Started too far forward because everyone was hanging way back. This was the worst I have ever been in the washing machine. I'm not fast but I'm confident so it wasn't too bad. The guys breast stroking in the first 200 are annoying, those kicks are dangerous. I kicked very little and worked hard to stay with the crowd to get some draft as long as possible.

Once I lost them a little after the 1st buoy and the rest of them half way I slowed down. The next wave caught me on the last turn.

Be faster.

The right leg of my wetsuit actually popped off unexpectedly. What I really had trouble with was stepping on it close enough to the end to hold it down while getting my foot out. I tried to put my helmet on while doing this, but the two motions are very different. Struggled with the bike shoes being tight.

At 5 miles I was only averaging 15mph. The turns, hills, wind, and cold wet skin really hurt me. Improved after that. 29' to the turn around, 21' back with better wind direction and warmer.

Taped 2 gels two my top tube (thanks fgump) and took one at about 20' total race time and the other near the end of the bike. I wonder if I could have gone harder.

Push harder? I think the conditions slowed me more than anything.

Coming down the steep hill I was a little more cautious jumping off, but at least I coasted all the way to the line this time. No issues, I should have been faster.

???

I'm really proud of my run. Started out okay keeping a quick turnover. I was dying, but I was moving. I was very close to walking up the hills. 1st mile was 9'.

Got passed a guy in my AG and talked a bit. I was trying to stir up some good natured competition. I held on until half way (the only time I took water) and he pulled away. I told him I wasn't giving up. Then another guy in our AG passed us both. 2nd mile was 8:30.

I turned it up a bit and started gaining on them. I passed one and struggled to catch the next. Buried myself and caught him on the last steep climb, right at the top. I worried I should have waited to pass, but he didn't respond at all. I checked over my shoulder a couple of times including in the chute and didn't see either. So I was thrilled I held off two guys that I think would have beaten me if I didn't see them.

There were 2 guys finishing ahead of me and I really didn't have much left. One was not my AG, I couldn't read the other, but he looked older so I didn't challenge them. Turns out I missed another spot in my AG by 2 seconds.

Chase down the last guy? Maybe, as it was I was looking for a place to puke, but didn't.

Training, especially swimming. Weather on the bike.


It's a very nice swim. The bike is fun if not suited to my strengths. The run is hard, but I'm came away feeling good about the challenge.

The hotdogs for everyone was nice. Defintiely a lot more welcoming than a lot of races.

Parking is difficult, though.