I decided to ease into the race. Everyone took off and it really didn't bother me one bit. I swam headup for about a 100 then found some open space and just swam easy.


About 300-400 in, the guys that had gone out too hard were now slowing down. No problem expect they all were swimming in a huge line. Sorry guys, coming through. I swam over them. Other than that, I didn't really have any swim contact.

About 500 left to go, my googles fogged up and I had to tread water for a second to clean them off to see.

Oh yeah, the floating debris kinda sucked ass.

Wet suit strippers rock.

Coach said to average 188 - 197 watts. I averaged 195. I'd say that is dead nuts on.

Took it kinda easy for the first 15 miles. My PT said 180ish watts at that point and I decided it was time to go. From there until the end, I tried to maintain 200 to 210 watts. I kept it in the big chain ring the whole time.

At 28 miles, I had 1:16 on the clock. I was thinking grand thoughts of a Clearwater spot at that point. Felt good.

Made a mistake of taking some water at the first aid station. My stomach didn't like the water for some reason.

Nutrition wise, I was doing 230 cal/hr of Infinit and doing fine.

Headwind last 15 miles was not fun. With about 10 miles to go, I got into a pack and had a decision, hammer and mix it up or drop back and race my race. I dropped back.

I got a little confused as to where the run out was. Luckily, Jess (neighbor who was doing a relay) saw me and pointed which way was out.

Coming out of T2, Kraig caught me (or repassed me as it were). I made the decision to stay on his heals. At one point were were going 7:30 pace which I knew was too fast but my legs felt good even though I was breathing a little hard.

Stopped to pee at mile 3 but still had Kraig in my sights. I knew I was not going to make up the difference in 1 block so I resolved to close the gap slowly.

Running past the family and friends corner was awesome. Ninja yelled 3:45. 8 miles to go in 1:15 to break 5:00. I started doing to math in my head.

I finally caught Kraig at mile 7ish. I just want to give major props to Kraig. There is no way my run would have been what it was without him on the course. I would not have pushed sub 8:00s the first few miles if I weren't keeping up with him. I owe part of this PR to him.

I asked a few folks in the crowd what 7 times 8 was. No one knew. At mile 7, we merged in with the folks just getting off the bike. Rell and Balmes both passed me. They looked fresh. I felt like death. Stomach was cramping and legs felt like lead. I had gotten off my nutrition plan (which was 1 gel every 3 miles).

At that point, I had 4 miles left and it was time to suck it up and get it done. With every mile I was doing the math. About every 1/4 mile, I was forced to a walk. I felt like I could puke at any minute.

When I passed Fun Killer for the second time, she yelled "4:47". I put up 1 finger telling her that I had 1 mile left. She took it was "You're number 1". I turned the corner and am at a run/walk. I slam a gel and water. Anything to try to calm the stomach.

I'm looking at my watch every minute. I run until my stomach can't take it. I walk a few steps and start running again.

Finally, I can see the turn to the finish line and I start running. It's funny how your body reacts to seeing the finish line.

I cross the line with both arms up. I have broken the sub-2:00 mark for the run and my first sub-5:00 HIM is in the books.


7:53
7:39
8:08
7:51
8:19
8:09
8:09
8:25
8:43
9:31
9:07
10:03
10:32

Stick to run nutrition plan.

Found Tiger and did my post-race interview.

Found family and friends and just veg'd, enjoying my accomplishment and the suffering I put my body through.


Great race, even for a 1st time event.

Swim was awesome. Bike course was very fair (maybe packed in later waves but off the front it was not too bad).

The run course was probably the most spectator friendly run course I have seen. I loved it.