It was a pool swim and no warmups were allowed. Temp was likely around 65 degrees outside and it was quite chilly waiting for the swim to start. I was anxious about the water temp as it has been unseasonally cold here. Stuck my toe in while waiting and to my suprise the water temp was likely around 80 degrees. Must be heated and now I am kicking myself for not coming by and swimming this pool prior to the event. I run at the same park at least 3 times per week so there was really no excuse for not swimming here at least once other than I thought the water might be to cool to swim.

RELAX!!!

My first 400 meter technique was more drowning prevention than anything. Could not get any sort of pace. My 2 beat kick and long glide turned into a frantic 6 or 8 beat kick and I am not sure I ever glided. In the end I think this cost me some time. I typically workout at a 1:50 pace so this was pretty dissapointing overall.

I had this all planned out in my head but not having really practiced it I did not do as well as I had hoped. It was a long run from the pool to the transition so I am thinking that about a minute was used to get there.

Practice.

There was a biker about 15 minutes ahead of me that was struck by a drunk driver. That's right a drunk driver at 8 freaking AM in the morning. Ughh...It was at about the 6 mile mark and it took all of the wind out of my sails. I had been tightly tucked and riding my clip on aero bars but after that I just sort of forgot what I was doing. Spent the rest of the race up on the hoods and just sort of cruising rehashing the scene.

It was an out and back race so I got to pass by at both the 6 and 8 mile mark. Ughh...

Focus and stay in my aero position. I worked way to hard sitting up in the saddle fighting the wind.
I did not drink anything at all on the ride...WTF!

Forgot to take off my helmet which cost me a bit of time. Completely lost as to what I was supposed to do when I arrived in transition.

Next time play this step out in my head as I am closing in from the bike. I need to replay it several times so I don't seem like a keystone cop while I am there.

I left transition and as soon as I exited the park and onto the main road my calf cramped. I had to stop for about 2 minutes to work it out. A runner on coming back from the loop encouraged me to keep going and off I went. Thanks dude that encouraged me, no idea who you are but it helped. It worked itself out after I skipped for about 100 yards.

I am a very heavy sweater and I realized at that point that the only fluids I had all morning was from a half mug of coffee. I could not wait to get to the first water station at mile 1. I stopped and walked there while I gulped down 2 cups of water. On the way back I picked up 2 more cups of water and walked while I drank them.

Once I got those down I took off and felt great for the remainder. Turning into the park I got my second wind and don't honestly remember much other than a euphoric feeling of being fast and light. I picked up my pace a little and took off for the finish. My sister in law was at the finish and snapped a photo as I crossed. Thanks Erica.



Drink fluids in the morning of the race prior to it starting.

No time to warm down. I crossed the finish and was told the race was cancelled. We were instructed to quickly gather our things and clear out. No stretch, still no fluids and no warm-down. I paid for this as well.


Fatality on the course. Just really never got my head straight again after seeing that.


I only rated it average because I honestly have no idea how good it was. Nothing to compare it to for one thing, the other was there was no time to enjoy the moment as I was rushed from the park moments after finishing. I am not suggesting that the Organizers are at any type of fault but I had built it up to be a great day in my head and it turned into a nightmare.