Felt strong and steady in the water. Settled in relatively quickly to a good pace and my breathing felt comfortable. First time I've thought about technique and breathing as I swam...rather than just thinking about getting through it. The wave spread out fairly quickly so I didn't have too many swimmers to either get around or coming over my back. Eventually started catching a few swimmers in earlier waves, and during the last stretch had a few in the wave behind me catch up.

Nothing. I was pleased with my swim relative to my goal.

Had a problem getting my left shoe clipped in. Took a few tries to get cleat to lock.

Much better in transition than last season. Actually ran through this year, which I didn't do in last years events. It is funny trying to get shoes on when equilibrium is still a bit off, but I stayed upright!

Nothing

Nothing like the bike to reveal how slow I really am! I passed a rider here and there, but I must have gotten a look at the bikes of half the field as riders came by me! A lot of nice bikes out there too. Nothing like hearing those disc wheels coming up from behind. A few riders decided, that, although the lanes were wide enough they prefer passing within inches of me. Not quite sure about that.

Did have one scare skimming a speed bump in losing a bit of control and riding off the road into the drain gulley. Coming back onto the road jolted the bike and I was a bit concerned I'd puncture a tire. Fortunately wasn't a problem.

My time actually was pretty good in relation to my training. I just need to get faster. I've got too much ego to keep doing these and get passed like that!

Just need to train more and get better!

Went to put on race belt and realized that I hadn't re-adjusted it after letting my son use it in the Meek and Mighty on Sat. Not a big problem, just added a few seconds as I adjusted.

Nothing

This became about survival! The first mile I had to work just to banish the negative thoughts, cause 6 miles seemed overwhelming! Strategy was to run to each aid station and walk through as I hydrated. Did that for the first 2 miles, but then had to walk a bit more here and there. I tried to keep it to just a few steps and then get back into a jog.

Started to feel some cramping in my quads in the middle of the run. Would really be noticable when I'd walk getting water/Gatorade. First time I've felt that. However, it was gone by the last 2 miles.

Considering that I walked a few more times than normal, and I was completely cooked, I was surprised my run time wasn't slower than it was.

Train more...do more bricks.

Didn't do much other than drink plenty of water and Gatorade and get something to eat.


Me


I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this event. As brutal as the run was, and as happy as I was to get to that finish line and have the race over, my first thought was "I'll be back next year and I'm going to be much faster!"

This was the longest event I've done and getting to that finish line was awesome. I look forward to getting better and being back again in '09!