Great swim in a beautiful setting. Usually I mix in breastroke to help with sighting and to give my arms a little break. I was determined to do this one all/mostly freestyle, which I did. Went out wide at the start to get away from the thrashing of the pack. Did a great job with sighting after that, but didn't have much of a chance to draft. Also did a good job of rationing my energy. Didn't realize at the time that this would be the high point for me.

Definitely one of my better swims all around.

One of my better T1 times. No wetsuit to strip saved me time for sure.

What can I say? I haven't been on the bike much at all this summer, and it really showed. I was actually cruising along at a good clip on the front half, but hills on the back half zapped me. Starting at mile 8, I was suffering up all of the climbs and saw legions go flying past me on the flats. Didn't wear my HRM, but I had to dial down the effort to make sure nothing popped through my chest. Conditioning is not where it ought to be.

Train.

Considering the shape I was in when I came in off the bike, this was pretty good for me. I might have been a little speedier, but I was also conscious of the big hill waiting for me just outside of the racks. Felt a little twinge in my hamstring as I was pulling on one of my shoes. Straightened out my leg just before it seized up in full cramp mode. Second time that's happened.

Prior to the race, I set myself a goal of 8 minutes per mile. While I nearly got there, this run wasn't what I looking for. Went very easy out of T2 up the BIG hill, but turned out onto the course feeling cramped in my neck, shoulder, and side. Tried to loosen up my stride and concentrate on steady breathing which worked after a mile or so, but even then I felt on the verge a side stitch the rest of the way. Six or seven guys tracked me down on the second mile, and even though I tried to reel them back in on the last mile, I couldn't find the right gear. Passed one guy in the chute who was in worse shape than me, but nothing about this run felt comfortable.

Train.

Sat in the shade for a bit sipping water. Cooled off in the lake before packing up my gear and beating a retreat back to the car.


Overall fitness is poor right now. I reached an endurance milestone in March this year (first marathon and second HIM in the same month). It's been steadily downhill since then in terms of training and conditioning.


Nice community event, but a relatively poor showing on my part. Racing is great, in part, because it usually provides a clear and honest reflection of the training you've got behind you. I can't say I liked what I saw, but then, the truth sometimes hurts. I might cut myself a break here and chalk up my difficulties to a tough period in my life, but the fact is it's time for me to buckle down and get back into a serious training regimen again. That or turn into a couch potato again. No, thank you.