I started out hard (5:15 pace) not knowing that the trail section of the run was almost the entire run. I thought it was only a short section of trails. I also didn't plan on the run being so hilly. More than 100ft of climbing over the sand and rocks.

I should have looked at the course before the race. I should have started out slower. I really wanted to break that 20 minute 5k time. After I realized that the trail wasn't so short, I slowed way back.

T1 went ok. I need now to learn how to get on my bike and then get my shoes on. Even if it saves me 30 seconds in T1, it would be better and more efficient. I also got my helmet straps twisted somehow. But that's one of those things that just happen.

Start practicing T1 with bike shoes on my bike.

Went well, I just haven't trained on this type of terrain. Otherwise I think things went well.

Perhaps if I fueled just a little better and at better intervals before and during the race I would have been a bit faster or more efficient.

I am good to go when approaching T2; I got my feet out of my shoes and ran into T2. Matt3liv was cheering me on, so I felt that extra push to be smooth - Thanks Matt!

This went well. My last Du my feet had problems coming out of my bike shoes. So I feel good about this T2.

I did better pacing myself from the start of this run knowing what was ahead. This is how I should have ran my first 5k of this race. I was pretty sore and tired so at the second hill I actually had to jog pretty slow. I looked at my Garmin and realized I was at a 14min/mile pace and thought 'No way will I allow this to show up on my race report' So I picked up my pace to a 9. I took long strides going down hill.

I hit the down sides of the hills pretty fast and hard. The down side is that now my hips and knee's are sore. Being that I placed for this race, I can't say that I wouldn't do it again.

Easy/slow jog.


I haven't trained in these conditions... hills and 30+ winds with hard gusts.


This is definitely a hard race / weekend of events. I'd do it again with more friends. I also need to hit my legs more in the gym to build that strength up. Good times, I'll do it again.