spit in goggles to prevent fog and wear a wet suit for floating purposes.

I didn't have my computer working for the race. I saw Cone on the opposite side of the road and I think this motivated me a bit. I began standing up to pass riders as I approached which may have hindered my run.

Just prepare for the race more and probably wouldn't stand up when passing, think I really strained the interior quads I was about to use for the run.

still need to work on both my transitions and getting out of shoes earlier

Started cramping in the interior quads within the first mile. Tried to get pretzels and Gu at the first station. Then started consuming whatever GU and liquid I could find along the way. Seems like the GU worked soon after it was consumed, but then I was back to cramping in the quads. Around mile 5 felt a sharp cramp in the hamstring which reduced me to a walk around the pirate drink station. Very frustrating. Walked through it for a moment and then got to running again. Cramping got pretty good right before the final turn to the finish line. I stopped to walk and then a guy i had been running with for a while told me, "keep going, it's just around the corner". Thanks, buddy, I needed that.

Been told by one or two other racers that salt tablets may have come in handy; I think it was also the hardest workout I have ever done in my life. Oh yeah, two nights before I stayed up late with Masterson drinking beer and playing cards. Slept in a really small bed and got no sleep because my infant daughter wouldn't sleep. So, i would not do that next time. But I hadn't seen my buddy in almost a year and that was more important to me than the race.

walked to the food tent


mostly the run, but I need to improve my swimming speed and my bike speed. The top racers average greater than 20 mph, so my goal for my next race is to get over 20 mph on the bike and do whatever I can to prevent the cramping during the run.


This was a great race for my first "real" race and I look forward to doing it again for many years to come.