During my warm, noticed a strong current from the south and the course was set up north to south, meaning it would be factor. The start was good and I slipped into FOP, good sighting and rounded 1st buoy well. Then the turn into current! It was tough and I tried to draft as best I could. I caught some good feet for a while. We passed a lot of folks from the prior wave and there was traffic. I knew it was not as fast as I wanted to go, but decided to save energy for rest of race. Once we headed back towards beach, I spead up and increased pace. Good exit out of the water. My time was 3:00 slower than last year so either course was long or that current was as bad as I thought...

I was not pleased with time as much as I have worked on the swim this year. I could have gone faster in looking back and need to set priority. Drafting was good, just maybe find faster feet.

My Bike rack was the first one out of swim entrance. Great for T2, not for T1. Had to run with Bike through the whole transition area. still, it went well and I was pleased with the time. 26th overall in the race.

Not much, had everything lined up well.

Jumped onto the Bike out of T1 and had a little trouble getting into shoes. No bad though and quickly got into gear. Right from start you go over bridge. Geared up and stayed sitting. Maybe avergaged 16mph going up, but passed quite a few people. Then heading down got up to 30 mph. My heart rate was still high after tough swim so settled in around 22 mph with wind at my back. Picked it up to 23 or so after that. Heading into wind after turn-around I averaged 21.5 or 22. Maybe the new aero helmet makes me "slick"... On the 2nd loop I picked up the pace up to 24mph and then headed back towards bridge. Ageraged 15 this time and stayed seated. Flew on the way down @ 34 mph. A lot of riders were not staying right and had to go over the line to pass. Don't think they heard "on your left" with that much wind in their ears. I drank very little, but it was overcast and not very hot yet. Felt good going into T-2, but right knee hurt behind the joint and that was odd. Hoped it wouldn't slow the run.

Not much here. I still have not had that race where I go "all" out on the bike. I know in training I can hold better speed, always affraid of the run legs. That said, my time was 3:00+ better than last year's split on same course so felt good about it.

Coming into T2 you come up little hill then sharp left and boom, there is transition. I had to hustle to get feet out of shoes in time. I did and also had good dismount. My bike rack was first one on right so not far to go. Racked bike and quickly into shoes. Grabbed visor and race belt. Only think slowing me down is pace running through transition.

I guess work on that pace. I can't get helmet off or shoes on any faster. Just have to pick up the pace.

My legs were heavy off the bike and the knee pain didn't bother me fortunately. Going up the bridge the first time was tough. I knew I was slow and someone let me know it. A very fit woman who was cheering folks on told me I was holding back and I could go faster. I would have been hurt if I didn't know it was true! So that helped me pick it up. After 1st mile I had cramps on my side and was breathing heavy. It was not feeling good until after turnaround point. I saw two friends who were only about 1/4 mile behind and they looked quick! Being in same division I couldn't get caught from behind! I started to go faster. the last 1.5 miles were night and day. I felt great and held pretty solid pace. For first time I felt faster. I have been doing a lot of 3:00 intervals in training and knew that I could sprint hard last 3 minutes. Decided to wait till top of the bridge. Heading up, that same lady shouted out pump your arms. I NEVER train on hills so I decided to try it. Damn if it didn't at least make me think I was going faster up the bridge. Thanks Lady! Once at the top, I picked it up. Passing a lot of folks towards the end and I sprinted last 400 yards or so. My time would have been even worse without the push 2nd half of run.

As much as I HATE bricks, I have to get my legs used to it. Every race it takes me a good mile to get legs under me and my times suffer a great deal.

Grabbed a water and waited for friends to finish. Chatted it up and walked back to transition to pack up and wait for times to be posted.


Current on the swim and lack of bricks in training. Knee bothered me on the bike, but it was fastest leg of race for me.


My time was close to last year's, but with about 3 minutes added to the swim. This is where I lost time. Proud of Bike time and will take run split. Wish they would get course measured right. Who knows what I really did. Hard to compare to last year because of the different conditions as well as new run course. Nice warm up to HIM in November though. Local race for me so will be back next year.