Started off well, I was in the first wave and was in the front third of the group - started on the outside,so had very little contact. As we rounded the second buoy, the sun was low in the East, and directly in our eyes. A group of us sighted on the next buoy and took off. Half way there, I noticed a couple of people in front of me stop and turn to the left - I took a look in that direction and about 30 yards away is another buoy that we didn't see. The detour cost a couple of minutes and raised the heart rate some. Also, with the stop and turn, I felt the beginning of a cramp in my left hammy - did almost no kicking after that because I was scared of a full-blown cramp.

Should have counted the buoys before the race and noted that they were alternating between red and yellow. Should have also picked out landmarks on the shore to aim at because the buoys were hard to see with the sun glare on the water.

Always have trouble getting suit over ankles. This time I tried Tri-slide, which might have worked, but as I stood on the suit and tried to yank my left leg out, I got a cramp in my left calf - so I sat down and wrestled the suit off my feet. Passed about eight people at the start line with a flying mount.

Practice with the Tri-slide before the race.

Went extra hard on the bike because with the flat, straight course and a head wind, I knew the bigger stronger guys would have an advantage. Felt good and passed a lot of people - had one guy that was shamelessly drafting the heck out of me for about 6 miles - finally shook him at mile 9 with a short sprint and a couple of strategic snot rockets. Had a gel and 12oz of water with about 5 miles left.

Drink something earlier in the bike - may have helped the cramps I had in the run.

Good T2 - couldn't have done it much faster. Went past four people with the flying dismount.

Nothing

Going hard on the bike effected the run more than I thought it would. Calves cramped pretty bad the first couple hundred yards, also had trouble getting the Garmin into running mode because I had forgot to stop it at the end of the bike. Finally stopped for about 10 seconds and stretched the calves while I sorted out the Garmin. The short delay was worth it, the calves felt better and at about 800 yards I started to feel my legs. Ran negative splits, but they weren't as fast as I had hoped, the legs still seemed tight.

Remember to stop Garmin pulling into T2. Not sure what to do about calf cramps - have done lots of brick workouts and not had these kind of cramps for months. Thought I was plenty hydrated but maybe should have done more early in the bike given the extra intensity.

A little stretching


Leg cramps - threat of hamstring cramps on swim and calf cramps on the run.


Very well organized for first annual - enthusiastic volunteers and fans.