This was my third Devil's Challenge Tri, but my swim 38 seconds slower than my time from 2008. I was first in my wave around the bouy, but got water in my goggles when doing dolphin dives because I didn't keep my chin down, so I closed my left eye for most of the swim. I tried to keep the swim at a comfortable pace, since I hadn't swam much the last month and didn't want to be exhausted before the bike.

Not take so much time off from swimming in training.

Much longer than I had expected. Long run around to bike-in entrance. Had a hard time getting my wetsuit off. Put on a biking vest to try to keep warm.

Bike felt pretty good, but my time wasn't as fast as I would have liked (was hoping for 50 min). I had done quite a bit of hill training, so I was thinking I would do better.

The weather sucked as it started raining during the bike and sleeting at one point, which was painful. It was definitely cool (upper 40's?). I put on full fingered bike gloves, which probably slowed me down at first while trying to get them on my wet hands, but I was glad I had them on. Got goosebumps and my feet were soaked towards the end. Got passed by 3 people, 2 of which I kept in sight. Went back and forth with one guy, who I later passed on the run.

Note to self: Putting gloves on wet hands while biking is not recommended. Was hard to do and very wobbly (could have crashed if anyone else was going by me at the time).

Longer than I thought it would be. My running shoes had puddles in them because I forgot to cover them. My fingers weren't working all that well because they were so cold.

Passed 3-4 people from my wave on the run. I had kind of forgotten about the hills on the run, and my legs were not all that happy to see them. Not as bad as the bike, but still noticeable. Had a good kick at the end. Happy to be under 20 min.

Grabbed water and grub then headed to the car to get warm.


Not swimming often enough and needing to do more hill work on my bike and run.


I love doing this race, even though the weather has sucked 2 of the 3 years I've done it. The hills are definitely challenging.