Swim went well I had the mindset of taking my time. Last year I got sick in the water and just wanted to make sure I got through it. I kept telling myself to keep going and not to give up. In the beginning of the swim heading towards the damn I got bumped, climbed over, and hit in the head. After making the turn I figured Id swim a little further away from the pack and go on my own terms. I used the breast stroke for my sighting and I think I did pretty well with that.

My TT time a few weeks ago of 1650M was 32:02. Surprising I only did 12 seconds slower with even more breast stroke in the race instead of the TT. Also I did go another 150M ;)

Nothing really maybe get faster. I think I increased my swimming fitness greatly training up to this race and that helped a ton. My confidence was huge and I just enjoyed every minute of the swim. Completely different then last years race.

T1 went okay, seeing this was the first T1 I really had at Columbia it took me about 15 seconds to get all back to grips with where I was. Once getting my senses I heard my family (or part of it) cheer me on. I started out with the run quickly. High five'in the rest of the family further down. Quickly tried to take the wetsuit off as fast as I could and it definitely got stuck on my heels. Dried off and got everything on and got up the hill to get on my bike.

Practice taking the wetsuit off more, and also having everything organized that I try not to forget anything.

Needless to say I was not ready for the hills at all!! I have trained on them before but riding down in Salisbury, Maryland (Eastern shore) Nothing compared to the hills today. I tried through my training to do strength workouts and that didn't work. :) Good ride through the course to say the least. Little freaky riding up on that guy who fell with the bloody head. Definitely a scary though with the speed and the amount of people doing the race. Legs got a little tired near the end and I think it had to do with all of the hills.

Good job considering my fitness in that.

Similar to last year. Ride more hills. Plan to do that for next years race.

Decent pace. Talked it up a little bit with another guy who was in my AG and also rode with me. Little but behind me and was curious about Macca and Lieto... amazing stuff with their races. REALLLLY had to pee, I did drink almost 36 oz. of fluid on the bike course. Maybe too much hydration?

Maybe not so much fuel? Get used to yanks for the shoes. Used those last year but didn't like them because of they weren't "tight enough"

I was passed by Rick (Daremo) near the end of the bike. He then did a "cool down" run and came with me for a little bit and helped me push it. Thanks Rick for that. Wish I could have kept your pace.


Tried to get a move on and pace myself for the rest of the race. During any uphills my quads seized up on my especially around mile 3-4ish. Very nice for the "Dolly Hills" with all of the men dressed up in drag. Took my mind off the pain. Near mile 3-5ish.. walked up most of the hills with the quads. Just didn't want to be forced to a walk anymore.

Came near the end of the race and I wasn't taking walking for an answer anymore. I came down the finish shoot to the crowd cheering and came across the finish line showing the "IMI" symbol. (My cousin Joe Liberto owns the company and sponsers the race and other races).. so I showed some pride and helped him get his name out there. :)

Run more hills also run more in general through march and april.

Met up with the family, tried to get food but the line was super long. Got back to the transition, packed the car and went to get some food in me.

After the race then came back and unpacked ALLLL of my stuff from college since I graduated yesterday. 5 hours later I'm all up and running.


Hills to sum it up quickly since this RR is super long.


Love this race and will be doing it for years to come.