15 second count down, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.......GO, and we were off. First 200 meters performance was solid. It was about that time that I got a huge mouth full of water which caused me to switch from FS to BS for one stoke to get some air. After that, I tried to work into a rhythm, but I was having issues getting into rhythm. I just could not seem to find a comfort level in the water. I started working my kick, drafting, etc., but I was still breathing every stroke. I am much faster on a three stroke/breath count, but I could not get there for waterever reason. So, I tried to stay focus and keep moving forward. Finished up lap one, out around the tree, and back in for lap two.

Lap two was uneventful as everyone was spread out, but I was still able to find another swimmer and did my best to draft off of their hip.

Besides not finding a rhythm, I was still swimming straight, and my navigation was spot on. I would consider the limited drafting an improvement. Still, lots to work on with my swim.

I need to work on my swim more. I am a solid MOP swimmer, but I really need to work on becoming a FOMOP or BOFOP swimmer.

T1 time is included in the swim split, but I would guess it was around my normal 30 seconds.

Nothing

Exit T1, and mounted the bike. I was able to get both feet in before the first hill, climbed, and strapped in at the top. Started finding my rhythm on my exit of the park, and started to drop the hammer. For whatever reason my breathing was still very heavy from the swim, and I could not get it under control until I made the turn at the 4.5 mile marker. Still, within the first 4.5 miles I was sucking people in left and right.

After I made the turn I was able to get my breathing under control, and started pushing the pace. I passed people the entire back stretch. There was one major climb around mile marker 7.5 and again around mile 9. I would roll up to the hill, and have 3-4 people climbing ahead of me. By the time I reached the top, I would be on the rear wheel of the last person, which means I blew by all of them on the decent.

Climbed the final hill around the 9 mile marker, and then quickly found my way to the main drag. Another couple of miles, and back in the park. As I entered the park I saw AJ making the turn at the front (he was on the run already). Hammered to T2 to start the run.

I have more in the tank, and I just need to learn to unload some more.

T2 is included in the run split, I believe, since my bike split lines up with my bike's computer.

Nothing

Wheeled out of T2, and quickly passed a few people. After that I found myself in no-man's land and just tried to find my pace. When I reached the entrace to the parking lot as I headed out, I saw Derek wheeling in on the bike. I gave him a thumbs up as he passed, and headed to the front of the park. I was doing my best to close the gap between me and the front runners, but everyone seemed to be moving about the same speed so the gap was not closing fast enough.

I sat it down in cruise control, and just held on to that pace. I actually cheered on several people as I passed. Mainly in the parking lot as that had the only main climb on the course other than a few rollers. Several people were close to a walk on that climb, and I came back cheering them on and saying "come on, lets go" "great job you are at the top", etc. and I saw at least two different people pick it up and power to the top.

Odd part was that it was not until the final mile of the run that I found my rhythm on the run, and started powering to the finish.

Run faster, is that an option?

I grabbed some water, and waited for Derek and Scott to finish. Cheered them on, and then cheered others as they finished. Talk to several of the guys that had already finished, and ran into BT'er McQ (Darrel McHug took 3rd OA). McQ can move in the water, swim split of 22:18 is impressive and I believe was the second fastest of the day after T1.


I ended up taking 7th OA, 2nd AG
Derek took 23rd OA, and 2nd in Clydes
Scott took 35th OA
AJ took 1st OA
McQ took 3rd OA

Solid overall day. It was not the preformance that I wanted, but I will take it. The good news was that I had less than 24 hours before the next race, so I could give it another go on Sunday.