Last in my AG and damn near last overall. Right from the start I just couldn't hang with anyone, we were just 2 different speeds. I eventually held the gap more steady so I must have gotten faster or they got slower. The next 2 waves caught me, at least I got a little more drafting. Besides my speed everything else went pretty well. I swam straight, rounded the buoys well and even drafted well when I could keep up.

Good thing there were two guys pulling us up because I might not have made it out of the lake otherwise, I was beat.

Train.

I was whipped. I almost fell running in, just couldn't get my balance. I walked a lot. I forgot my towel so I couldn't wipe my feet. Thought about trying to rinse them before rolling my socks on. I actually had to think, "Do we run or bike next?" I was feeling drunk.

I might have trotted a little with the bike, but I just got out of the way and took my time mounting. Even talked to Jason I think about just enjoying the day.

Train for the swim so I can hurry in T1. Remember to take my gel running in.

Starting out I had to refocus. Took my gel and got up to speed fine. Then this white SUV showed up and couldn't pass anyone. Cars and trucks backed up behind him. For awhile they'd pass and pull away, then I would catch up, then they got really stuck and I was literally just spinning my wheels. Luckily after turning off 49 this wasn't an issue.

I had given up on any kind of result, but I did tear it up when I could and held it together somewhat on all the freakn mountains, well they seemed like mountains to me.

Drank almost 20 oz of water and probably 8-12 oz of Gatorade. Took a gel half way. Dismount was perfect. I actually had to slow down running behind a guy carrying his bike with the disc wheel into T2. I felt really good, though somewhat tired.

If I had time goals for this race I probably should have been aggressive and squeezed past thosecars on the right.

Decided before the race that although I rack by the seat to get out quick, I would rack by the handle bars in T2 because the bike is more stable. Screwed it up hitting the aero bottle on the rack. Just a little trouble shifting gears to running. Did good grabbing the hat with race belt attached.

Better mental focus and switching gears.

Loved the run although it was tough. I was breathing too hard right from the start. Took a gel first thing. Stayed with a lady who turned out to be on the podium for the Athenas most of the way, I had room, but my legs just didn't want to pass. Drank less than a cup between the two aid stations, dumped the rest on me for cooling.

Came up on a guy with 36 on his calf and my oxygen deprived brain thought he was in my AG. I called out something like, "In all fairness, you're in my AG, so if you care, now isd the time to kick my butt." And I found a burst of energy and passed him and the lady I had been struggling to keep up with. I thought I was closer to the end and held a much better pace. Then I felt stupid when I realized he wasn't in my AG, but I tried to keep it up. I kept thinking I was at the end and kept accelerating. When I finally came out of the trees for the last 100 yards some friends of a guy behind me were yelling that he had me if he pushed, ad they were very right. He was 40+, but did try to respond, I just didn't have it up that hill. This is the 1st race that I can remember considering walking the finishing chute. I didn't, but I'm scared to see the picture. The volunteer was a bit concerned about me and probably for good reason. I was overheating, couldn't move, and was thinking about where to puke.

Maybe not accelerate so much so r from the finish.

I couldn't open the water bottle, once I finally got it, I kept pooring it on me. Got my own Gatorade, then a Coke.


Lack of training.


We made our own great post race activity. About 12 of us BTers met at Hog Heaven for a nice lunch and a great time getting to know each other in person.

The run is hard, but it is the highlight of this race.