Started in the “first row” middle/left. Did a dolphin dive at the start and hammered it pretty good. Not much difficulty staying on line since I had swimmers tight on both sides of me. Really good swimming on the way out, just on the inside and on the back of two swimmers. I trusted their sighting ability and just hung on their inside. In fact, it was so good I swam right into an orange buoy about halfway out – not much of an issue, just ended up going under it and reassumed my position on their inside. At the left turn I lost my draftees so I sighted for myself. It got worse on my way in. I was sighting every 10 strokes and kept having to adjust left. This leg was taking forever! Started to feel a little tired on the way in, but not too bad. I was starting to pay a price for hiking my wetsuit up too high – the jewels were really screaming, and accordingly, I was doing very little kicking. Finally started to get a group together and was able to find a few set of feet just before the last left turn and on the final stretch.

I felt like I put in a solid swim and had a goal of under 34min. I was floored to see 1h 12min (37min for me) on the clock as I ran into transition! That’s like 4 min off what pace I felt like I did, so I assumed they started us late or something. Regardless of the time, I had the rest of my race to execute so I didn’t think about it any more. I strongly believe the course was long. Each time I do this race my swim time gets slower but my swim rank improves.

Since I was going to wear socks on the run I decided to wear them on the bike too and put my shoes on at the rack. I don’t think it cost me too much time. I just started this year doing “flying” mounts/dismounts and really prefer to run barefoot, but this wasn’t the time for that. Got the socks on quickly, had a bit of trouble stuffing my jersey pockets with my nutrition. Oh, and my garmin broke. I strap my 305 around my aero bar, and as I was running out I was adjusting the screen setting and the band broke. I was able to keep it “taped” on the bar for the bike.

Not much at all. This was pretty good.

Very high hr for the first 5 miles, which is nothing new coming off the swim/T1 for me. Got down into steady z2 by mile 10 and loaded up the cages at the first aid station. Did the first lap in 1:17:28 (ave hr 159, cad 91) and the second in 1:16:15 (ave hr 154, cad 89) – some of which is likely due to the grade on 51st. Anyway, I was surprised at the negative split, especially considering I felt terrible on the second lap. My arms, shoulders, and back were all starting to tighten up. I was moving around quite a bit on looking forward to each excuse to get out of aero to stretch everything out.
Nutrition: first loop took bottle of water and nearly a bottle of gae, 2 gu, half powerbar. Second loop finished the power bar, a gu, two slim jims, another bottle of water and ~ half bottle of gae. I was counting ounzes and calories the entire ride and felt like I kept up on nutrition/hydration nicely.
A few notes on the course: the new u-turn on 63rd sucks. People were unclipping and stopping – simply dangerous and annoying. I got some air while in the aero position coming off a speed bump coming into the res – that would have made a great pic!

Probably not much. If anything, take it easier.

OK. Starting running to the wrong row, but caught myself before I went too far out of my way

Pathetic. Plan was to go 1:40. wanted to start out pacing 7:45 for the first five miles. I didn’t feel good, but not terrible either. The first section is tougher than the second so I just wanted to get to the 5mm on pace. I was 7:57 pace at that point and feeling terrible (fatigue, tired, sore, tired). I slowed it down and took cola and water at each aide station. I picked up the pace each time I started feeling stronger, but what felt like 7:30 pace was really 8:30 – couldn’t believe my pacing.

good question

drank beer


Still in question. I don’t think I overdid it on the bike. My training has been trash (overstatement) the last couple months due to illness, work, & family. I did miss and/or cut short very key workouts. I knew what I was doing at the time and knew it would lower my changes to go sub-5, but life happens. However, I toed the line knowing I had a good chance to execute to my goals – and the weather was awesome! No excuses there. I’m frustrated, and motivated at the same time.