This was 4 times longer than I've ever raced. Before this 450 was the longest. Wow is that a long ways.

I'm really a poor swimmer, I couldn't keep on course, and the swim just seemed to go on forever. I had anticipaed I'd be arround 36min based on what I do when training. I was 42 min probably I swam 20% more than I needed to. The crowds were not a problem, I had a lot of open water. At one point a banged heads with a swimmer going the other way ouch. I don't know whose falt it was. Given my off course swimming it was probably mine.

I'm really not prepared for racing this distance. I maybe raced for 400 yards, then I was just trying to finish. I don't know how to pace, or site or focus for that amount of time in the water.

I need much more experience racing this distance, and training for longer stuff.

It was fine, took a little extra time getting socks and shoes on.

nothing

This was my best leg, I felt good and kept a nice steady pace the whole way. My first race in aero bars proved to work well. The aero bottle was a good addition. I was able to eat one gel. I passed a lot, which is not difficult considering how far back in the swim I was.

Overall I was happy with my bike, I don't think I was too hard or too easy.

bring more water with me, I finished the aero bottle plus the one bottle I had with me and was still thirsty. There were drink tables, but they just had cups of water which would not have been worth slowing down for, no bottles.

I dismounted too soon, should have gone right to the edge of matts. had to run a bit longer than neccessary

This was a disaster.

Running is by far my strongest leg. I view the first 2 legs as transportation to get to the real race. I figured I would be capable of running 41-42. In a stand alone 10k I've never run slower than 39. The first mile was tough as it always is getting off the bike, 7:40 mile. I start to feel good 1-2 which is what I expected and am able to start rolling 7:10, I think I'll be able to build off that and get under 7 for the rest of the race.

At mile 3 some severe cramps in my torso, like I've never experienced start wreaking havoc with me and I'm forced to walk some, I've never walked in any race shorter than a marathon! Wow I can't figure out what is wrong. I focus and am in complete survival mode, some of the runners I flew past are catching me, and I don't care, I'm just counting down to the finish. Ouch OUch OUCH! My last 3 miles are 7:49,8:30, 10:30.

Not crash and burn.

I don't know.


I'm not sure what happend. I'm faster in training, during brick workouts of the same length over tougher courses! There are several possibilities I'm considering:

1) I haven't done any races 2-3 hours and my body is not prepared for the extended effort.
or
2) I was dehydrated, the body cramps maybe are a symptom? I could have drank another bottle on the bike, if I had brought it.
or
3) My preparation is not as good as I thought, and I should've stuck with sprints for another year.
or
4) I went too hard on the bike, and it ruined my run. I really don't think this is it.

Just for comparison in my last sprint I was 81/800 nearly top 10%, 6/66 in my age group top 10%. In this one I was 29/75 40% and 10/15 in age group bottom 1/3.