My last swim in first race was not good, full of anxiety so I was starting with negative thoughts, especially since last race's water was perfectly flat and this race had medium surf. Didn't help I never even got in the water before hand... But I was really relaxed and took non-agressive angle to buoy. Also helped it was really small first wave of maybe 50 people. Did breathing every stroke which helped calm me down. But I think that may have also slowed me up. Swam next to a guy the whole time and really never had opportunity to draft. I was really happy with siting and never was off course like last race. Definate improvement over last race, but similar time? Anyway, learned a bunch. Surfed a few waves in and then there was 25 yards of thigh-high water to walk through with undertoe, short run to transition and did not push pace to get there, wanted to be fresh in transition and on Bike.

Really work on speed. Saved so much energy, but lost at least a few minutes with slower pace. Could have also warmed up first to get HR rate going...

For first time, the velcro strap on left foot was loose and out of its strap. Really had to fight with it while already out of transition and was coming up to big turn so decided oh well, it was not in the way or really slowing me down so left it. Did cost a few seconds gettign up to spped though and was passed by a few people... My time was 4th in AG so really not bad despite set back with shoe.

Check velcro straps next time! Want them loose but not out of the binding.

After flub in transition with shoes, got goign and kept pace around 20.5-21.5mph. Going down Bridge at 30+ was fun. No problems going up and stayed in the saddle. Then legs felt heavy rest of ride and I think I was just too worried about pushing it and saving for run. Fear was from last race where my first mile on run was aweful and HR way up there. So I took it steady and likely too steady. Really slowed down during second loop and should have pressed on. Next time will leave it out there as the first mile of run was still bad, but will get into that later... Dismount into T2 went well again... Think I have that down now.

Just push harder. I have same times in my training and no reason should have been that slow out there. Just too reserved and need to get more competitive. Although that was not the point of this "warm-up" race for me.

Time was 6th in age group and not far from the leaders time. As mentioned, good dismount off bike and rack placement. Took off sunglasses and helmet, put on shoes (need speed laces) although that did not slow me down. I find loose, pre-tied shoes, really do not hurt my times and just slip on. Grabbed my visor, glasses and race belt and I was off...

Maybe ran harder with bike to rack which was on far end of the transition entrence. I did take a sip of water at transition which I did not need to do, but all of 3 seconds.

I was hoping for fresh legs after taking it easy on Bike last 2+ miles. But... Like last race, the first .75 miles was SLOW. Too many people I cared to have pass me did. Just worked to get HR down and eventually it did. Started to pick it up after 1.5 miles and gained on a few runners who passed me earlier. Coming down the home stretch, I did not use same kick I had before. Could have easily cut 30 seconds off time with not much more effort. Finished rather fresh which was disapointing from competitive standpoint, but good from fitness standpoint.

If I am going to pay for a race, better go all out! Just get used to that first .50 - 1 mile being tough and run thorugh it. Then learn to pick it up last 1/2 and end strong...

Grabbed a bottle of water and sat on bench over ocean... Ate a banana and few grapes also. Talked to a few people, looked at race results and put bike in car and headed home by 9am.


Did not take this race as competitive race vs. warm up and practive run. Next time need to push ot. If I bonk last part of run so be it. Last two races I have left way too much in the tank. Especially on the Bike and early run.


I counted at least 4 water stations which was perfect. Did not drink much, but cold water over head was nice cool-down. Next time need to warm up and if committed to race, go all out. No need to hold back. Race was good, but smaller in size this year. Question the course choices. Why Federal Hwy vs. AIA along the beach? Maybe permit issues, but owe well. Had fun and race #2 behind me. Next stop, Miami Man 1/2 Iron 11/9/08!!! Much training to do from this point on...