I think I swam better than last year, but I was slower. Maybe I took it too easy, I caught myself turning my arms over too slowly several times, but I think the current did not help near as much as last year, the wind was pushing me left when I wanted to go right. Last year the current carried me through the turns ven while I was struggling and trying to rest, this year I was swimming strong, but not moving any faster than in a pool. I did notice one guy that went to the outside of a buoy most went to the inside of must have caught a current because he made up a lot in a very short time.

I tried something new on race day because it didn't occur to me. I had worn my tri top in practice and other races, but never in salt water. I think that's why I was chaffin my chest a little. It was here I noticed it wasn't zipped all the way.

This also includes a very long painful barefoot run to T1.

Hope for favorable current. ;) More swim training, I need better form. Body Glide and zip the tri top all the way.

I actually had a lot of trouble with that tiny swim cap, on and off were difficult, but I call it good because it was off by thetime I hit transition. I spent a fair amount of time rinsing my feet. I think its worth it not to have grass, sand, and pebbles in my soccks later. The rest went well, if not real speedy. I noticed the straps for my aero bottle were gone while I was running with the bike which was scary because I had just used half my other bottle on my feet, so if it fell off I was screwed. I don't like to take risk mounting, too many people to watch me fall, and I like to stay out of the way of people who are more concerned about their time.

I forgot to eat my gel running into T1 so I had to eat it on the way out with the bike.

Be faster? Eat the gel on the way into T1.

The night before I had to switch batteries in my bike computer, so I wasn't sure if spped and distance were accurate when I was rocking along at 22mph, I think it turned out close. If not for my slowness running with, mounting, and dimounting, I might have averaged 18.

Several road hazards slowed me down, or more accurately my fear of them slowed me down. The great on the bridge, the narrow one lanes, and the bumps and pot holes trying to take my water bottle. On Greenville Loop I hit some loose gravel as I approached to Police Officers and thought how hard they would laugh if I fell, then I noticed one was Billy (ilmpso3), he gave a quick wave as all I could manage was a quick head not while trying not to wipe out, I'm not good at looking behind me as it is from aero, much less on a sketchy road surface.

It seemed like there was always some headwind and I worried I was going to burn out my legs. I also had to take it extra easy on the turns for lack of practice lately.

Severe chaffing, I was pedaling bow legged some of the time.

I might need to raise my seat slightly and I definitely need body glide.

Still not fast, but deliberate and confident. I normally coast and stretch coming into T2, but skipped it this time. Dismounted slower than normal taking no chances. My pedal nailed the sloped curb running into transition.

Dismount quicker, run faster with the bike.

I wasn't sure I was going to make it. The chaffing was bad, quads were burning, and my calves were cramping. I slowed to a walk briefly, but decided I had nothing else this season, I could recover as log as I need, so I might as let it all hang out. I ate part of a pack of sport beans, drank very little at the water stops. Knowing the loop helped me accelerate as I got closer to the end.

At one water stop I try to throw my cup in the trash but the wind pushed it out, so I turned around and picked it up. What was i thinking? At that point I didn't feel I would be running when I crossed the finish line.

Not lose confidence early. And if I miss the trash can, don't go back for it.

Mostly walking, maybe a little jogging to go pee. :) Then I had torace Zack several times across a field.


Lack of training and lack of Body Glide.


I love this race! The point to point swim and the flat bike and run, plus knowing my way around is nice.

The bike is a bit rough and the crowd cuts both ways. Some times its great, adding energy, sometimes its just an unmanageable crowd.