Someone else must have missed our wave because I wasn't last (and his other times were too good to be 20 minutes slower than me). I felt a little weird taking off between waves. I almost said something to Bill Scott as I went by but he started announcing so I just swam out figuring they would see my cap color and not call me out. I heard later that they would have let me start with the next wave and adjust my chip start, but they wouldn't do that in past years.

The current was more left to right, when I finally picked up some speed I headed qickly towards the boats and had to swim hard to get around them. My wetsuit was pulled up too high in an uncomfortable spot and it was also very tight in my chest. I can see why some people panic, I started to and certainly considered giving up. The problem is when you need to come up and catch your breat, that's the position that it is the tightest. So you can't get enough breath swimming or not. I rolled on my back and was able to relax and breath pretty well.

I decided I would enjoy the rest of my race anyway. Even struggling it's a very nice swim. Interestingly, the late start would not have made any difference in my age group standings. I started 2 minutes late and I was 3 minutes behind the guy ahead of me in age group.

Get there earlier, skip the wetsuit if I don't have time to put it on and get it adjusted. More swim training and I still need to learn proper technique.

Had a gel on my way into transition. I already knew my overall time was screwed and I needed to recover and get my head on straight for the rest. I was running past my bike, but Christine was there and called me back, so I was able to talk to her about how it was going. My goals were for the bike and run so I could still make those. As I ran with the bike my helmet wasn't fitting right so I had to stop to adjust it.

This long transition made the rest of my race possible, so I wouldn't change a thing under these circumstances.

I don't know if I consider this goal met or not. If I adjust the distance back to 12 miles then I'm not quite at 18mph average, but I didn't change it for the other years.

I started out easy to try to loosen up my hamstring. Plus, I was stopping pedaling and lifting just off the saddle on Aralie Rd. Sand and wet spots made me nervouse turning so I took those easier than I would like. They also cone it off to a smaller lane to turn than I have in training. Maybe I shouldn't use so much of the road turning in training.

The last half was really great! I did a lot more passing than usual, not having to worry about the next hill crushing me right after the pass helped.

Go a little faster early. Turn more aggressively.

I was joking around about not wanting to run. I was comfortable but not rushing. I was really getting hungry at this point so I grabbed my extra Power Bar, a gel, and some sport beans. I really like having jersey pockets.

Maybe hurry, maybe not.

Woo hoo! I made my run goal! I learned a lot by reading last year's race report before this race. I felt like I wasn't going to make it at about the same place, I did not slow down for water breaks and made it in the trash cans, but I was not going to stop if I missed (I've been a volunteer now and they really don't think twice about pickin up all those cups).

I took the gel and hoped it would be enough, the Power Bar would have slowed me down, but it was a good security blanket. At the half way point I picked up the pace slightly with a little more confidence. Coming up on 2 miles I knew I had to be there in 18 to have a shot so I kind of raced to that point. A sip to drink and a cup for the head I pushed harder and was encouraging others not to anything back on the last mile. I hate when I finish, miss a goal, and realize I could have run harder. I almost threw up and was able to laugh about it and keep pushing.

The last half mile was really tough. I'm scared to see that picture, but I was pretty sure I had made my 27 minute goal.

Nothing, but I will continue to take a gel at the start and not slow down for water. I still get plenty even spilling a lot.

Remain standing, concentrate on standing up. Find a Coke and find the family.


Swim ability, lack of a good breakfast, and lack of time to get settled and prepared well.


Smooth out the roads and this would be the best race.