Swam the first 100 yards or so with Suzie, then pulled away with a male relay swimmer, started catching the wave ahead at the first buoy...great. Tried not to swim over too many people (sorry if I did). Swim was definitely short (which is bad for me...good for most though).

Nothing

run up beach was good, passed a few guys at this point. Was able to get my suit off quickly and stuff everything into my bag without too many issues. I was the first female into transition and as I left, there was still no one there (ah...a good lead).

Not much

I felt really relaxed and comfortable and in control on the bike -could have kept going for hours at this pace. I figured I had a pretty good swim when Yokes passed my at about 6 miles in (he was in the wave 4 min ahead of mine). Was able to keep him in sight for the next 5 miles or so, then lost him on the climb. Kept the first 1/2 nice and easy since I knew about the hills. Felt strong and passed a number of guys on the hills, though a few would catch back up on the descents. Near the end of the climb I saw my official friend -he said hey -you're in 1st! Keep it up! After the turn onto Long Ridge I tried to keep near the center line to avoid potholes and gain as much speed as possible. Garmin maxed at 38 -not too bad. Kept getting that "you the best" song stuck in my head -a little mellow, but the words are a good confidence builder ;) Was thinking to myself...when is Suzie going to catch me? As I looked down at my watch and noticed I was going to go about 5 min faster on my bike split vs last year! Headed into T2 as the announcer said -here comes our first female. Typically this happens after the swim for me, but this was a first after the bike!
Nutrition: Planned to sip EFS every 5 minutes, which I did, but ended up feeling a little bloated by the end. Had 2 gulps of EFS liquid shot.
PB split on same course by approx 5 min (from last year)!

Figure out nutrition/hydration

I think I had a decent transition, need to practice the shoes off on the bike thing. I used to do this in races, but after a few clumsy moments now play it safe.

Shoe trick

I felt really good coming out of T2. Breathing/asthma were a non issue and I was really enjoying being outside and racing. Since I was still in first place I had a bike escort...how cool!!! The guy asked me my name and I said Megan Kelly, from Stamford, CT -he then repeated this into his radio and I could hear them announce it in T2. I then heard...here comes our second woman into T2. "Uh-oh" I said to my escort, I think that's my teammate Suzie, she is a much faster runner than me. I won't be leading for long! Then I saw Kristin go by on her bike into T2 and thought...don't think I have enough of a lead to fend her off either -though it would be close. Figured a pass at mile 5 (I was on the money).
Saw Jeff and Nicole who were ultimate cheerleaders for me today (especially Nicole -she was everywhere on the run). Got to the top of the first loop then headed back into downtown. Still no Suzie. Got all the way past the first turn around, still no Suzie. Got to mile 3.5 I hear "come on Megan stay with me" I respond with something to the effect of "Go get 'em Suzie! You're in 1st! I can't keep up with you" we keep conversing a bit then she runs into the distance.
Just before the top of the second loop I started feeling hot and a little sluggish but kept going...your almost there 1/3rd to go. At mile 4.5 ish I started to hit a wall (overheating) and had a constant urge to pee -I thought to myself hold it your almost done...but I don't think it was 100% effective.
By mile 5 I hear Kristin "Come on Megan" I yell back "Go Kristin -you're in 2nd, it's just Suzie up ahead".
At around mile 5.5 I really felt like walking...just keep going I can see the finish...North St, Hoyt, Spring, almost took a wrong turn (thank you Nicole for heading me in the right direction) then sprinted into transition to try to go under 2:27? I think the clocks were messed up though because my finish time was 2:19.22? PB run split in a triathlon by 3 minutes.

Figure out how not to overheat during races. I don't think this was a dehydration issue (see below). I think I still had a tri run PR.

Congratulated Suzie and Kristin then said, I need to sit down. Don't feel so good. After a few minutes of sitting, sipping water and Kristin and Nicole pouring water over my neck and wrists I proceeded to puke up about 2 liters of EFS drink. Yum. The EMS crew then sat me in a cooling chair for about 10 minutes.
As that was going on I guess they announced the overall winners -They said "in 3rd the pride of Stamford, Megan Kelly." Then someone told them I was in the med tent. Nicole was nice enough to stay with me and give me a ride home after the race (not in good shape to ride 4 miles uphill, home).
Felt much better about 1 hr after the race and at home. Upset that I didn't feel up to hanging out with people after the race, but as the paper said I felt a little woosy ;)


Need to figure out nutrition/cooling techniques. But, I had a PR by 12 minutes, so can't really complain.


Aid stations on run needed to be manned better. I was one of the few runners on the course at the beginning and I had trouble getting water.
Timing system failed -but this stuff just happens.

News article: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/localsports/ci_12709889