Started strong, probably too strong. I have been concentrating on my pull during training and minimal kick. During my training any time I use a constant kick, I wear out quickly. I had planned to mimic my training plan during the swim, but that went out the window as soon as I hit the water. I felt good and thought I was at the buoy when I looked up to sight, but realized I was still probably 50m from bouy. This was my first WTH moment. I finished with a combination backstroke and sidestroke until I could put my feet down and then I walked.

Longer swim training.

Went well until I mounted the bike. I ride in my running shoes. Got to my rack, shirt on, helmet on, sunglasses on, wipe off feet, shoes on, unrack bike, run to mount line, attempt flying mount, foot slipped off front of pedal and I went flying. My wife caught the acrobatics on video, but it was fairly graceful and I was up and back on the bike in a flash, with no injury.

Practice, practice, practice. Not fall.

Uneventful bike, except for the fall out of transition. Passed a few people, but got chicked a lot. I was in the last wave of men, so there were lots of opportunities for me to get chicked. There was one hill that gave me some problems, but I was able to get up it and then use it on the way back in to make some passes.

More training.

Uneventful. Should have left my sunglasses in transition. I ended up running most of the run with them on my hat.

practice.

I started off running, but ended up run/walking the whole thing. Played leapfrog with a guy from my AG, but he left me at about the 2 mile mark. Unfortunately, I passed the ambulance that was tending to the woman who would later pass away. That was a little sobering.

More training.

Walked around, ate a little food, and drank tons of water. Stuck around for awards and giveaways.