Once at the water, I dropped off my shoes (which I planned on using for the 320 yard run to transition) and got in the water to warm up. The suit felt good, the water wasn't that bad and I was ready to roll. After a few minutes they had us swim out and tread water for a few minutes before taking off...I got bumped here and there but found some space pretty quickly. I had to slow down a couple of times to get out of the way and when it was clear I picked the pace right back up. Sighted pretty well too...before I knew it, I was making the final turn and hauling ass home.

Nothing except draft better and site a little better. I probably cost my self a little time because I was wide on the first buoy...

Came out of the water a bit early but I was just happy to be standing up ;-) Ran through to transition (shoeless, I just didn't want to slow down to slide on shoes). I will say that this is definitely not a "fast" course...the transition is 300+ yards uphill, through grass and mud...yeah, not as much fun as it sounds! Made it into transition and the suit came off easily. Helmet on, gear on and out in what felt like pretty good time (not sure yet, times aren't posted).

Good but I need to work on mounting bike at speed...otherwise I think I did as well as I can expect considering it was my first ever OWS and first swim with a wetsuit.

Bike was very hilly but a good ride. I passed some folks on the uphills but got killed by all the tri bikes on the downhills. I tried to not go out too hard but the adrenaline was pumping so I'm sure I went out harder than I should have. After a very hilly first half, the last 5-7 miles were great...mostly downhill on small country roads and before I knew it I was back on site. Also, took one gel about 10-15 minutes in and drank a few times (probably could have drank more). Into the dismount line pretty clean but slow...need to work on that a lot.

Just need to get stronger on the bike...I did a good job on the uphills and passed a few people. But I lost ground on the downhills as I was passed by a bunch of people on tri bikes in aero. So, all I need to do is put a lot more time in the saddle and upgrade my bike...

Transition 2 was fine...in, rack my bike and change gear. Nothing major to report but could have likely moved a bit faster.

Not much except work on my dismount...

The run was hard. It started with two very steep downhills that didn't feel too good. Once you got through that it wasn't bad...two loops of a pretty flat out and back. The first loop felt pretty hellish but I was in much better shape on the final loop...turned the corner to head to the finish and had to run up two brutal hills to make it. I did it though and ran the whole way. And wow, my time was way faster than it felt like...not sure how that is possible but if it is, then wow I was running way faster than I thought.

More bricks...but overall a great run.

Walked around a bit, stretched and ate...also saw some friends and hung out with Lisa until I was ready to pack up.


My base is still pretty infantile...just need to continue to slowly build my run, bike and swim base and work on some speed. Also, need to do more hills on the bike...I didn't handle them as well as I'd like to...


Good race and pretty well organized. However, there weren't a lot of volunteers out and there weren't many aide stations on the run. The post-race activities were well organized but nothing too grand. But there was plenty of food...