mass start in a tiny corral meant I didn’t get in the water for 30 seconds. I was about middle of the pack. Was quite a bit of contact on the way out to the first buoy. I got my first ever kick in the goggles. But I held my own. Got out the water for the first loop at 18:30! I don’t think I’ve ever swam 1k in 18minutes. Swam the second loop relatively strong, and got out of the water side by side with a teammate. Very happy with the swim

not much. Maybe start further ahead in the pack?

Short run out of water to the nice stripper then socks,shoes, armwarmers, sunglasses, race belt – out!

maybe learn to mount my bike better.

felt really strong here. Passed a few people early on the bike. Was really tight on the road with this many people leaving at the same time. There were a few times that I got passed by what felt like 10 people at a time. Hit the big hill close to the turnaround point and tried to spin my way up it. Hit the turnaround point, and then it was back down and up the hill. The rest of the bike felt like cruise control. We had a bit of wind out there, but it wasn’t too significant. I was moving on the bike. The last 20k or so, I was passing alot of people. I looked at my time, and I was getting a bit worried that I may have hit the bike to hard. I caught up to a few guys I knew were strong bikers and thought I may be in trouble on the run! Was nice to see all the support on the bike from the volunteers and spectators.

Not sure. if i took it easier could i have run better maybe?

boom!! Dismount volunteers took me to my rack. We had 2 different transition areas.
Shoes, visor, go run

nadda.

Is there where it was going to fall apart? I needed to run the ½ in about 2:40 to break 6 hrs! Unless my legs broke off, I was going to do this. Had planned on 3 gels on the run, 5k,10k 15k and then the rest I would go by feel. I came out of transition like a rocket, but then realized I can’t do that. Even though it felt great, I knew I would pay for it later on. So I slowed my pace to what felt comfortable.Got some light rain before I hit the turnaround, but I was feeling good. Wind in our face on the way back didn’t help. But after the turnaround is when I got to see most of my teammates. That totally kept me pushing. 4k from the finsh I saw 2 guys from the team. Thought maybe I could run them down. Umm no. But this guy asked me what time I had(dude didn’t have a watch? How do your race naked like that?) I told him and we both said if we can run these last 4k in under 25 minutes we could break 5:30?? 5:30 are you kidding me. So we pushed each other pretty good over those last few kms. Another teammate came running and I tried to run with her, but ya that wasn’t going to happen. For the first time in a race I dry-heaved. Yes me. If I had something in there it would have come out. I wasn’t feeling so hot, but damnit I was breaking 5:30. Came around the 2nd last corner and saw the team tent and everyone cheering- I couldn’t stop. Then my coach is standing on the corner yelling “ 6 hours??” And something else. I couldn’t hear. I was just praying that finish line was around the corner. And sure enough it was. I sprinted through it. I bent over as soon as I crossed. The finish line guy was trying to put the medal around my neck, and I really truly thought I was going to puke right there. I walked out of the finish area and went for a little walk by myself. I honestly did not know what to do. Or think. I broke 5:30. Damnit I broke 5:28 even. That wasn’t even a thought at the start of the day. My goal was 6 hrs. I spent a few minutes reflecting before I went to the tent and got some congrats and gave some congrats and watched other come in. What an inspiring day.

not one friggin' thing.

Got congrats. Gave congrats. drove home to the family an hour after.


My run still. But i nailed it today. My run didn't suffer due to my bike.


Will totally be back next year. great fast course. Lost of volunteers and the town really gets behind this race.