Started off with best swim ever. I kept up with the wave (which I never used to be able to do when I raced 10 years ago), breathing easy, around the first two bouys. Then I lost the course a little, heading too far to the right. I couldn't figure out the course, then I made the mistake of trying to swim hard to get back into the group. Got overwhelmed and had to backstroke to catch my breath.

Stay calm, even if I swim off course. Don't speed to catch up, just keep the rhythym going. Don't panic in the waves. Consider wearing a watch to keep track of my pace for the swim and T1.

Estimated time based on guesstimate of swim and official swim+T1 time. Still recovering from stress in last part of swim, so I walked the transition (plus it was quite the long haul!). But at the bike, everything went smoothly. Glad I had the Cliff shots package open and ready to eat while gearing up.

Try to run at least some of the transition

Slow on the climbs (nothing new there), but nice speed on the downs. Several hills hit 30-35 mph, with a peak speed of 41.7 mph. Overall felt pleased about the performance, especially since the seat still felt a little low.

Some more time training the new bike to get the fit dialed in better. It wouold have been nice to run the course ahead of time, but I don't think it would really have changed anything. Maybe ride more hills?

Fast transition. Felt good. Sucked down some stinger gel and a gulp of water.

Throw some socks on - I paid for running sockless on the run, and the time lost putting on socks would have been made up for by the run itself

After faily strong swim and bike, blew it on the run. Going sockless proved a mistake. Got 3 blisters, and ended up having to walk the hills because of discomfort and elevated HR. Overall the run was no hillier than my training runs, so there was no good reason to turn out a poor performance. OTOH, I only would have advanced one place in my age-group, so I shouldn't be too upset.

Put on socks!

Nothing to speak of. Walked around a little, drank some water.


Panicking in the water because I tried to rush back to the main grouping. I should have stayed calm since the first 2/3 went so well. Not enough time in the saddle with the new bike to get the fit perfected. Going sockless on the run. I won;t be doing THAT again!


There were a lot of volunteers on this course, directing traffic and hydrating athletes on the run. As advertised, the bike was hilly, but hey, it IS coal country! Maybe if I bring the bike up to practice the course when I am up that way for a day of kayaking or climbing, I can make a long day of it, and do even better for next year!