I did not even cross the start line for approx 20-30 sec because there were approx 160 people in my wave. I am not the fastest swimmer so I wanted to start near the back and outside. Horrible swim time and trouble breathing and getting into a rhythm for the first 250m.
I felt a little better in the 2nd 250m but still had to mix in a little breathestroke. Caught up to wave in front of me but wave behind us caught me too.
I felt really good in the last 250m though. Breathing and stroke were great until met cluster of people near exit stairs.

Maybe start middle of pack.

It's a huge transition area and it's very crowded. Probably a 250m run to get to my bike and then another 100m to exit. I planned on going down wave rows that started before me so it was less congested. Of course you have to run uphill too when entering transition.

Nothing really. Maybe run a little faster but was slightly winded from swim and run to transition. Not worry about grass on feet before putting on bike shoes...probably wasted 20-30 sec trying to get grass/dirt off of feet.

I was doing really well on the first half before the turn-around. I probably averaged 19-20mph. Maybe I went too hard or it was the head-wind but I really slowed down on the way back. I had a hard time with the hill right at the end (over the river).
I got boxed in a few times on the return trip from participants out for a casual Sunday ride. They were riding 3-4 across and did not move over quickly. At that width there is not any real option for passing since cars are driving by in the far lanes.

Need to train more on the bike! I averaged 20mph on a 11.5 mile course two weeks before this race so I know I can do it!

Overall not bad. I cut about 1 minute off of my time from last year here. It's still a big transition so it takes time to run to rack and then out.

Nothing really. Maybe ask people next to me not to throw their stuff on top of mine? Someone hung their wetsuit over my towel setup so my shoes were wet. GRRR

WOW! Last year I had the 2nd fastest run time out of 2300+ sprinters. I told everyone that they cannot expect me to repeat this again as most of my 5k times are in the low to mid 20s.
I was 2nd again this year out of 2285!!! Maybe I should have asked for a drug test to see if the volunteers spiked the water with something haha ;)
I know this course step-for-step because I train down here so I am sure that that helps some. I have never had 5k times under 22 minutes except twice and both times were at the Chicago Triathlon. I dunno?!
It was really hot and I knew it was going to get hotter so maybe I wanted to run really fast before the heat started? Or maybe I was trying to dry off my shoes because the person next to me in transition let their wetsuit drip all over my stuff :)


NOTHING!

The ice cold towels passed out at the end were a lifesaver! I walked around and drank a lot of water since I only had a little on the run. Ate a banana and stretched out and met up with wife and friends.


Not sure. I need to focus more training on swimming and biking. This was not my A race and it can be hard to PR since there are so many other racers.


For as many racers as there are this race is very well organized and run. There was plenty of aid stations on the run (at least for the sprint) and things started on time.