This was a different start from last year's race. Instead of doing a wading start with waves, they lined us up on shore by race number and started us off a few seconds apart. On the go it was a run over the start mat and down to the water. I've never done a running start before so I just had to wing it. Everyone bunched up right away as folks tried to get to a good depth to start swimming. I was able to find a rhythm early and managed an okay swim. Still have trouble with navigation but I did much better with swimming in a crowd. I didn't let the kicks and bumps bother me too badly.

It's no secret that I suck at OWS. I also haven't been to the pool in well over a month. I was happy to come out of the water in one piece and with the same time as last year. Obviously, it would be ideal to get to the pool on a regular basis and some OWS practice couldn't hurt.

Longish run from the beach to bike. Then another longish run from rack to mount line. I had a heck of a time getting clipped in.

Rank 100/555 so it was an above average transition.

I'm a little bit disappointed with my pace on the bike. I was aiming to break 19 mph. Still - I did a good job of pushing myself and staying focused. Had a few scary moments speeding downhill in aero on the curvy roads. Need to work on those handling skills a bit!

I had a long clomping run in my bike shoes from the dismount to my rack. Then I fumbled getting out of bike shoes and into run shoes. And then I had to make a quick turn back to get my race belt. Not one of my better transitions.

Bring my brain into transition with me.

It seemed to take me forever to find my legs. It was a rough uphill at the start of the run. I tried to push but just couldn't get moving. By the time I hit the mile marker I was starting to get into a better groove but by then it was already too late. All I could do was push thru to the finish and try to look good for the cameras. :P

I set myself a goal of beating last year's time and really wanted to come in under 1:10. I managed a 2.5 minute improvement over last year but just didn't have enough to break my time goal. I have plenty of things to improve upon and will keep on working to make next year even faster.