Upon jumping into the water, knew it was going to be a rough day. Water felt like a hot tub. There was a gentle current that kept pulling me downstream. First 200 yds was great: good breathing, no worries, no stress. Rest of the swim was usual, inefficient thrashing.

focus on swimming in the off-season.

Decent T1 given that my rack was at the far end of the swim-in. Had put body glide on the heels prior to swim and that helped with getting feet into shoes on the bike during the ramp up. Fumbled with my helmet a little bit which cost some time.

was fine with this effort.

had practiced this course on the Computrainer multiple times so was familiar with where to shift into high gear and where to ease up. For some reason just never really found my legs on this ride. Was nowhere near my training times on the CT.

Ride the course more than once a week.

Very good T2 for me. No problems.

Nothing.

Wheels really fell off here. Just wilted in the heat like a stick of butter. Couldn't get my legs to go any faster. Hills were a killer. Ran with 2-bottle Fuel Belt and ran out of drink at mile 4. At mile 5 was passed by a guy with a '45' on his calf and I pushed really hard to pass him and stay in front. Was fearful that I was so far back, and envisioned that the guy in front of me had just put me in last place. Put everything I had into the last mile. Paid for it dearly (and am still paying for it now, almost 4 days later)

find a way to train in the heat.

Crossed finish line and went directly to med-tent; collapsed on the floor. They picked me up and placed me on a cot where I drank as much water/Gatorade as I could. Promptly threw it up on the medical attendant. Was cramping severely, couldn't move anything without feeling like knives were cutting into me. Then got really, really cold. Medical staff was great. Took care of me until I could walk again. Went to results station and saw my dismal performance and felt even worse. Collected last bike in the rack and walked the half-mile uphill to my car. That was a treat. Went back to hotel, collapsed into the bed and tried to sleep for while. Went to early dinner, then slept as much as possible and made the 12 hour drive home. One recommendation: do not go to races alone. Take someone with you. I really needed someone else to drive me home after that race. I hate to admit that, but it's true. 12 hours in the car after that experience was less than pleasant.


Would be able to make a lot of excuses: starting new job one month before race, sickness two weeks before, lower-back strain the week before, 11 hour car ride day before the race, not used to the heat, yada, yada, yada. Reality is that I just didn't put as much effort into my training for this race as I should have, and that I'm really just not that good. Only positive of the experience was that I left absolutely everything I had out on that course (or threw it up in the med tent). 'A' for effort, 'D' for performance.


Nationals is always a great show. Goody bag was not as good as in years past. Will probably not do this race again until I can either modify my expectations for myself or have the late-season motivation to train for it properly.