Mix in 1 mile of open water for 20mph winds to travel over and you get ~1.5 foot wind driven waves with breakers near the shore. Wind were WSW so on the long leg you had to swim at an angle into the waves. 2nd tri in a row now were I had to do this with big waves. I started on the outside and worked my way in towards the 1st buoy. A few swimmers were disoriented because they were crossing in front of me going way off course. I've learned in these conditions, site the big horizon landmarks, in this case the Melbourne causeway bridge was my target on the way out. After the turn, for the most part I was able to time the waves and breath in the troughs and swim under the waves, still seemed to take forever to reach the halfway point at the pier end but once I got there, I focused on getting to the finish. Swallowed my share of salt water though, yummy! Sure was nice to do the last 100+ yards cruising with the waves and do some body surfing!

Well, same old same old, not much. I need to get a coach/find a clinic. I think my wife feels the pain now and may release the funds for this when summer vacation is over!

1:12 is a blazing time for me compared to the last 4 years doing this race! My goal was 1:30 and I beat that by 18 sec. My previous best time for this race was 1:53.

I wish I could feel comfortable dumping the socks. I may do some short rides sockless and see how my feet respond. If I can toughen them up who knows!

Goal was 44:30, so missed the goal by 28 sec. The down leg crosswinds were a slight assist so I made an effort to maintain a +21mph speed and not to push it too hard, max speed on the down was 22.6mph. On the return the crosswinds were a slight headwind so I worked to maintain a 20 mph speed. Overall pace was comfy-hard, if this were a Time Trial and didn't have to run afterwards I could have been able to do +21mph average. Consumed about 18oz of water in my aero bottle and took a gel near at half way just in case. Dismount line was further up that in the past and I unclipped and pulled a leg over and coasted a bit before slowing and jumping off and running with the bike.

I guess I could have went a bit harded on the down leg and do a 22mph speed most of the way without hurting the return. I need to increase my T.I.T.S. this month in prep for next months sprint.

Goal was 45 sec, previous best was 52 sec, so I was really happy with 38 secs when I saw the time posted.

Nothing that I can think of. Oh I know, I can leave my run secret out and save a second or 2!

Keeping cool is a key of mine off the bike and besides the nice crosswinds we had I had a plastic baggy with ice cubes in a small cooler bag at T2 that I put inside my hat, and it went to work on my head! My first mile though was diappointing in that it took me 1/2 mile to feel normal. My calf's were really tight in the 1st 1/4 mile and I slowly made speed progress as I went. Doh, I didn't do any calf streching at all on the bike, something I normally do when on rides and when I do bricks in training. Just before the 1 mile mark a local triathlete/runner I know passed me and I know I can do a 5k run faster or as fast as her. When I saw my 1 mile time I was bummed a bit and vowed to keep her close by and increased my turnover and stayed more or less behind her. I grabbed a water at the 1st station just to wet my mouth and was able to settle down from there. Passed a bunch of people along the way and my 2nd and 3rd miles were each much better with negative splits with a nice last 0.3 mile hard effort.

Missed the goal by 29 sec. Wish I could have gotten out of that 1st mile funk sooner, goal was 7:50 or so for the 1st mile but I recovered nicely but ended up short of my goal for the run. More brick runs this month to work on that 1st mile.

I got some water and went to find the family near the finish line. My mother was there for the race and finally got to see me finish as last race she was at I crashed on the bike. She had her proud mama karma going as she had to take upteen pictures! Can't wait to see those, she usually is one to cut the heads of! Talked to several other triathletes I know here and there and tried to find Tod, yo Tod where were you!


Swim, always the swim!


This race just keeps getting bigger and bigger every year and has a some pro-elites that race in it. Always flat and fast except for the water this year. Will post some race photos later when they are ready.