After the initial start, settled into the middle of the pack. Got a swim buddy, but didn't need him :) MOP was different because I wasn't close to many people- they were all ahead or behind. Passed a few people, I don't think I was passed by many.

Closer to the inside, maybe a faster start to get ahead of the crowd and stay there.

Body glide FAIL. Wetsuit stuck on my wrist first, causing a slower run up the chute, then had problems getting it off around the heels. Tried to go slow to concentrate and not rush through things. Getting out of the start gate for the bike, the mount, and all of that went really well.

Try the spray stuff? I like the idea of having a bucket to sit on. Shoes were sort of difficult to get on- open them up "wider" or again, some sort of lube?

Hung with the road bikes, didn't see many tri bikes around me, but many passed me :) I felt like I got a pretty solid footing here. Clipping in and out was perfect- no troubles. Shifting was good, hills were minor, but still 'there'. Passed the people on slower bikes in the other age groups- surprised I didn't see many of my own AGers from the racks?

Aero the bike as much as I can. Drink more beforehand so I don't feel like I have to drink on the bike. Or get the aero-straw setup, those look pretty slick.

Decided to skip the socks, thinking it would save some time. Grabbed a gel, a swig of gatorade.

Went 'the long way' to the bike rack- I guess I could have gone down the middle, wasn't quite sure of protocol here. Bring the gel on the bike or on the run, not necessarily in T2. Loosen the speed laces! They were too tight by this point- after swim, bike.

Not a fan of 2 loops the first time around, but the 2nd time around, I guess I knew where the finish was? Here's where I saw some AGers I recognized- one passed me up and I couldn't hang, another I had a really good pace-race with, I honestly don't remember who 'won'. Picked up the pace the last mile. The people I knew close to the finish line from the bike shop were SO HELPFUL and encouraging- I finished with a really strong sprint across. The time on the board was reading 1:29:XX- I wasn't going to let it roll over to 1:30! New 5k personal best.

Socks- I got something in my shoe, actually sliced the ball of my foot a little. It didn't bother me so much during the run at the time, but who knows.

Grabbed some gatorade, hung out at the racks, chatting to the neighbors. Packed up my stuff, waited for results. Went back to thank the people that cheered me on, and joined the cheering crowd for a little bit. Met some really nice people in the beer garden, stayed longer than planned socializing.


Not quite sure, maybe just mentally being more confident in my swim?