I self-seeded myself in the front and to the right near the buoy line for the deep water start. I expected the guy next to me to be fast and straight and had plans to jump behind him and ride his feet. Unfortunately, the guy behind him had the same plan. I spent the first 250 meters trying to find some feet to get behind but I couldn't knock the guy off the lead guy's feet and so we swam next to each other to the turn buoy. Getting through the waves ahead of us was tough, especially with all the breast strokers. I got kicked a few times but I was moving fast enough to only take one blow. The last 250 meters I kept trying to move closer to the lead swimmer but he took a path around a slower group and I had to go the other way. I ran into some traffic and fell behind until the last 50 meters when I got some clear water and was able to close the gap. I finished the swim tied for 2nd and about 14 seconds behind my rabbit.

More aggressive on fighting for the lead guys feet:) This was about as good a swim as I could do on this course considering the timing mat is about 25 yards on shore after a good 15-20 feet of shallow water running (on rocks).

I was across the timing mat quick to try and beat another racer for 2nd place but then had to walk when I started to cough. I must have swallowed a bit of water down my wind pipe cause it hurt. It only lasted a few seconds and I was to my bike quickly. Glasses on, helmet on, bike off the rack, run to the mount line, ugly speed mount with the shoes on peddles and I was off.

Run the whole way.

I was on my bike quickly and able to get into my shoes before the first turn and then I dropped into aero and tried to find my legs on the nice downhill at the start. The road is rough on the uphill part and I knew to take it easy as I spun up that first incline. Nobody past me here so my strategy must have worked. Once I crested the hill, I started to push a higher gear getting my legs warmed up for the turn and the following little uphill, the next section is rough as well but I knew to stay to the inside of the lane and just grind. I past 3-4 people on this section and even saw James Bonney coming back the other way after dropping out of the race after he took a wrong turn. I took the corner at Cele Rd and Cameron at 25mph and felt great going up the rough but short first rolling hill. Down the backside, then up the next a little slower, then I started to pass a few people as the road leveled out. Once we turned onto Cameron heading west, I started to get passed by people in my age group. This section is my worst as it's a false flat and we had a bit of head wind. Nothing bad but I am not a small target and even in aero I pose more of a drag than those little bitty knats that ride in my AG. I struggled on Cameron and Pecan as about 5-6 riders passed me. Then we turned on the frontage road of 130 and I thought I would gain it all back on the slightly downhill and typical tailwind section. Nope, headwind again, so I was working too hard to stay at 20mph and noticed that I dropped down to 18-19mph. I didn't get passed on this section, but I didn't pass anyone either. The turn onto Pfluger Lane was better than I expected and I was able to pick-up my pace and cruise back into the transition area at around 22mph. The spectators were great along this road, it felt like the Tour de France! I wasn't able to do a speed dismount coming into transition (hip issues-more on that later) but I did a quick pull to the line and was off the bike and running without more than a second of stopping.

The Wednesday Lunch time hammer fest ride at work is helping but I haven't been doing it long enough to build my threshold higher yet. I will keep doing this ride weekly, even though it hurts like hell.

I was into transition and to my rack with some speed (for me). Bike racked, helmet off, shoes (no socks) on, picked up my race belt and hat and took off out of transition.

Nothing.

I ran out of transition putting on my race number belt and hat and was able to grab a cup of water, drink a sip, then pour the rest on my head. It felt good since it had started to warm-up. The wind was blowing, slightly from the west and it felt good the first part of this run. I was able to stay nice and comfortable and managed to get into a nice pace going across the Damn. After about a half mile my left hip started to tighten. I have had chronic problems with this hip (muscular) and have decided it's time to treat it aggressively since I am just having fun this year. Anyway, I ran 4 minutes, walked 1 minute the rest of the way as a couple hundred people passed me on the run. I did, however, pass a group of Jack and Adams people that started 3 waves ahead of me.

Run faster, get my hip fixed.

Walked around looking for friends that finished, grabbed a wet towel, some water and a Popsicle, then headed down to the finish line (that I helped build the day before) and cheered people to the finish. I saw Kari coming around the corner with her flower hat and got right on the course to give her a high five and yell. Then we met behind the finish line and walked around together.


Hip, running, lack of training consistency/ intensity since IMAZ in April.


This is the second year for the LPT and it showed improvement, even after a first year success. Home Depot donated some outdoor green carpet to line the swim exit from the lake to the transition area and it made a difference. The event ran on time, wasn't crowed and was well marked (even though I could do the course with my eyes closed), and had good post race stuff. The ONLY complaint I have is no race medal. I could do without the t-shirt but for some reason I am stuck on wanting a race medal. I will definitely do this race every year since it's basically in my backyard and my training area.