Felt great getting in the water after standing around for so long, although the last hour before flew by. Positioned out to the left where it was least crowded, had to pull past a few young guys that positioned themselves at the front and should not have. Wetsuit was very buoyant and I didnt have to tread very much waiting for the start. The first buoy came up nice and fast, but the second one which looked closer took forever to reach.

Went out too fast, but was happy I had open water. Keep practicing spotting so I stay on course and have minimal slow down next time. Wanted to break 15 minutes, but had hoped for a little faster. 13:52 was 1st in our division, so not bad at this point.

8th. Long run from water, over hill, and down hill, through the tennis courts. I think they said 400+m. Didn't push it through t1 since it was my first ever. Figured to be better safe than sorry. Kept thinking as I hobbled off in my bike shoes, what did I forget, that wasnt bad. No flying mount here, pictured some painful miscues in my mind, played it safe again. Took way to long to clip in.

1 minute off my group best times, 2 minutes off the top times. Next time I need to run a little harder, learn how to get the back of my shirt down quicker or bite the bullet and get a tri-specific shirt. Learn how to do a flying mount.

When I rode the course the past few weeks, I attacked the first hill and it kicked my booty, so I figured to save a little and cruise up it. Oh the burn, yes the burn, legs burning, and burning....wow, I need to ride a lot more miles. This was the beginning of watching some really fast cyclist. Remembered to stay right, never got any angry "on the lefts" towards me. Motioned a few guys by and got a thanks and even some encouragement from some fast guys. First lap I wanted to get accustom and the second lap I pushed a little and felt better than the first lap. I knew this was my weakest area but I wanted under 40 minutes and accomplished that but would have liked to be closer to 30. Need to get bike checked again, front derailer got jammed for a few miles, stuck in the big gear, lucky it was during flat/downhill.

Well, how to put this....umh.... ride fast. Trust myself and push from the beginning, it is a race after all. Need to believe that my run will be there after all the quad burning. Miles Miles Miles

8th, 30 seconds off group lead. Running with bike shoes on felt better than I had imagined. Seemed to keep pace and felt better in this one that t1. Legs didnt feel wobbly like I expected, remember to bike harder.

One last swig of water not needed, drink on the bike while moving. Learn a flying dismount.

Oh, the old man aches. Right knee and right heel feeling it right out of the gates. And the hill didnt help much, but kept on the heels of the guy in front of me and dealt with it. Guy in front of me started walking, meant to cheer him on but figured it might piss him off if I told him not to walk (I probably would have sounded angry at this point, ha). Got over the hill and through the tunnel (but grandmothers house is not here). This was a slow pace. I knew I had more speed in me, but I just couldn't kick it in like I used to be able to when I was 17. Saw JeepFleeb fly by going the other way, couldnt get my mind and mouth to work at same time so just looked at him funny (sorry man). Saw some really fast woman blow by me, but didnt see/notice anyone in my age group pass me up, so that was good. Saw the young kid that I had to squeeze by in the swim pass me up, should have manned up and ran with him. Then again, he was 15 and probably 130 lbs. After the turn around and under the road again, got passed by someone going a good pace so decided to at least try to mark them. He was about 25 yards in front of me and closed on him at the end. I caught him, since we had the same time, but I went by him. His name is on top, but I think they put it there since he was younger, ha.

Trust my running speed and turn it up sooner. Waited too long to start running instead of jogging. Remember it is a race not a training or fun run. Only 2 minutes off group leader, could have pulled that off if I had known I was actually close.

Walked around and found family. That was about it. I felt pretty good right after the race, but after getting home, darn, I should have waited in line for one of those massages.


Experience. Now I know what to expect, and I can push myself and trust that I can finish stronger.


No races to compare to. Seemed like with the number of people, could have had some more booths post race. Area was limited on space, so that might have been part of it. Only food I found was pizza and bananas. But don't get me wrong. Well organized, lots of volunteers everywhere and very safe intersections on the bike (police at all of them directing).