Swimming is my weakest out of the three. This is the third time I've done this race and this year I felt the most comfortable in the water. I didn't "panic" in the beginning. I developed a good rhythm, I stayed on course (I usually veer off course), and I finished feeling good.

Swim faster?

2006 - 34:13 (KathyG says the course was shorter then)
2007 - 33:51
2008 - 34:23

#@$%% wetsuit....

Last year I went too hard on the bike and paid for it on the run, so this year I made sure that I maintained a consistent pace that didn't feel like I was pushing too hard. The first 10 miles or so there were two 25-year-old women who continually would pass me up hills (they would hammer up the hills out of their saddles), ride double-breasted, and make it difficult to pass them on the flats and descents. It was causing problems for the guys in the wave behind us who were riding 21 mph, and making things unsafe... I finally shook them and found somebody to pace off of the rest of the race.

Scott was just ahead of me out of T2, walking off a side stitch... caught up with DK around mile 1, chatted for a bit, then continued on... saw Jam Jam around mile 2, walking off some dizzyness....
I plodded along, my quads and glutes were cramping up...

walked and talked


This is such a fun race, and it was great seeing all the bters. Sue up from Florida (with her awesome parents), Marmadaddy, Jam Jam and their cute daughters from Rochester, Kathy G and some of her family volunteering, Isis volunteering.... catching up with folks before Nick and I had to head back home.