Boy, what a weird swim for me. The cold water was ok at first, then I went out a little fsst and up front, and could not breath well. There was a little wind driven chop, did not look like much, but I had to breath right side only on the first leg. Could not find any rythem in my stroke to the first bouy.

Found my stroke by the first turn and got in a grove. I was quickly interupted by bunching up around a few colegic swimmers from the wave before mine. After that, I kept driving my hands into the ribs of this guy who was faster than me, but could only zig zag directly in front of me. Wow, this is not a decent swim for me. Add to that the second leg was directly into the sun. I could not have seen a bouy if my life depended on it. Thank goodness for the kayakers doing a great job!!

Last leg, get passed by fast swimmers from the next two waves. I am so used to swimming in the last wave, that this rarely happens after the first 200 yds. I was getting discouraged and a little panic set in. This only got worse as my mind started to wander and remembered the shark sightings in MA a few weeks back. Kept seeing a "Jaws" comming up from below in my mind eye. This was reinforced when I heard a kayaker blowing relentlessly on a whistle for a reason I do not know. After a few minutes of this, I just started to relax and enjoy. What the heck, if it happend, it would make a great race report :)

Not sure I would chage a thing, other than the pink cap I was stuck wearing ;) I have not OWS in salt water for a long time. I have worked very hard at getting my stoke cleaned up to a certain point. Having a little swell and other distractions got me all out of sorts. My time was still very respctable overall, so I am not too bothered by this swim.

Not too bad a tranition overall, but not a peak performance one either. Exited the water, and started a little cramping in my thighs and hamms. Not normal for me....ever. Walked to the bike...ooops off by one row, oh well. Stuggled a tad with my shoes, no big deal, this was a fun race. Had to go out of transition on a hard packed dirt road, not something I normaly do. This was the beginning of a long day of watching the world go by. I felt like I was driving a backhoe at the Indy 500.

Was not planning on pushing, so it is all good.

First, let me start by saying, I will never think of ME as flat again!! I knew going in that this was a race to finish, and more importantly, enjoy the view. The landscape was awsome, truly Gods country. I had the chance to dice it up with a few people, mostly women as the men had already dropped me like yesterdays newspaper. The only guy to pass and get repassed by was dropping his chain and having to stop for repairs.

The down side of this course was the roads. Large sections were broken up. On the good side, it looked like repairs might be made before next years race.

I did stop for a rider who for what ever reason had a Chrissy Wellington moment.She was out of CO2. Turned around, dropped it off and headed back out. Only lost about two minutes. Never saw her again, so I am not sure if I just missed her when she passed, stayed behind me or DNFed. Oh well, tried to find her in tranision, but no luck.

On thing I did find out was that starting early and going slow give out lots of pace bootie ;) There were some very fit athletes on this course, both male and female. Must say I am still a triathlete first. I got passed by a very fast female and noticed her ride before her. :)

This course did take it's toll on me. Had to use the granny gear a number of times. Honestly, I almost feel like the relentless hills made this a tougher course than Mooseman. At least that race seemed to have some flat sections where as this race seemed to always be climbing or decending.

Ok, the obious, train. More important, not discount the hills of this course.

Just could have cared less to have a good transtion. Managed to have a respetfull one anyways.

NADA

Huge game plan working here. No real attept to run up any hills. I just wanted to not get hurt here. I think I ran more at Cranberry a month ago than the entire month in between races. Just had fun cheering on other racers an joking it up with the voulenteers. I think most of them were scratching there heads at me as I went by, and that is cool with me.

train, most importantly for hills.

I actualy came accross the line in one piece and running this time!! Had a huge smile on my face. Performance wise, this was a very poor time. Factoring in the lack of training and the tough terrain, I am very happy with my reslults. I tacticly planned on this race just like it was. I left my bike computer at home and my watch in tranisiton before the race started. I only wanted to go on percived effort so I could not have issues with pushing for a good time.


No Comment.


Beer tents make everything better!! Hung out for one beer, and hit the road to get to a wedding in the evening. Left enough in the tank for a few dances with my girl :) I think she was expecting me to be trashed, and that was what I wanted to prevent. I hope to do this race again, as I have unfinished buisness on this course. It kicked my asrse harder than I had expected, and I want to see what I can realy do on a tough course.