Took off at about 11:15

Slow pace due to lack of training. Many folks that I should have at least equaled in the pool exited before me. Good for them, learning experience for me.

Start swimming earlier and build.

Had to put on gloves and a LS shirt. Gloves and towel were in the pool area. Having the gloves on first made the LS shirt go on much easier. All went far better than expected and the extra 15 seconds were well worth the time.

Glad I had practiced getting in and out of shoes with gloves this spring.

Nothing

The heavens opened with a gale. The cross winds were at times over 30-35 mph. Despite this, I am glad I used my disc. The times when the cross winds were the greatest seemed to be the times that I gained the most on those ahead.

I need more time on the bike, but this spring has really sucked with all the snow.

Good, Fast, T2.

Very glad I had practiced getting in and out of shoes with gloves this spring.

Nothing.

The run felt great! My pace was what I wanted.

The race ended in a very entertaining fashion. Paddle2Paddle had a pretty good jump on me at the beginning of the run. Another racer, Tim (in my AG), started a few seconds behind and stuck with me. We traded drafting each other and started picking off runners one by one. We eventually caught up to Paddle a little past the 2 mile mark. I took the lead and both stuck with me. With about a half mile left Tim passed. I just wanted to hang on. Paddle passed me and all looked hopeless. Paddle passed Tim on the ascent around the school about 100 yds from the finish. I was able to gain a touch while Paddle was passing. Both had a good 20 feet on me. Something in my head screamed, "TAKE THEM!" I shoveled the coals to the firebox and began a sprint. Tim reacted first as he was the first to realize he was getting passed. We both passed Paddle, but he reacted too late also. I crossed first with both Tim and Paddle less than a second behind. Tim might have beaten me if there were another 10 yards (heck 10 feet). I dang near vomited and would have had I not immediately lied down in the grass.

Tim had actually beaten me a few years previous in this race in the last 100 yards.

My hat goes off to both Tim and Paddle2Paddle for a hell of a run and race. Any other day either would have beaten me. It is good to see racers like Tim come back to previous form. It is also good to see racers like Paddle2Paddle progress in the sport.

Nothing.

Dropped to the ground to keep from puking.


Lack of early season training.


This remains one of my favorite races, despite the fact that the weather always seems adverse.