Per usual my heart rate spikes at the start of the race but I relax ar ound the 200 meter mark. The rest of the swim was uneventful as I maintained a good rhythm.

Last year my swim was 38:50, this year 36:31.

Warm up longer to avoid early heart rate spike.

T1 is tough at this race. The transition area is kinda muddy with rocks and the start of the bike is uphill.

Put on socks...more on that later.

There was a slight headwind this year that slowed me down a bit over last. Also, the sun came out at mile 10 and it got hot in a hurry. I started so late that I passed hundreds of people while being passed by only a few.

Wear socks...more on that later.

I was more than 2 minutes faster than last year. Most of that can be accounted for by skipping the porta potty. It was a last second decision and turned out to be a good one.

Put on socks...more on that later.

Coming off the bike, I had a chance to beat last years time. I felt great for the 1st 5 or 6 miles comfortably running at around 8:00 minute pace. Near the turnaround I felt blisters forming on the bottom of my left foot and heel. Of course, I was racing in flats WITH NO SOCKS! By mile 10 I had compounded the problem by pouring water on my head and running through misters. All these things made my shoes wet and the blisters worse. I put off looking at my heel because I knew it would be ugly and perhaps cause me to walk the last three miles, but tempatation tookover and I looked at my heel to see the entire back of my shoe covered in blood. By this time my pace had slowed to around 11 minute miles as I was forced into my duck run. I finally waddled in and couldn't wait to get those damn shoes off.

WEAR SOCKS.

Feet first-aid, water and free food.


Lack of socks


I had a great time doing this race again and may do it in 07 (no long races for me in 06).

Last year...5:14

This year...5:24.

I think had I not blistered, I had a great shot at beating last years time. Not doing so gives me a great excuse to do it again.