I struggle right from the beginning. I was quickly crowded and had some guy next to me that was thrashing wildly. I decided to pull back to simply get away from this guy. I found my way after the first while, but I certainly wasn't feeling fast. But, I was expecting a time in the 25:xx range so this was disappointing.

Pretty basic. You need to run up out of water through the beach. They have a wetsuit stripper and I'm off to the transition. A lens in my sunglasses popped off so I just left them there.

The heart rate was quite high to start so I had to settle myself and get into my rhythm. Once found I just started going. I tried to pace it and think I was pretty consistent. I may have been able to go harder. I'm still unsure how hard to really push on the bike. Could I have gone harder? I passed a lot of people on the bike, including several chicks that sure were hammering it. I was passed by just one guy,

For nutrition I had only water in my water bottle, plus 1 gel at halfway and another gel as I was finishing the bike.

Off the bike into transition. I didn't have my yanks laces so I had to tie my shoes...ugh...it's painfully slow. You lose at least 30s doing this.

Get those yanks!

Off the bike I paced myself. I felt I could really go, but wanted to pace a little better than I did in last years race. I really thought I had a good run. I pass another 8 guys/girls on the run, including the one guy who passed me on the bike.

I tried to run down a spot at the final shoot like last year, but came up a few seconds short. If only I had those yanks...

Well, I dunno.

I feel like I've been training and have had huge improvements in swimming and biking. So this swim is worse than mine from last year. My bike is less than 30s better. My run, which I thought might have taken a step back was better than last year by 20s. Not too bad there.

My goals going into the race was a top-10 finish and a sub 2:15, thinking I could swim 3m faster than I did and bike another minute or two faster. I did get my top-10 finish, but I still really wanted that 2:15.