I really don't mind the swim, but not going to complain about the shortened course. Was cold initially, felt fine once my wave started. Swam at my own pace and followed the bubbles to go between 2 rows of kayaks. Toward the end of the swim the fog lifted. Finally could see the environment and know where I was going.

My time was ~ 21 min. Estimated distance was 1000 m instead of 1500 m.

try to draft more

2007 33:22 | 1500 meters | 02:13 / 100 meters
2008 20:45 | 1000 meters | 02:05 / 100 meters

Strippers removed my wetsuit. Air was thick and warm. No need to use warming tent. My rack was close to swim end but far from bike mount. Wiped off feet, put on socks, bike shoes, headband, helmet, sun-glasses, race belt with numbers on the back. Didn't bother to dry my body. Drank some gatorade and ate 1/2 a gel.

Nothing

bike computer decided not to respond even though I checked it before heading to swim. No numbers to distract me. Most of the time I have no idea which part of the course I was on. Relied on my watch to time my drinking. Remember most of the scene from last year - where the BT tent was, where I saw Cappy, where Max was directing traffic, where I fell.

Still concerned of the bike problems this morning. First mile was making sure the rear wheel/tire were ok. Found that rear bottle cage was loose. Damn!

Seemed to have arrived Devil Hill earlier. Didn't noticed the steep hill before that - remember struggling last year on the earlier hill. Saw the Devil lady and pointed my finger toward her as if shooting a gun, and made the "BANG!" sound. This made her laugh. Panting like a dog riding up Devil Hill. I maybe the one who breathed the loudest. A moment of weakness here - saw a person walking. Rode to the right and prepare to get off bike. But remembered Matt (one of my roommates last nights) saying that I had all the problems taken care of before the race and today should be a good race day. Continued up the hill.

Bottle exchange at ~ mile 10. Almost finished one of my bottles. Dropped that and grabbed a new one. First time I did something like that and felt cool - like a real cyclist. Glad I didn't knock the kid off. :) Shortly after when replacing a 1/2 full bottle on the rear cage I dropped it - due to loose cage. Good thing the full bottle I got at the exchange was still cold.

There was this lady from the Boston Tri team that kept passing and passed by me. After the 7th pass I said "I started to really like you". Recognized the area I fell last year and told her about that.

Intermitten clouds and slight breeze at times. Didn't feel too hot.

Would be nice if I can ride faster. But since I don't really like training, I'm ok with the result.

2007 01:41:06
2008 01:43:49

Straight forward T2.

Think the first mile maybe short. Same for last year. No jelly legs though. Drank at every station. By this time it was very hot. Got a wet sponge and kept re-wetting it at water stations.

Saw csimpkins right at the mile 1 marker. He was returning.
Toward the end of mile 2 was a short but steep down hill which I felt I rolled down like a snowball. Turned around, took a gel, allowed myself to walk with long strides up that same hill. Top of feet hurt. Allowed myselt to walk a bit more in the next 2 miles, keeping the long strides.

happy to see faster run splits than last year even with the walks.

2007 01:08:59 | 06.21 miles | 11:07 min/mile
2008 01:03:19 | 06.21 miles | 10:11 min/mile

Jumped into the lake.
Jumped into the lake again when I got back to cottage.


Didn't want to train.

2007 = 3:28:28
2008 = 3:12:18 (shortened swim course)


Still think it is a tough course early in the season for the NE. The huge temp difference in particular.