Tried the garmin under the cap routine. Really didn't have my head in the game even 5 min out. I really expected a poor overall race. I was almost last into the water and swam across the start line to the right bouy and waited for the gun. Short time to wait and off. Not much drafting the whole way. No real contact until I began catching waves. That happened faster than I thought it would. Water level was low and at one point hit a rock formation with my hand, caught me off guard. Shortly after on the first leg I caught the stragglers of the first 35-39 wave (I was in the second). Two good rt turns and then the poor sighting began. I didn't see the far turn mark initially so I just started swimming in the general direction, too far right. At the 1200 point, give or take I finally sighted the bouy and corrected to course. Good turn to the finish and out of the water with a minor slip.

Look at how many (or few) intermediate markers there are and try to find them sooner. Oh and train the month leading up to the swim!

Out of the water I got the cap and garmin off but my goggles stayed on the top of my head. The family liked the look. Garmin out of the bag and on the wrist and magically it worked. Wanted to go as hard as possible without blowing up. Got to the rack, gear down on my bag, glasses on helmet on bike in hand and run. T area was dry and sandy so as I approached the mount area I stomped the feet to try to get as much off as possible. Ran past mount line stepped over and got the rt foot on the peddle. Not a flying mount but a good one still. no risk and no wasted effort. Slow getting into the shoes, on the bridge before the velcro was closed but a good T1.

They are getting good. Run quicker to the rack and to the mount line. hard to do with dry gravely conditions. 12th of 162 in age group so I am doing ok 21 sec from the fastest AG guy

Got up to speed slowly and put my head down. Goal was to be 21+ but had no idea what my average MPH was because of how the 405 is set up. Great watch with absolutely no multi sport love! I had it set for .5 mi splits so i could focus on the run. Hard to tell how I am doing with .5 mi lap data on the watch. So I just kept pushing when I saw it below 21 and kept pushing when it was up. passed by a dozen or so but passed a ton. by the third lap it was congested with a lot of illegal passing and drafting going on.

Hard to train when you are traveling. ride the bike more and work the hills!

Good dismount considering they were 3 wide at the line. worked a quick carry to get around the pack and into the area. Had a bobble getting the bike hung then helmet off socks then shoes on. Picked up race belt, hat and hand towel and worked it on while exiting. had to stop and adjust the rt shoe which cost me 5-10 sec. I think it was another good one 14th of 162 in age group and 29 sec behind the leader. Total transition time 4:13 and 10th of 162 in age group. fastest was 3:28 or only 45 sec faster

think thru the re-rack before doing it. Practice getting the shoes on cleanly

Got out of T2 grabbed 2 cups of water, one for me one for towel. Tried to keep a good turnover, attitude and pace, in that order. Shooting for 8:15ish for the run. I was also focusing on running the shortest line. If you were behind me you would have thought I was drunk because I took the straight line to a turn and the short line in the turn. I think it saved me time because the garmin never saw a full 6.2. Worst mile was from 4.5 to 5.5 at 8:56 took a gel at around 4.5 mi point. Should have gotten it into me at 2.5 or 3 if I was going to do it. Not sure I drank enough on the run but it is difficult to get it into my mouth, practice??? This is a PR for a 10K, not bad... Good focus for most of the run!

Try to drink more and stay cool. Hard when the temp is climbing

Walked around to find Stacey and the kids, got in line for a massage, drank 2 bottles of Pure Sport and 1 of water


Still heavier than I want. 2.5# lighter than last year but I want to get down into the mid 160's