First time in the open/elite division so I was a bit nervous to start this race as I wanted to show I belonged. Included in the elite wave was the 15-19, 20-24, 25-29 waves so it was pretty crowded.

Started off up front with a few guys I swim/compete with.

Horn sounded and we were off. Dave and I started off together but I turned it on and purposely moved out front as I wanted the lead for this race. Rounded the first buoy but quickly realized that I was off course as I could not see the next buoy and when I looked back no one was behind me. Saw the group off to my left and angled to meet them. Cost me a few seconds but I jumped out in front again.

Clear shot from there and I felt the best I ever had coming out of the swim. At no point did I push this yet I had a pretty decent lead coming into T1.

Site better coming around the first turn - but realistically this only cost me a few seconds.

Good T1, in/out quick, 8th fastest overall

Nothing

Out of transition and had the leader vehicle with me which was fun. Noticed my speed was not what I was expecting (low 21ish though HR was sky high (high 180's) but figured maybe I was going up a false flat.

At mile 3 I saw my friend, training partner Dave go by me. I knew I had a 25 or so second lead out of transition on Dave so I could not figure out why he was passing me. Tried to keep him in sight but by mile 6 he was out of site.

Reassessed the situation, realized I was only averaging 21 on a flat course and knew something had to be wrong with my bike. Opened the front break and just like that I was moving faster. By mile 10 I had a caught Dave again and from there, the two of us went back and forth the next 2 miles into transition. I was happy to be back in the lead but not excited as I new I had blown a lot of time. I expected to average 24ish on this course and place top 10 on the bike.

After the race I checked my back wheel and it was rubbing a lot too. Not sure when this happened as I had checked both wheels prior to the race. Crap.

Make sure my wheels are not rubbing and open up both breaks earlier in the race if I notice I am not going as fast as I think I should.

Good T1, 19th overall

Nothing

Came out of T2 right behind Dave, with another competitor just entering T2 as we were getting out.

Passed Dave about 200 yards out and had the leader bike with me. It was unbelievable to hear how many people say something nice as you are in the lead. I tried to say something positive back but was huffing and puffing as I did not want to get run down.

Around mile one, I looked over my shoulder and Dave was still right on my butt. Surged hard at this point to get away. Got to the turn around and saw that Dave had fallen off but another guy was coming hard and had a team USA jersey on with his name on it. At this point I started pressing hard and by mile 2 no one was in site. Saw Ally and she was having a great race. She was in 7th for the womans OA - go Ally!

Focused on form and by the last half mile, I knew I had it won as no one was in site. Cruised in, heard my name announced and was shocked to be the first person to cross the finish line.

Did not know it at the time, but should have pushed the run harder as I had more to give. Still a very nice time for me.

Walked around, talked with the other finishers, realized the race was also a college race which explained the team USA, Virginia Tech and other college race suits I saw.

They posted the results later and it turns out that 2 AG's had better times than I did so I ended up first elite/open but 3rd overall.


Wheels rubbing.


Really a perfect course, crystal clear lake, beautiful bike course through the woods and over multiple bridges, and pretty run course. The race is well run and the post race food was good.