I was person 16 to start (by estimated swim time) Not much drafting, a few guys made a big lead early on and it spread out quickly. I made some horrible lines, and swam a lot of extra, will be interesting to see the Garmin plot. The turn angles were odd, so getting back on target was a bit of a challenge, some turns were greater than 90 degrees.

I moved up quickly and then settled in at the front of the 2nd pack of people. I probably let up a bit too much in the middle section, and could have pushed harder on the final stretch to come in, but my lines were so bad that I could have hurt myself more by doing that.

The 1:38 non wetsuit pace was very welcomed, Fairly good run to the timing mat, I was out of the water in less than 8 minutes (goal time)

Work on sighting more often, especially when you can hardly see bubbles from swimmers ahead (which there were not many)

My shifters got bumped and the chain fell partially to the small ring not allowing me to backpedal and get the pedal where I wanted it to clip in.

Everything else went well.

Maybe start in the small ring?

Course was awesome, roads were eh in places, lots of patches make for a bumpy ride. 3 sets of rumble strips, took the first set of 3 head on, then started to avoid them, it is not quite like a vibrating massage chair.

I passed a few people on the climb out of the park and found myself at the back of 6 other riders. It took nearly 8 miles until a final stretch where I finally saw the leader and a small group of three other riders. I held on during the first 5 miles through some rough roads/hills, slowly making ground on the string of guys ahead of me. I passed a few between 5-7 and then played leap frog with a guy in my AG about 8 times. He would often get me on hills, but I made some big ground on the flats.

Wattage was low low low for what I wanted, 204 I think, but I ended with a 22.9 MPH average, I cannot even imagine what 240 would have gotten me. Bike split right in line with what I wanted.

Giving a Good average, due to results, not due to performance, I think I need to recalculate my LTP, 240 is beginning to seem like a fable right now.

HTFU

Something felt off with my fit, my seat looked angled way down (to the tune of 7 degrees negative which made me feel like my leg was not extending enough. I will look at it this week, although I felt very comfortable (no sliding forward etc, I wonder if this is why my power was a bit low?)

Funny, all ratings above are good, yet it was a bad transition. Why? Because I forgot my race belt, long skinny T2 and I was nearly out of the area before forgetting that my number was still hanging on the rack. I had to run back for it. This was easily 10 seconds, if not 15 additional that I should not have lost.

Mental fitness - don't make stupid mistakes.

I felt rough starting out, I did good taking in liquid on the bike, but it was hot out. The T2 blunder left me wanting more, but my legs would not get into the run. I felt clunky a majority of the run, and my 7:15 pace, felt like it should have been good for a 6:30 pace. I was struggling, mostly took water and used it for cooling my head/body, but it was steamy with no wind.

I know I can run faster, and mentally I tried, even the last stretch where I normally pick up the pace, I was struggling to get much below 7 minute miles. Chalk this one up to the heat and keep working on speed.

I don't know there is much that I could have done differently.

Stretched out, took in lots of liquids


My legs were working hard on the bike, quads let me know that. The run was limited by heat. I may need to tweak some workouts especially on the bike, need some longer hard efforts to sustain higher wattage.


First annual race, this will become a regular. Amazing organization, great cause, very well run, I would be shocked if it isn't double the size next year. The course was a blast, one of my favorite bike courses yet.