Nothing.

As I said walking up the hill took a bit but the second part of that was when I exited the water I was quite warm but by the time I got to my bike I was freezing especially my hands. My stuff was all in the plastic bags and it took me forever to get ready. Buckling the Velcro took effort. I also screwed up my Garmin by being unprepared and wasn't in multi-sport. I did bring a pack of Cliff Blocks to the water with me and downed those on the way up to the transition space.

Better plan

I was warned how hilly it was. According to my Garmin I ascended 4500 ft. According to Map my ride it was 2100 ft. I do some very hilly courses at home that come up half of both these values. It was insane. There were two different hills that went to 21% grade making it four due to the double loops. My Garmin never hit that high before. There's one hill, again that you hit twice, where you got from 150ft elevation to 600ft in the course of a mile. The hills just kept coming.

Compounding this was the fact that I wasn't pushing the downhills as much before the roads were soaked and I was very fearful of dumping after my Saab incident. On a dryer day I believe I could have done at least another MPH easily. Given the conditions I was happy with the effort. My Garmin screen was so wet I couldn't read it most of the time on the bike. I was surprised to see my average heart rate was 158 and I peaked at 177. I was very cognizant of not over doing it but I guess on a course this hilly that's easier said than done. Not having the downhill speed I would have liked didn't help either. I finished my entire 24 ounce endurance drink on the bike.

Wear gloves.

I got off the bike and I knew my legs were pretty sore but even worse I had zero feeling in my feet and hands. My hands were so frozen I couldn't take off my cycling shoes and getting on the running shoes was worse. I couldn't tie my sneakers. I'd love to complain about the 2:45 by really I don't know that I could have done it faster everything considered.

Wear gloves

The first mile and the last mile of this run are pretty flat and I flew. The middle 4.5 were unbelievably hilly. There were two different hills that were over 50% grade according to the Garmin, another over 40%, two more over 30% and two more over 20%. I have no idea if that's accurate but my Garmin has never given me readings that high and my legs tell me it was that awful. Even if those values are half of what the Garmin said you get the idea.

The hills killed me. My quads were just screaming after all that elevation on the bike.I finished my 22 ounce endurance drink while running.

Train more big hills.

I had a Mix1 drink and a banana. We stopped for Starbucks and went to the Y and did a 20 minute whirlpool and 15 minute steam. I was finally warm. I did a lot of stretching while in both the WP and steam.


Rain on the bike. Being too cold in the transitions.


The staff was nice but they have a reputation for not having all the stats and missing the swim angered me. Additionally the post race food was awful.