Felt really relaxed at the start, hometown venue, but very murky water made sighting frequent.

Saw my two sons on the bank of the lake with a sign that read "GO PAPA JOHN" so I got pumped as we waved back and forth to each other.

Took an inside line, but in the back of pack; this cost me some time as I had to swim around people over the first part of the course.

Made the turn feeling strong - a quick glance at my watch and it was just under 5 mins, so not too bad a pace. Not very fast, but still good for me.

Start further up, maybe a bit more outside. Last 200 yds I abandoned my "slow is smooth, smooth is fast, slow is fast" mantra and probably should not have .... was breathing every stroke as I was trying to get into shoreline...

Great T1 after the run down the grassy hill. I helped a woman in front of me unzip her stuck zipped as we trucked into T1. Much better T1 time then last year @ this race (my first race ever) when I was rolling on the ground tugging at wetsuit for over 3 mins!

Started garmin after putting on my wrist. Ran out barefoot w bike to mounting area ... why does everyone stop right at the cone? move up a little.... jumped on bike, got shoes on (no sox) within a short time.

nothing. bike was in the correct gear... maybe get a bike mount for the garmin. at least i turned it on when I left transition before the start of the race so it was locked onto satellites.

Legs were feeling heavy and tired - could have done much better on the hills. Probably should not have ran 13 mi two days before but my HIM key workouts had to take precedence over this race with a HIM in two weeks.

Overall my bike cadence has improved since last year which I'm happy about.

Could have been stronger on the hills. Oh well.

Last half mile is downhill and I was ripping it .... took off shoes in advance of dismount area, and cruised in standing on one leg ready to jump off bike. Picked up bike and ran up curb to sidewalk/T1, running shoes, visor on and quickly exit a short uphill grassy run to street.

I flew thru this transition.

Started strong, but bad stomach cramp within first half mile. Belched a few times and felt like I was going to vomit. I never cramp like this ... too much lake water perhaps?

Could only manage 9:00mm pace with cramp, then it went away and I picked it up to a 7:30 mm, then 6:30, then 5:30 sprint the last quarter mile.

Very disappointed in the run - I was ready to put up a nice 22:00 or 23:00 run split but I cramped and that killed me. Still managed to gut it out and finish strong.

Kissed the family, and ran back out to find my buddy ... ran the last half mile with him, cheering him in ... he finished strong.


Cramps on the run ...


Excelllent race by RD Joe Patenella and Greenbrook Racing. LOVED the fact it is 15 mins from my house. Great to have the family there at a (somewhat) reasonable hour....race started at 8am, my wave was 8:09.

Overall I was able to try out swimming w HR strap, new sleeveless wetsuit, and practice transitions before my HIM race, so I am pleased. Also got a friend into tri's, and hung out with fellow members of Jersey Shore tri club - one was 4th OA !!