Gun goes and I take off pretty fast. I started way to the left so I could see the pack when I breathe and not have to sight. Contact wasn't too bad early. It is what it is. You just learn to deal with it. After the first buoy I found myself way off course, which is most likely because I started so far to the left. I knew I was going slow, but I just couldn't seem to shake it. I've just felt so unenergetic and lazy all week long, and it definitely carried into the swim. Rounded the corner buoy pretty much by treading water. There was just too much traffic. Finally found a rhythm and felt like I was starting to move a after the second corner buoy. But by this time, there wasn't much swim left. Swam all the way in until I could grab sand, then stood up and tried to get my knees high. On to T1.

I guess I just need to really learn how to swim. I'm thinking that I'll start doing some Masters swim at the lifetime fitness in Allen, and hopefully that will help me really improve my stroke. But I am extremely disappointed with this time.

Pretty happy with this transition. Very few people in the field had sub minute T1's. Didn't get into my shoes well, so I really need to practice this more often.

Just get into my shoes better and quicker.

God, I love riding. When I first started I thought that the run would always be my strength, but I feel so strong on the bike these days. Unfortunately, it really took about 9 or 10 miles for me to feel strong. Legs felt like rubber early. I was still passing people, but I just couldn't feel strong. Hit a few small hills around mile 8 I guess, and I think those finally got my legs warmed up because I felt strong from that point on. Even though I felt strong, there were solid riders out there passing me. And every single one of them had disc wheels. Whooosh! Whoosh! Every time. So I'm finally feeling good, and then disaster strikes in T2.

I don't know. My practice rides always just consist of me going and riding, so maybe I should look into specific types of training when it comes to cycling.

Let me start off by saying I've never had troubles with the flying dismount. Always worked just fine. I'm coming in pretty fast and I know the dismount line is a good ways away. The volunteers are telling me to slow down, I'm going too fast. Well, maybe they were right. I never found the dismount line, but I thought by the sound of the volunteers that it was in fact time to dismount. So I brake, take off into a run. So I start to think, why don't I give the spectators a little show! (ok, I really didn't think this) I can feel that I'm running a bit too fast, and suddenly my right foot clips my pedal. Down goes Clint! Down goes Clint! My feet go in first, while I'm hanging on to the bike still. Apparently the bike went airborne for a second while I'm sliding into home plate, dragging my bare feet underneath my butt. I'm guessing I slid maybe 5-10 feet. Not too far, but enough to cause a little damage. Didn't get much more than a scrape on the lower left leg, left elbow, a little on the left hand, and a little on my back. But the real problem was I dragged my right foot and my big toes were a little cut up. Somehow I manage to pop right up into a run, and I hear alot of cheers, including a loud "NICE RECOVERY!". I like to think I didn't look too much like a fool, because I sure felt like one. At this point I'm dragging the bike pretty much and my right shoe comes unclipped. As if I didn't have enough problems already! Some volunteer reaches to pick it up, and another yells at him to not touch it. No assistance, I know the rules. So I turn around fight oncoming traffic, and pickup the shoe. Finally get to my rack, and I realize all the blood on my feet. Figure what the hell, and put on my running shoes. Immediately I knew this run was going to SUCK. Begin to jog out of T2, and prepare myself to give everything I have on the run.

Dismount cleanly and not look like a clumsy fool. This is hard though, because I am a clumsy fool! :)

Every time I step I can feel pain in my toes. After the race I realize that my big toe nail has a crack running straight down the middle of it, and this was the cause of the pain. Didn't set my footpod, so I really wasn't sure of my pace. So I just try to keep up with those around me for the first half mile or so. Left calf begins its normal cramp, but it goes away after about 5 seconds and never returns. At least something went right there. Realize I can run a bit faster so I speed it up and leave the crew I was running with. Still struggling though, and I know I'm not running as well as I could be. About the halfway point there is a sprinkler overhead that is spraying water. So I run through puddles, and immediately they take us off road. Great, I really do not enjoy running off roads. I'm clumsy, and I'm just looking down the whole time trying to make sure I avoid tree roots and anything that could trip me up. Finally get back on road and I pick up the pace. About to finish and the route turns into grass in an open area. I can deal with this. But then it turns to sand! Why am I running in sand, especially to finish the race when I'm wanting to give everything I've got to finish the race? Finish as strong as I can, a bit disappointed as I see my time.

Prepare for trail running, I guess. But I think I did about as good as I could have done given the circumstances.

Saw my mom, so went to see her. She persuaded me to go to the medical tent, where they slapped some liquid that burned like fire on my leg. Then bandaged it. Said he couldn't really do anything for my toes. Then I headed to get a banana and some water. Stretched a bit, and just chilled. Looked for Cliff and Gina, but couldn't find either. So continued to chat with mom and try to get into transition, which they wouldn't allow regardless of my condition. Finally found Cliff, and eventually Gina. Chatted with them briefly. Ate a chicken fajita and almost threw it up. I'm just not much of an eater after races. Headed on out as the awards were starting to be given out.


I really believe that my poor eating habits this week led to my sluggishness I felt through the swim and most of the bike. And of course sliding instead of dismounting is never a good idea.


The talent level here was pretty impressive. Some 20 year old kid from OK came down and smoked everybody. To place in a race like this would be an amazing accomplishment.

However, I really don't get the feeling of accomplishment that I used to with these sprints. Maybe my heart is set on the two HIM's I have coming up. I use to think that I want to be really competitive in these, and I still do. But I believe that the feeling I will get when I finish an HIM or IMAZ (even if I finish dead last) is going to be unbelievably more amazing than placing in my AG in the sprints would be.

But the race packet for this race straight up kicks A$$. Some running shorts, a running shirt, a t-shirt, socks, a nice large travel bag, sunglasses, and the standard stuff like clif bar and clif shot, and other miscellaneous stuff. I doubt I'll do this again, but the race packet almost makes it worthwhile!