Started to the outside but towards the front. Not too much congestion and made the right decision to stay out of the fray. Goal was to quickly get into a comfortable pace, sight well, and swim within myself as I am not too fast a swimmer. Reached all goals with exception of sighting. Sighed well on about half of the buoys. The other half could of been better. Also, never found anybody to draft from; probably result of staying out of the fray. Overall, had an average swim but was very pleased with my breathing and ability to get into comfortable pace (although counter-productive when racing). Better time than an Olympic I did last year that was 0.2 mi shorter; likely due to better sighting as swim has not improved much since last year.

Put more time in the pool, do more drills, and whatever else is necessary to improve swim speed. Learn to draft better. Become as comfortable with swim as I am with run/bike so that I can push harder on race days and not simply try to get through the swim.

Was little dizzy coming out of the water but still managed to pass a couple people on the brief run to transition. Cap and goggles off easy and left in sleeve of wetsuit. No trouble getting top of wetsuit of prior to reaching transition. Had trouble getting wetsuit off the ankles and forgot to put helmet on while taking the wetsuit off. Took time to put socks on, but was happy with decision to put them on given race distance (I left socks rolled down so they were easy to put on but was 50/50 prior to race on whether I would wear them). Put shoes on prior to leaving transition. Had trouble putting Gu in side pockets of jersy. Had trouble getting on the bike and shoes clipped in. Actually slipped off pedals and almost narrowly avoided crushing the boys.

Get wetsuit off faster and helmet on at same time. Leave shoes on bike and get up to speed before putting on. Tape Gus to top tube so that I do not have to deal with them in transition. Practice transitions a little bit more.

Felt that my training prepared me and did not feel that I was on a course too hard for me. No problems with bottle exchanges. Did not like the Cerasport drink they provided and really wish they had Gatorade. Needed to drink more, but could not stomach the Cerasport. If I had taken something else at first aid station, even water, hydration would probably of been better

Felt like my level of effort was good. Pushed hard but not too hard such that run suffered. Need to train with salt tablets b/c I needed them given heat and humidity. Don't take a drink you don't train with.

Left shoes on bike and was able to get of shoes and feet on top without any problems. Found rack easily. Sunglasses off and visor on easily. For some reason put running belt on while in transition.

Pull laces on Zoot tight before race so I did not have to do it in transition. Put race belt on while running or prior to race and tucked under jersey.

Legs felt surprisingly decent from the start. Took it little easy for first 2 miles. Passed a lot of people which helped mentally. Hamstring seized up at mile 5.5. Stopped for a couple of seconds to stretch it and pushed through. Quads started to seize up at mile 9 and then calf's at mile 10. Pushed through both times and while it messed with me mentally, it really only effected last 5K where I had planned to empty the tank and push all out. Given various muscle cramps, I thought better of it and maintained pace through the end. Was still able to pass 5 people in last quarter mile. Grabbed 1-2 waters to drink at each aid station and dump an extra one on head to help keep cool; for this reason, glad I shoe to wear visor and no sunglasses.

Take in more salts and fluids on bike to help avoid muscle cramps on run.

Swimming ability and muscle cramps on run.


I absolutely loved this race. This was my first half and I could not be more pleased with the race - course, organization, support, location and spectator friendly made it easily my favorite race I have done. Was aiming for 5:45 time, and was ecstatic with 5:15 performance. Really enjoyed racing on same course on same day with some of the best pros in the sport. Will be there again next year.