The swim looked really long. You were able to walk about the first 50 meters and I chose to do that because the people in front of me would just have been kicking me in the face. I finally got in, fell right into rhythym. And honestly, before I knew it, the first corner bouy appeared, AWESOME! I have little experience in open water swiming, but luckily each corner had a huge boat by it, which made for easy sighting. I hung with an older gentleman for the second stretch and that side went pretty easy too. I was sighting every third breath and seemed to be doing great. The back stretch was the longest and I accidentally started thinking the large bouy was the corner, but much to my disappointment it was only halfway. I found the corner boat, and decided I could probably put a little more into the swim. Once I turned the final corner the sighting problems began as we were heading right into the glare of the sun. I just followed the splashing and was able to come out of the water in a pretty decent swim time for my lack of training.

I would probably go a little harder, and most definitely no longer fear the open water. 40 minutes allows you to get pretty used to it.

I've always heard to take it slow, so I did. A little jog and some walking. I decided to wear a bike jersey, in order to hold nutrition, as well as socks. Without too much trouble I was off.

I could probably fly a HIM transition just like a sprint if I was really looking to take time off. I was merely looking to enjoy the day and get an Iron distance under my belt before September.

The bike was probably my weakest point. I didn't really give it a race effort, and to be perfectly honest, I was okay with the ride. I went out up high cliff hill, which really wasn't the bad as long as you geared down. I passed a ton of sprint atheletes at this point, but once they turned off I realized I was quite along. I began getting doubts about going the right way, ever since dropping from 2nd to 4th in a sprint I'm always afraid of taking a wrong turn. I finally found some others and eased up until about mile 8, when I had to go to the bathroom. I waited, and waited, and waited for an aid station and luckily it had a porta-john. Quick release and I was on my way, feeling much better. I stuck to my nutrition of a gel every 30 minutes and and some Endurance here and there. The 15-35 was great and I was doing excellent. I had my average up to the mid 19's. Then it hit again, I needed the bathroom. I really didn't understand this, because I was not THAT well hydrated. I fell of nutrition as I didn't want to consume liquid and actually when 20 miles having to go to the bathroom until transition. It was misereable. I wished I would have just pulled over to the side of the road, found a tree, and ended the pain. I think I would have turned in a 19-20 mph average had I not had bathroom issues so often. I did however sprint like heck when I got to about 53-54. Rolled into transition happy as could be, seeing as I could finally pee.

Learn to pee myself. I tried soooo many times.

I pee'd, I was happy. Time to run. I actually switched into my tri-top. Why? So I look good for the pictures of course.

Not too much.

I started out pretty fast, and really there isn't much to this part of the story. I slowly, got slower until finally the last two miles were nearing the 10 minute pace and I picked it up because kids like me can't stand to see double digit mile times. It was cool run, but it was a two loop course, so I became dillusional the second lap and really don't remember anything. I was just running thinking about anything but slow, pain, and mile markers. Eventually I hit mile 12 marker and took off. I sprinted into the finish line like a little kid. I never know where I get that energy. But hey! Gotta look good for the camera.

Nothing, I ran well. Water and Enduro's made this run happen though.