I was happy with my swim - it's been my best time yet and overall there wasn't much else I could've done. I tried to draft as much as possible and managed to do so for about 3/4 of the first lap. Second lap there weren't too many people around me so it was nice open water.

Learn to swim faster! But in 2 years I came this far, just hope I can keep improving.

Transition was LOOOONG! Strippers were great - they took the suit off easily. Shoes were on the bike already so that helped my have a quick transition - except I had trouble getting on my bike cause I didn't have elastics to hold them in place - note for next time!

Don't forget the elastics.

Definitely struggled on the bike on the way out. It wasn't the hills though - that was great! - it was the downhills where the speed combined with the wind wasn't good with my new race wheels (85mm carbons). I think I need to rethink that choice. Other than that, the uphills were great, especially on the way back, I didn't think I was in good enough "hill shape" to do well, but I managed to pass quite a few on the way back. Could've used some more training on them though because I wanted to be around 2:40-ish or lower.

2 bottles of Infinit and 2-3 gels.

Get better wheels and do more hill training.

Decided to go for socks so it took a bit longer, the feet thanked me though!

Not much, went as fast as I could've.

Didn't have my Garmin to judge pace or HR so just went totally off perceived effort. At the start I was feeling more like last year (1:38 run) as opposed to Oliver (1:25 run) and I was worried. I really felt like I was going slow, but I was trying to maintain a pace I knew I could hold - again with no watch or anything. I had my gels (3 I think) and decided I should try some coke - which went over very well. Caught a few guys who I saw at the turn arounds that I didn't think I would catch - so that was a nice boost.

Not much, pretty happy with that time after the hard bike.

stretch, go in the lake and then up to the community centre to get a massage!


Bad training the week and a half prior to the event along with a sore knee from the weekend before.


Loved this race last year so decided to do it again to see if it was because I was on a high from it being my first HIM or if it really was that good....it really was THAT good!! I love this race and course. The best organization, the best volunteers and the best people!