The water was COLD. I mean really cold, very cold, holy Sh!t cold! And yes, I'm a wus. Anyway, did I mention cold? I could barely catch my breath just standing in the water an swimming was even worse! I struggled out to the first bouy and then felt like I could swim. WRONG!. I would get about 4 strokes in and then have to breathe. My pool swims have been good, so I'm sure a lot of it is cold water. The wetsuit helped, and when I did swim, I felt VERY good and fast. I just couldn't sustain it. I was NOT last in my group (yeah!), and I wasn't passed by the women (3min behind) until after the last turn, so I consider that a success. Given my issues I wanted to break about 13:00 (worst case) and I believe my actual swim time was right around 11:37 (to out of the water. The race site has 12+ but that included the run out to transition.

I need to sit in the water for 15 to 20 min, but with the national anthem and the cold, I was a little screwed up.

OK, I need to figure this out.(time is my swim minus the run to transition + time from race) I got my suit 1/2 - off in the water and ran to transition. From there, it all went to crap! I had to sit down as I was so dizzy I felt like I was going to fall over. I had to really think about putting on my shoes (need to remember little things - unvelcro shoes first, etc), my socks pissed me off as I my feet were too wet and the layers bunched and seperated. (I'd ride without, but am having blister issues, so... I also had trouble getting on my gloves (Wife says they were insided out, might be part of the problem). My biggest problem was if I had a fast transition, I would have ridden like one of those kids who spins around playing the bat game and then can't run straight. I actually had trouble with the run to the bike course, as I was dizzy. It was a good 5 min before I was ready to run well.

Not be dizzy. Have shoes open, practice with socks, think about things a bit better. my layout was good, just my execution stunk!

Ok, I was a little dizzy out of the blocks and up the first hill, so I took it easy. I then almost died as I picked up my water bottle and BLAM, hit a "divit" in the course. Gatoraid everywhere! Oh, well, lesson learned. I then felt really good. My legs warmed up nicely, and I felt pretty good. I have only been on the bike 4 times total, once at the store, 1 20+ mile ride, and two trainer rides, so I was happy. I kept saying "Still have to run, still have to run." This actually helped me from making sure to pass the bozo in the pants with the rear view mirror who would sprint past me and then slow down. You gota hate the tall guys who ride a lot, but don't know how to ride in a pack. I felt that I climbed really well and really enjoyed things. On the one huge downhill, I hit somewhere around 36mph, and yelled WHEEEEEEEE. I'm know I cracked up a few people I passed as I heard laughing.

There was also a duathlon, so there were a lot of bikers who hadn't swam, and I could tell that some of them were used to drafting, as there was quite a bit of that, and of pulling in close infront of me.

Bring front mounted lasers to shoot the annoying guy and drafters!

MORE TITS!! (time in the saddle)

Again I was slow. I really think it is more to due with practice and just keeping my bearings.

Practice more. Learn how to jump of bike and take off shoes.

Coming out of T2, I felt very sluggish. My legs were like lead and the hill didn't help. I felt like I was doing a good job of one foot infront of the other, but still felt slow. My pacing says I did OK, butI really need more bricks and hills, I've avoided them, and that will help. I felt pretty good on the downhill and then I felt my legs finally get under me. That was until the big hill around mile 2+. That sapped me and a few people blew by me. I then felt ok, coming across the last 1/2 mile or so and was trying to reel a few people in, but didn't have that much gas. As I came towards the chute, I heard someone come up behind me, and I was like, NO WAY, and sprinted the last 200 yards or so. As I pulled out on the guy, I heard him yell, "go for it" or something. Thanks 51! That was a nice push, and it felt good. He came up and high-fived me after the race. I know the course was short as I was way faster than expected, but I ran the whole way - except rock in shoe - and I surprised the Mrs. who was spectating and didn't see me finish.

Run faster :) Be better a hills. Will work on both of those.

Not enough TITS :) I just like saying that!