there were 3 waves and i was in the last one. the wave before mine had orange caps so spotting the buoys was impossible. it was raining out when we started so my goggles seemd x tra foggy so i did my best to just follow people. i tore out in the first 200m and lead my group with a few others. after rounding the first buoy people were all over the course. i have no clue how many people cut the course short but i know there were several. so after the 1st lap we were told to round 1 of 3 white buoys near the dock and then head out for lap 2. WTF? i swear they made this decision last second and this when people really starting cutting the course. the 2nd lap was uneventful other than swimming over a few folks treading water. i exitd the lake feeling good about my swim but had no idea were i ranked.

i should have worn a wetsuit like everyone else. i think i could have saved a min or 2 at least.

i sucked major azz here. the pavement was so rough up to t1 that i could barely run on it. mix in the cold air and it really hurt. i tried to put my socks on but they were already soaked from the rain. i then ran to the mount line but couldnt get my foot in one shoe. the shoe eventually came unclipped so i had to dismount and put it on before riding. did i mention out of t1 the bike starts up an incline. yeah, i almost feel over trying to start. brad miller watched the whole bike mount show and laugh as i went by.

swim with my bike shoes on.

i didnt fare to well here. i hadnt bike much recently so this course beat me up after 20min. i lost one spot to a guy i couldnt hand with (stephan lips) but otherwise i road by myself. the course was scary near the end b/c there is a long downhill next to traffic where you hit 40+ mph. the roads were wet at the time so i almost had a heart attack going down this one. by the time i got back to the park i couldnt wait to get off the bike.

more consistent bike training. and dont try to pass people going up hills. i tried this with mr lips and bonked for a few mins after as he rode away after the climb.

this one went really quick but i was pissed i had to run with wet socks.

i blazed the run and sucked up Mr Lips in the first 10min. After passing him i didnt think there was anyone else ahead of me. i did let up a bit but overall i was pushing a good pace. once i hit lap 2 there was no way to tell if others were ahead of me. i really thought this was my race to win and just cruised in. as i finished i asked if i was first and someone said another just finished about 2min ago. i thought he was in an earlier wave and i won but it turned out he was actually in my wave and i was 2nd.

nothing

the times are a close guess b/c the official times still are not posted but overall i know i lost by around 2min. i was really bummed i finished second, especially to a guy that i always beat. i think the no wetsuit and my horrible t1 cost me. had i saved time there i would have been close enough to see the other guy on the run and i could have ran him down. after seeing this guy's swim time and what he normally swims i think he cut the swim short. at this distance i tend to beat him by several mins and this time he beat me out of the water. i have to call BS on that. the main reason i was really pissed was b/s 1st place got a free pair of newton running shoes. i could have sold those babies and use the money to get 2 pair of brooks i like. damn!!!!!!!!!