ok-whose idea is it to take 2 small white bouys that barely make it above the water and make that the turnaround. Very difficult to sight..
Also difficult to sight on the way back were to target for entering the beach. And the course had to have been short...no complaints there...but the time just aint right.

warm up more if possible.

i thought i was slower in transition. Saw the kids as i was getting out of the water and made sure i waved and hollered back at them. Probably had a little more to give in the swim. Mostly had trouble getting socks on more than anything else.

Practice drying my feet? You would think that its not so hard.

This was the most interesting part of the race. Took a while for legs to loosen up. Initially right glut was killing me. My goal was 18mph. The rolling hills were annoying at first...my sportdrink was way to sweet and warm...and i was wishing i had more water. Was getting passed a bit early on....Then about half way...felt much better...started building things a bit. Took a gel just before the hr mark...and then kicked it in.. I was on top of the fricking world for about 20 minutes. My pace before that was about 17. Last 20 minutes, must have been flying since i finished at 18.5. Got hung up behind a car for a while that couldnt get around a bike in front. It was a good confidence boost before the run which i have been dreading ever since hearing about the damm hill!

Figure out a way to get into the zone a little earlier.

Saw the kids again into the transition. Also on the way out. Called out to them. Things went ok here. Took some water...wished i had taken more.

This is the part i was most proud of. I cant believe i ran under 9min avg! Having never run before really april of this year it was awesome!!! I mean the hill sucked and sapped everything out of me..but I ran the fricking thing...all of it. I tried to pick up my pace at what i thought was the 3.5 mile mark, but all the "little" rolling hills just took everything out of me. Coming into the finish, my son was waiting and he ran with me through the finish line. Not sure how much of a no-no that was but i dont care. That moment will be with me forever.

Next year, bring water on the run. The aid stations seemed paced for apart and they were not always ready with water.

grabbed some h2o, sweated all over the kids. Hit the porta pottie...ate some bagels and fruit.


Drying feet..a hill named Frank, and a chevy pick up truck that blocked me for 1/2 a mile.


Only my second race and first olympic...but...compared to harborlights...less volunteers, less water, seemed less organized. Post race food for like a gazillion people was limited to one picnic table in a gazebo with a long line. But regardless...phenomenal weekened!! I achieved my goal of under 3hrs...the course was actually beautiful (esp the bike), able to enjoy the tri and see and wave and scream back at the kids....and the weekend at the abbey went great. Kids had a blast in the pool!