wow. swim was interesting to say the least. Brutal. Watching the first few waves was eye opening. there were some athletes literally swimming in place--I was one of them. just not even moving at all.

when it was my turn to get in the water, I noticed the current immediately. If you didn't hang onto the dock, you would be carried away.

anyway, my plan was to take the swim easy, and not fight this too much. I knew my time was going to be slower, but when I looked at my watch and say 38:xx, all I could do was smile. It was odd. I wasn't mad, disappointed, nothing like that at all. I looked up, saw my wife, and smiled. Great picture, I'll try and post it below. I was expecting to come out between 24-26 minutes, so coming out at 38 was so shocking all I could do was laugh and smile.

Research swimming up stream I guess. not sure if technique changes or what, but the current effected everyone. The best time was 1:23/100, and there were some amazing athletes here.

OK T1. I was literally still thinking about the swim, and went into, "have some fun mode. Took my time, got my shoes on and got to the dismount line as quick as I could. trouble started and I couldn't clip in. nothing major, lost maybe 2-3 seconds here.

clip in.

hats of to Tuscaloosa. They shut down the parkway, which is a very major section of road on the Alabama campus.

My plan was to build into the bike and hammer away. I nailed it on my bike, and negative split the course.

something weird happened on the bike, my fingers started to cramp up, never happened to me. Could have been the heat, not sure what. I just drank more and took in a gel. I thought my body was gonna start cramping up, it never did though.

I really enjoyed the bike ride. I passed a few in my AG, didn't get passed by anyone in my AG I don't think. Handful of 40-44 and 35-39 passed me, which was expected.



not much really, maybe push the last quarter of the ride, but I nailed my goal for this.

good T2, nothing special, nothing bad.

my plan was to build in the bike and not bust my nut so I could run. It worked well. I felt a little tight coming off the bike, but by .5 mile in, I was warmed up.

My coach asked me last week if I was ready. My response was hell yes, and my plan was to not push anything too much and let the pain find me. Don't go out there running someone elses race and seek out the pain. The pain will come, and when it does, push through it. I always leave a little on the bike so I can have a strong run.

It worked well. It was a very hilly course and it was hot/humid. I felt good at mile 2-3, so I started to push harder. By mile 4-5, the pain started to come and it was what I expected. I had thought and planned 7:25/miles was right on target for me. So I ran 7:20-:22s and if I beat 7:25, it would be a huge victory for me.

I was at my goal at that 4-5 mile range, and I could let the pain win, and finish 7:25-7:30, and meet my expectations, or I could endure it and exceed them. Fall into the pain and push through it.

Its funny while you're out there, not in contention for anything but a t-shirt. Your fighting so much more than the pain. Its so easy to quit on yourself. For just one second. At this point all your running for is you and your family. There's no spot on Team USA waiting for you, no camera's, no interviews. Your pushing through the pain to beat a goal you set out for yourself. Period. The whole time you want to let up just a little, and there's little harm in doing it. You lose nothing. 7:27/mile and 7:21/mile, there's little difference.

But this is why we race. When faced with this decision; endure or slow down just an inch. Its this decision I love to meet head on.





nothing.

Sat under the water misters and big a$$ A/C fan. that was great. tried to eat some MO's, but that wants going down. walked around and just took it all in. I loved this race.

I thought to myself, I'm coming back next year for sure. I still feel that way as I type this.



the swim current, but we all swam in the same river, so not a big deal. the race just favored swimmers today.


where to start. This was top notch. USAT backpacks, tech Ts and hats at registration. a set of drinking glasses at the finish, water bottles. very organized. it was awesome.

I was so happy to be a part of this. I was smiling the whole day.