Very fast (too fast) halfway to first buoy; prob a 1:30 pace. Then I never could really 'catch' my breath; not sure why. First race of the year jitters and not enough confidence perhaps. I forced myself to stretch out my stroke at one point, but I don't think it lasted very long. Very tense the whole time. I sighted very well; taking a look every fourth stroke since I was breathing every second stroke on the right or left. One duma$$ was heading right of the course, and he was on my left so I had to pull up to let him go the wrong way across my bow. I probably pulled up a dozen times to side stroke a little to try and calm my breathing.

More time in the water training! Lots of excuses come to mind including the water temp, but it was all mental and not settling into a rhythm. I was hoping to breath every third stroke and then sight every sixth.

I had trouble getting into my bike shoes with wet feet. I unracked the bike and started to run through T.A. I forgot my gel and inflator, so I had to go back and get that. Probably cost me 30".

eh? Don't be a spaz.

very lax! I knew where to push it and hammer, but I didn't push the hills enough. I did get a calf cramp in my left leg early on so that was a concern for a little bit (not spinning like I've been training). My hands are sore today so I was definitely way too tense on the bike. Shoulders were probably up on my ears the whole time too. Turns and downhills were great. I was always passing someone on the downhill turns. Not many age groupers passed me, which was good. I had a gel at the 14 mi mark, and drank water every 10'. The heart rate was where I wanted it in terms of average, but the speed wasn't there.

eh? Attack the climbs a little more, but I didn't want the cramp to be an issue. Relax and spin.

Nice dismount where I passed two people who had stopped to get off the bike. I had my RT shoe unvelcroed and loosened before the tight turn into the park so as to leave my LT leg secured to get through the turn. After making the turn, I got out the RT shoe and then the LT. Legs were shaky running through TA so I was taking it a little slow. Rack, empty jersey pocket, socks and shoes on. Go.

It wasn't too bad. I used the run through TA to try and settle the HR, but I don't think it worked so I may as well run hard through it.

Same course as last year so I knew the deal. Not a bad pace for me (all things considered) after realizing the first mile was done in about 9'. I wanted to push the second half of the run, but that never materialized. The mental effort was not there. I got passed by five age groupers in the first two miles, which was a little demoralizing. Another was there on my heels during the last mile. I thought he took off, but he started to slow down about a half mile to go. I paced him; then decided to try something. I went ahead and got in front of him; figuring he would sprint by me at some point hopefully before the grassy area. And he did; he took the bait too soon. He went by pretty fast, but he slowed at the little grassy hill near transition. He was 50 yards ahead of me; I ran hard at the turn to finish to beat him by a second, so I had a little juice left; probably a lot.

More bricks after HARD rides. Run hard; it's only 3.1 miles. HR avg should have been 5-8 beats higher.

watermelon


mental fortitude and a little lapse in training due to ITBS and bursitis early in the year.