The start for this swim was a bit silly. This is the first time the race used a timing chip and they didn't know how to do an in-water start. So we lined up in the grass to the side of the pool for the start and had to run to our assigned lane when the gun went off. It was a little confusing as I ended up in the wrong lane, but once in the water everything was ok. I figured the person who belonged where I ended up found my assigned slot and jumped in ok, too. I ended up seeded along side the same guys I raced in this race last year. I was a little slower than last year, I think, but it wasn't worth going totally anaerobic for such a short swim in the pool. I swam a steady pace and tried to keep my HR low throughout the swim.

Focus on turns a little more and increase my stroke turnover.

My T1 is still slow since I insist on socks and cycling gloves, shirt and shades even at this shorter distance. Unfortunately a few slower swimmers passed me in T1 - but I caught them on the bike later on.

I suppose more T2 practice would help.

Slightly faster than last year's split. Early on I passed a few of the fish who aren't strong cyclists. Then I held my position 4th in my wave. I tried to catch the lead group of 3 cyclists but couldn't get them (turns out it was the same guys I couldn't catch LAST year!). I felt a bit tired, especially on the hills, but I held about a 19 mph pace - good for me. I got passed by one guy from wave 2 right as we entered T2.

More training would make a big difference.

Nothing much happened here. I think 1 or 2 people snuck by me here. I paused for 15 seconds to drink some gatorade, but otherwise moved right through.

Ran a good pace, but faded in the last mile. I did get passed by 1 person on the run (a 16 year old who had a great race!). I was close enough to a guy in front of me to make a move in the last half of the race but faded on the last uphill. Had to settle for 6th place in my wave.

This was my second time racing this event, so it was interesting to compare my time this year (1:17:30) to last year (1:16:30). I was a full minute slower than last year but, just as last year, I placed 3rd in my age group (yey hardware!) which is good, considering there was a larger field this year (240 vs 175) and the competition seemed to be a higher caliber this year. This race is local for me - 9 miles from my home - making it a nice way to spend Father's Day morning without much travel time.