Last year I swam the same amount in about a minute more and panicked at lap 5 going hypoxic. This time I held my lane the whole time, never passing and never getting passed.

I'm gaining confidence in my swim, which is weird. My goggle filled up with water due to a poor seal but I carried on and didn't let it defeat me.

Seal goggle better, learn flip turns and learn how to use my kick! I reate the swim good for me but I could be much better with more lessons and work.

Because it was friggin cold once you exited the indoor poola nd went outside, I had to add a quick towel off, then put on a jacket. I actually tossed my jersey off too because it was soaked. All this added time to the normal cluster fack which is my T1.

Be brave and suck it up. I didn't NEED the jacket or the towel off, but it was nice. Also the toe covers slowed it down a bit as they make getting the shoes on a bit harder. No socks for either transition. I also fumbled with gloves trying to decide whether to use them. I ended up stashing them...

The blade was my friend today. I got passed 2x but caught him back 1x (eventual winner), but otherwise I owned it. I was playing it pretty conservative on the sharp turns at the ends due to my buddy Marty crashing there last year.

Pedal harder and faster. Get nastier.

T2 was fine. I am trying to bungee laces so I am not yet sure about how hard I can yank on them. Also I put my bike in front first and it wobbled so I had to set it right again.

Back in the bike and get more familiar with the laces.

I hauled azz the first half of the first lap. I was just pumped to be on my feet again. I mean like mid5 mile pace, then settled down and just kept clicking off the remaining folks ahead of me. Bad part was my shoelace came undone and I had to run with it like that the whole time.

I ain't stopping to tie my shoe unless its absolutely necessary.

Tie them mofo laces really good! Run even faster....

Packed up. Hung around waiting for Marty to finish and then hit the road when I saw they had no masters awards, just top 3 in m/f. I thought I had no chance at the podium with all the young turks they had there.

We went to go lick my ego wounds and shower, before getting some breakfast with my daughter and Marty and his wife Darlene. Thankfully, I gave my cell to a guy I met last year there and asked him to text me if I hit the podium. He did while I was entering the shower. I got 3rd overall!


The cold was a factor. I still can't swim like the FOP folks. My Cycling is more suited to longer stretches without turns.


Enjoyed this and good volunteer support. However, its far, cold, limited food after, and no schwag other than the tshirt. The bike course is a bit tight with lots of turns.

They had no age groups, clydes or masters and only the top 3 in male and female. Thankfully the phat got on the podium or I'd come away sore and empty handed (except that cotton t).