This swim start was worse than my IM start. Arms and legs just a flappin and kicken everywhere. I start off on the outside and took off at a reasonable pace. I was really surprised at how hard people were going (it must be the first race of the season). It was a cluster@$#* until the first bouy, by the time I got 20 yds past the bouy there was no one. I think alot of people went out to hard and died by this time. Sighting was almost spot on, got caught in a log jam from the wave ahead of me but proceeded to duck and weave my way thru it. Remembered to swim farther up to shore this year and avoid the rocks I stepped on last year. 2 seconds faster than last year, not a big improvement but definitely moving in the right direction.

Go out a wee bit faster to avoid the clusterage at the beginning.

Felt a lot slower than this. Decided not to put arm warmers on and decided not to go naked either as previously discussed before the race. Would still like to try going sockless and with shoes on the bike but didn't want to do anything new on race day. Improved by 9 seconds.

Practice, Practice, Practice

My goal was to average over 21 mph - goal accomplished.

Keep up the hill training and build up overall volume.

Had to sit down ot put on shoes because hips locked up getting off bike otherwis good T2. 24 seconds faster than last year

Practice taking feet out of bike shoes before dismount, otherwise it was a pretty good transition for me.

Starting running and it felt like I was running on stumps. Couldn't feel my feet at all as they were quite frozen. Focused on fast feet turnover. Quads and hammies were tighter than they have ever been getting off the bike. Bike path was more conjested than Lomardi Ave. on a Sunday afternoon. Just focused on passing people, left, right, over, under, thru the ditch, however I could get by them. Reached the turnaround and picked the pace up, and gave what I had left the last 1/2 mile. Only got past by three people on the run (2 of them where barely old enough to have facial hair). There were Donkeys all over the bike course which ia always very cool. 15 second slower than last year.


Overall, I was not very happy with this run. My goal for this year is too push myself as hard as I can on the bike and run and see where my breaking point is instead of trying to pace the race. In order to do that I need to change my approach to the runs in the shorter races. I tend to start at a steady pace and pick up the pace at each mile or so thru the race. I need to push a harder pace out of T2 and then try to hang on.

Found Terri and the chitlins who were kind enough to brave the elements and jock strap. Got a bottle of water and proceeded to try to drink it while the cap was still on, duh, my son even called me out on the slick move. Cheered in lots of donks.

Stopped at Arby's for a little snackage with DJ, PJ, LunaJ, RJ, AJ, Terri and Holly.


Pushing myself to that last little bit (going to need to do that if I want to accomplish the last goal on my list this year)


So I took 2nd place in Clydes this year. As I was walking up to get my hardward, the Uecker section started yelling "step on a scale, step on a scale" Though it was quite humurous. The first place guy was smaller than me and got the same remarks. I did step on the scale when I got home - 202.5 lbs thank you very much.