt good coming off the bike and thought I was ready for the run. In the previous tri's I've done this year, I felt a bit sore coming off the bike but the discomfort quickly dissipated after a mile or so...where upon I ran faster and faster. This race, though, I felt a bit sore, but DIDN'T feel like I had the legs to run sub 8 or sub 9 minute miles. I averaged around 9 minute miles for the first 4...then I began walking through the water stations. By mile nine, my walks were getting longer.

A nice cold towel. gatorade.


The bike. For one, my bike time was slow (but, again, I expected that)...but more importantly my poor bike conditioning sapped me of my running power...something I FAILED to foresee. I have no other explaination why I bonked so horribly on the run. Especially considering how well I felt - and did - in the run portion for the past two oly's I competed in. I just didn't FEEL like I could run fast...I felt great mentally...but the legs just didn't respond.

I doubt the run distance was an issue either, because I had been doing double digit long runs (10,13,15) for the past month and still had the rements of my marathon training from a few months back. Perhaps, I should've done some hard bricks...

If I commit myself to the bike over the winter and next Spring, I see no reason why I wouldn't have a HUGE time drop (not just for the bike portion, but also because it effects the run) in the 1/2. The problem is I love running and swimming and that leaves little time for me to work on weakness. And invariably when I work-out so much I suffer from burn-out...something which I've struggled with the past few weeks.

I also think I can swim faster with another year of club swimming and if I decide to spend the coin and get a wetsuit.


Race was run very well. Water stations during the run segment had many volunteers. For every 10 miles on the bike there was an aid station that provided a plethora of items: 20oz gatorades, energy gel, bananas, energy bars and bottles of water.

Lone gripe was that the post race food was Pizza Hut pizza. Would've liked to have seen some fruit, bagels, and such. They did have a nice massage/aid tent available. Unfortunately, that tent was for the most part the only shaded area available in the park - which was mostly just beach front.