I wanted to draft but everyone started really fast. I was losing ground and got passed a few times. After the first lap everyone slowed up a little and a line formed with me in it but near the back. Pace was still pretty good but I was holding back a bit then to stay off the feet in front. I passed a couple people and moved up in the line. About half way through, I couldn't seem to get by one guy in a length before having to pull back in behind him, but from there I kept running into his feet. The pace seemed to get slower from there on. The rest of the swim was very frustrating as I tried in vain to pass in the middle but they kept slowing up at each end.

I need to build some sprint power for passing.

Fairly long run from the pool out to the transition area parking lot. Steady and methodical, trying to make sure I got it all done right. I put socks on. It seemed to be warming up so I left the helmet liner and gloves, and added nothing extra over the tri top either. T1 & T2 are included in the bike time but I did hit my lap button leaving T1 and subtracted the swim for this time.

I really ought to practice this stuff.

T1 & T2 are included in the bike time, and I forgot the lap button coming into T2, so this time is estimated.

It was still a bit cool in spite of the sunshine but for this region a miracle occurred and there was very little wind so it wasn't uncomfortable. I just settled into a steady solid effort and paid attention to shifting for the grades to keep the power even. Had a gel at about the half way point. Sipped water throughout but sparingly.

One of the guys who beat me by just a few minutes last year was a minute or two ahead going out of T2. I passed him before we left town and hoped I could get enough of a lead, because he caught me on the run last year.

I haven't been getting the long outdoor miles in yet this spring but seemed to be comfortable staying in the aerobars. For the last couple of years, I've been pushing harder towards the end of the ride, maybe too hard. Today the effort felt like enough already and I just pedaled steadily right through to T2.

It might have helped to have more long rides before the race this spring. This ride felt pretty good though, so maybe it wouldn't have mattered.

T1 & T2 are included in the bike time so this time is estimated. Took a little more time than it should have since my hands were cold and I had trouble tying my shoe laces. I sat on the ground, and did a double knot too but they stayed tied. I saw one other guy stopping to retie his laces just out of T2.

Try the stretchy pre-tied laces and practice a bit.

It took a few minutes before my legs started working right. I didn't feel very strong on the run. Probably pushed a little hard on the bike, or just need more training. I didn't know how far back the guy I knew from last year was so I just kept the pace up as well as I could. I saw him a few hundred meters back from the turn-around. It was a bit of a cushion but I was still worried because I remembered how he ran me down last year. Going up the hill was grueling. I ran the whole hill though and I was still heaving for air when I got to the finish line. At that point I still wasn't sure if anyone else in our age group had been ahead or not.

Train more. It's getting better but someday I'd like to learn to run.

Not much for warm down. I ate a lot as I walked around chatting with people and saw a bunch of those I knew come in. Had to wait for the awards to find out for sure that I did actually get 1st in the AG.


For this race at least, it would help if I worked a little more on swimming sprint speed. If I had the speed at the start, I could have seeded myself a little faster too. Poor weather this spring has limited the long ride opportunities. My run still has lots of room for improvement as well.