The plan was to just take it easy here and conserve energy for the bike and run. I found a nice stroke rhythm and kept it. Bilateral breathing except for times when wakes/waves prevented getting good breaths. The wave action was very irregular and timing anything to them was impossible. Sighting was good I did find myself heading towards the wrong side of an intermediate buoy on the last leg - but, wasn't too far off before I corrected.

Maybe push a little harder. I came out of water very fresh and, if there was any place I could have probably gained some time in this race, it would have been here.

Socks On > (MTB) Shoes On > Head Sweat On > Glasses On > Helmet On > Grab Bike > Go. Overall, I thought this went pretty smoothly. The T1 time included a fair amount of running before entering the transition area - so, time reflects that.

Non-MTB Shoes. I can't wait for my Specialized TriVents to show up so I can start practicing with them.

Tough course. I was glad I pre-ran it the week before (knowing when the bike pain would end was half the battle....). My plan was to go hard until mile 16.5 and then gauge the rest of it (downhill) based on my assessment of my legs and my ability to run on them. Everything was feeling good - so, I managed to get quality effort in for the whole course. Two GUs on the bike as planned - one 45 min into the race, another at 1:30 into the race.

Not much. I was hoping for 18 to 20 mph average and hit just under 19. I do have aero goodies coming - so, I hope to see some speed increases there.

Crashed and burned on the dismount! I got a good sized strawberry on my left thigh / buttock to show for it... I almost did the same in another race because during my rolling dismount the foot remaining on the pedal was still clipped in when I set down the other foot to run. So, this race I made sure both feet were un-clipped before I swung my leg over the saddle. The unfortunate part was that my remaining foot clipped back in just as I was setting my other foot on the ground. Other than that, great transition.. Bike Shoes Off > Running Shoes On (Elastic Laces) > Helmet / Head Sweat Off > Gloves Off > Grab Number Belt and Hat > Go.

Again... Non-MTB Shoes. I can't wait for my Specialized TriVents to show up so I can start practicing with them.

I was hoping for 8:30 / mile average - so, I am more than pleased with my 8:00 / mile average - especially with the hills involved. The dirt hill before the pavement was downright cruel - I wasn't sure if my "running" speed up that hill was any faster than I could have done it walking. The temperature was hot and I easily poured more aid station water on me than I drank.

Nothing. I am pleased with my run performance. I did have a plan to eat a GU on the run - but, kept forgetting to do it before the aid stations came so I could wash it down.

Walk - Eat - Drink - Cheer Fellow Finishers


Nothing - I had a plan and stuck with it. I am happy with my performance given my current fitness, training time, and equipment.


It was a well run event with lots of nice volunteers.