I submitted a time of 5:55 thinking I would slide ahead of all the racers with 6:00 times. Don't know what happened here, but I caught the swimmer in front of me in the first 2 laps! It was hard to pass without going head on into the swimmer coming up/down the other side of the lane. Finally got by at the turn. I ran up onto 2 others like this - even had to stop and do breastroke so I wouldn't climb up their backs. Bring on OW swims; this pool stuff sucks!

Maybe lie about my time to get ahead of those that lied about their times!

T1 - what can I say..the run from the pool to my bike was Xterra! We had to run from concrete, through mud/grass, through sharp stones, to asphalt. When I finally did get to my bike, I found myself chatting w/others about the pool swim.. duhhh Mark, this is a race! get going and stop talking!!!

No real problems here, just need to get faster putting on my shoes and shut my mouth!

It took about 200 yards before I got my shoes in the stupid CAGES! In all, 3 racers passed me and I passed 3. I followed a gal for most of the bike. I would catch up on the downhills, and she would stretch out her lead on the uphills. I finally passed her on the last downhill, which made me feel good! Well, this story wasn't over yet!!

I felt pretty good on the bike...just lost some valuable seconds on the start. According to my bike computer, we road longer than 12 miles...it was closer to 13, so my real pace was closer to normal.

Easy 1-2-3 here!

Nada

I knew after about 1/2 mile, this wasn't going to be my best run. I cramped up in my right calf, then biker gal blew by me! I remember saying something kind as she passed me, but I was really thinking how bad my legs felt and maybe I shouldn't have pushed past her in the bike.

Man, people were passing me like I was standing still! I struggled through the gravel paths and stumbled into the trails. I finally got my second wind on the trails and finished pretty strong in the last little bit.

Note to myself: Don't attempt 2 tris within 2 weeks of each other until you have put in some serious running miles!

Congrats with BT'er Jeff (jkbostic), and Paul and James - fellow tri club members. Grabbed some gatoraide, some good tacos, and some Krispy Kreme donuts! Ummmmmmmmm!! Chatted with fellow racers. Walked 1/4 mile back to truck, then back to the finish again.

Was surprised when they called my name for 2nd place in the Masters group! My first hardware! (well, not hardware exactly; the prize was a nylon bag with 2 of those foam beer can holders inside!) LOL!!!


Need more rest before events! I was lacking motivation at the start and endurance at the end.


Several things to note about this race:
1. Although this was the 8th Wake Forest tri, it was the first at Tanglewood. I think the organizers did a good job given that fact.
2. I still don't know if I swam 400 Yards or Meters??
3. Great support and traffic control!
4. I think the T-area was supposed to be closer to the pool in the grassy area, but due the heavy rains before the event, they moved it to the parking lot.
5. Funny, I don't FEEL like I'm in the Masters group!!! LOL!!