I started in the front, well positioned and ready for the horn to sound as we crowded the beach. I don't know if it was my nerves or cap over my ears or what, but I never heard the countdown or start. next thing I know it is mad dash to first buoy about 50 yards out. After maybe 10 seconds I was already off-line. Had to sight way to much in start, got caught in pack and had to go verticle a few times to round buoy. I told myself to calm down, get a nice stroke and breath. What seemed like minutes later, I finally settled in but was getting passed. Sighting was an issue as I had to break my stroke often and the sun was coming up blinding me every time I breathed on right side.

By the time I was headed towards the beach, it felt like an eternity had passed and as I got out of the water I did not look back, fearing how many people were NOT behind me... After looking at the times later on, I felt a little better, but still frustrated I could have done so much more. I only really used upper body with minimal kick. Perhaps ok for longer distance, but good kick could have saved me at least a minute here. Although, this is how I practice in preparation for 1/2 ironman come November so can't say I should have expected better.

Practice bi-lateral breathing (would have helped with sun), use kick more, practice sighting... Distance not an issue, speed real deamon.

WOW... I took a slow jog out of the water and my legs felt great (thy should have after no use!). Breathing was not labored and good job getting to my transition area. Took goggles and cap off on the way over to my bike. Helmet on, sunglasses on and grabbed the bike and started running towards mounting area. Certainly no expert of flying mount, but tried it anyway! I admit slowing down a bit to ensure my landing:) Shoes were already on bike so started pedaling right away. Got feet into the shoes well and was off knowing that I had ALOT of ground to make up.

I was a bit unstable when putting feet into shoes, but it was fortunatly not crowded and non-issue. Should practice jumping on the bike more and getting in aero sooner. Otherise was fastest transition in my division and good reason I was semi-competitive.

I knew I had to get going and average 21-22mph to at least end with decent swim/bike split, while leaving a little in the tank for the run. Averaged about 21 on the first loop and passed a lot of folks along the way. Not that I was super fast, just started swim in last wave and there were the BOP's all throughout the course. Nice confidence booster anyway. After first lap done, thought I would go at it for 2nd loop and back off last .5 mile or so to get ready for T2. However wind was still mental factor so I was doing 20.5 at that point. Made final turnaround and with 3.5 to go picked it up to 22mph. Felt like I redeamed my bad swim and made up some ground but would need solid run. Overall, I raced faster than any of my training rides and thought could have averaged maybe another .5-1mph more if had to do over.

Not much really. I have a long way to go before I am @ the 24-26mph pace the leaders race at and I was about 7 minutes behind top bike times. I drank 1/2 a bottle of gatorade and that seemed adequate as peak sun was still not out (yet)... All that said, 1st on bike in my division so happy with that result in 1st tri.

Had good dismount off the bike and felt good running with bike. I had good idea which row to head for as there was a trailor parked to the side as my landmark and it was short distance from dismount area, maybe 6-7 rows. I did manage to go down a row to soon and had to reverse and find my area. Bike on rack, helmet off, put running shoes on, grabbed sun glasses, visor and race belt and I was off. long(er) run to end of transition, but used time to put on gear and get situated.

Get speedlaces. I had forgotted to pick these up so night before I pre-tied my shoes and went with fit I could easily slip into without lacing. Worked OK, but looser fit than what I would have liked. Otherwise, 4-5 fastest time in division for T2 and was pretty pleased.

Out of T2 and man my legs were heavy and breathing labored. I have done a few bricks, but not at race pace which may have helped. I had to start slower than I wanted to get HR down and settle in. After .5 miles a kid no older than 9 or 10 passed me, very humbling. There were people along the side of the course stopping and working out cramps, I envied them at one point but knew I had to get going or else time would be horrific. Decided that I would keep good pace till turnaround point then start picking it up. At the turn, there was a great volunteer spraying folks with hose... That felt fantastic! Another .5 miles at good pace and then with mile left really started to pick it up. I was going to regret it later if I left anything in the tank after finishing. So I saw the last turn coming up and decided to ask my legs to find 5th gear. Started to pass a lot of folks and it felt good. Made the turn to finish line thinking ok another 100 yards and home free! Well, that 100 yards turned into 500 easy. By this point I felt potential embarrasment of being passed by runner(s) I just blew by due to my miscalculation. So I just sprinted fast as I could and was suprised I could hold the pace for as long as I did. My first mile had to be 9+ minutes so felt good in saving otherwise slower than expected time at the end.

Practice bricks and get HR and legs used to the initial, "shock & awe" of the run. Need to also practice drinking from a cup handed out at water stations as I guess I maybe got 25% in my mouth and the rest down my race #. Felt good though:)

Kidding? I got away from the finish line and just put my hands on my knees for a while to catch breath and work out bad cramp in rib cage. Then two friends came over, one with video camera. I do not even want to see what that looks like and tolk him interview over! First thing I mentioned was "Did you see that aweful swim?". They said I came out of water MOP and not that bad. Then I started to think that maybe I actually did ok. Walk over to leaderboard (man they print results out fast!) and saw that I was top of my division!!! Therefore, would stick around for awards:)


Will be excited to train for sprint next year and see if that helps with times vs. endurance work. Also will get better sleep leading in and have better diet as well. That plus new wheels for the bike and maybe aero helmet and I will say all excuses are off the table:) That said, just need to train harder at times and get "uncomfortable" to simulate the bike/run transition.


1st Tri, what else can I say? My goal was 1:20:00 after looking at prior year's results and although conditions were likely better this year, I beat my goal. Won my division of 1st timers and was really pleased knowing there were areas I really could have done better in. Anyway, 1st race behind me and I am looking forward to 2 more races this season...