it is always interesting swimming an openwater swim course when you can't see the course. I don't mean my usual vision issues. At the start of the race, there was a thick fog on the lake which blocked the swimmers from seeing any of the buoys. Good thing I am in the 4th wave and a slow swimmer - plenty of people splashing in the water in front of me to follow. All is going well until I head for home. I spot the dancing orange balloon on the dock and site on it. Then I notice that I am left of the bouys on the way in. DAMN! So I turn 90 degrees to get to the bouy to swim around it. While covering this distance, I start counting turn bouys in my head. I can only remember one, but I'm on the third leg of the triangle. Oh man, have I cut the corner? I finally decide that if I have, then a bunch a people did too, because I swam in a group for more than the first half of the swim. Found out afterward that the first turn bouy deflated during the swim. Whew

probably swim harder. At points I got out of the focus on form and did not reach at the top of the stroke, etc. That may help me get another minute or two. Overall, this is the fastest nonsalt water swim I've had. Almost 5 minutes faster than last year.

they really need a " are you kidding me" choice on the drop down menus
this was really too long a transition. Got the suit off ok, but had balance/head rush issues after I got it off, so I had to stand there a few seconds and get the equilibrium back before I put the shoes on. Really it was only 14 seconds longer than last year, so I guess that was not too bad.
Avg hr: 152 interesting. must have been the run up the hill to the transition area

not get dizzy/light headed. any suggestions?

did just what I wanted - didn't fry the legs. This offseason I will get my bike legs stronger, but given the machine I have, this is what I need to do right now. Pushed harder the first half, then the legs started to bark, so I backed off the second half. Overall a smart ride for me. About 1.5 minutes slower than last year, which is fine.

have stronger bike legs :)

not much to improve here. got 5 of the 14 seconds from T1 back here as compared to last year. Clipped out instead of getting feet out due to Pinehurst being the home of sandspurs. Probably the smart move
Avg hr: 141

nothing

Goal was sub 44 minutes, so didn't get there, but a good run none the less. "Spun" up the hills and ran down them. Probably could have started the kick earlier. Will have to remember that for next year. was so worried that I would lock up if I pushed any harder, but I probably had a little more in me looking at the heart rate and the non throw up factor. Would have really liked a port a potty at transition, but by the end of the race it was a non issue. Didn't drink on the course and I guess the body absorbed the excess liquid. It took a while and my recovery drink before I went to the bathroom. Only 2 people passed me on the course. I think they were Marines using this as their PT for the day :) I was 14:20 faster this year than last. That is about the difference in the 2 races.

push just a little harder the last half of the race. start kick earlier.

walked around transition to get recovery drink and find BT friends. stretched some. Rode 1/2 mile back to car.
Caught up with edde, Keyone, Love2tri, fgump and later jlhoward. Saw some friends from Goldsboro and Greenville as well. Did not find kapinto. Maybe at B2B.


bike fitness. the swim was about as good as I get right now, as was the bike. but i think the bike can be improved and keep the run where it is.


recommend this race to everyone. great location and a great course.