Good swim. I have been down on swim volume but still did well. I liked swimming without a wetsuit. There is a really large spread in the swim in this race because you eliminate the advantages of the wetsuit. Stronger swimmers gain more of a time benefit. This race uses colored swim caps for waves and I like that because I can tell when I am catching up to other waves or when the ladies start catching my skinny butt (there are some fast lady fishes - top women were posting 21-22 minute times sans wetsuit. No wonder they caught me - I only had a 4 minute headstart!)

nothing it was a good swim

transition is fairly large. I had issues with sand on my feet from the beach run. They dont have water basins to dip feet in after the swim. I tried to get as much sand off as possible but it was still all over my feet.

bring a community wash basin for my bike rack row

I always get discouraged on the bike. It just isnt my bag. The headwind for the first half wasnt too nice. I was pulling 17-19 into the wind, 19-21 on the crosswind and 21-24 on the tailwind. I didnt do bad compared to my performance in previous races here, just against everyone else (who cares about them anyway)

Other than train more?

Had issues getting my bike on the rack for some reason

My goal going in was to set a consistent pace. My last two races I had talked myself into walking drink stations. I told myself that wasnt going to happen this race. I felt good for the first three miles. I got some crampy twinges in my quads through mile five. Thought I might puke for no reason at mile 5 (didnt, just an overly aggressive burp). The best part of the day was about a quarter mile from the finish. I wasnt sprinting just keeping it even. Then a dude runs up next to me and says " keep it going, you can do it " and goes past me a little, I glance down and see "39" on his calf. AH HELL NO. I am not going to see a guy in my age group just stride infront of me. I pick up the pace and pull even. He then says " here we go " and takes off. I see blood and take off with him. We hit the long spectator shoot in asupreme sprint and the announcer and people start going nuts. I feel nothing and think nothing at this point. All I knew was that I was not going to lose by less than a second. I beat him out at the finish line (hopefully with a great finish photo - Come on Brightroom please tell me you got this one). We exchanged fist bumps and I had a painful smile on my face.

Get the sand off my feet and wear my new shoes (same model just newer pair) more than a week. Four Big Blisters Batman!

Laid on the ground the ate nice watermelon, grapes, oranges, licorice and beer. Whats that you say? Oh yes, beer.


I thought I had a good race


I PR'ed this course - dropping NINE minutes off my previous best at this course (a just 90 seconds off my best time ever at this distance). I had a good race at this venue

Pros - Beer truck ( I got "legged" at the truck - the guy they had pouring the beer asked to see my calf before serving me to check my age), very organized, catered Bravo lunch, awesome selection of fruit at the finsh line, lots of volunteers, flat course, great swimming lake, marked bike rack with assigned spaces, USAT officials patroling the course and nailing drafters

Although this race costs about 25$ more than most other Olympic distance races I think it is worth it (swag bag is a little light but that is just a small negative)