Hung out in the water talking with the other BTers until the long course racers went off. We were 5 minutes after. Sighting into the sun to the first buoy sucked. A lot. I decided to wait about 5 seconds after everyone went before I left since I'm a little slower. I should've just gone out hard the first 50 yards instead. I got behind people that I couldn't get around. They were side by side and apparently drunk given their swim direction. I forgive them for the latter since I can relate. I finally saw an opening and forced my way between them until they broke up. Rounding the first buoy sucked, but at least there was no sun to deal with. But then I got conscious of where other swimmers were, thinking I was way off course. Seriously, there were swimmers 20 yards to my left and I was right in line with the next buoy. Found out later there were some folks that cut the corners on the buoys. My breathing was better than it was the first time I did this race, but I still struggled. It's the sighting part of it since I look up too often. I need to trust my line and sight less. I, along with others, felt like the last buoy was drifting away, but that could also just be my not being a strong swimmer and hoping I'd reach it sooner. Finally rounded it (slowly again) and made my way home.

Go out harder from the front and then just focus on my breathing, forgetting about everyone else around me. Also need to trust my line and not sight so often. It throws me out of rhythm and slows me down.

Had a good transition. Didn't fall on my way out of the water like last time so that was nice. Wetsuit came off easier since I pulled it down to my ankles and then just stepped on it with one foot and pulled the other out like a 5-year old getting out of his pants. This was the first time I used yankz in a race and I loved them. Ate a little time putting socks on, but my shoes were on in no time at all. Overall, I was about a minute and a half faster in this transition than I was the last time I did it.

Sockless?

Listened to Mark's advice and ran the first couple/few hundred yards easier than I normally would to let my HR recover. Picked up the pace, but not to full race pace because I was trying to decide if I wanted to go hard now or save it for FC. Just after the 2.5k turn around I decided I'd hit it harder on this run and see what I could do since I had the time before my next tri. Started running down a slight hill and saw Stacie ahead of me. I yelled for her to get going when I was about 25 yards behind her. She apparently heard me and tried to give me two thumbs up, but as I got closer I realized she was holding up different fingers instead. Hmmmmm. I'll bet she was just tired and forgot. :) Felt good on the turn around and saw Mark, Addam, Brett, and Ovetta on the run back in. Maintained my pace well and at times wondered if I was running fast enough because I wanted to go under 7 minute miles. Trusted my pace and gave it a final kick for the last 50 yards. Came in at 6:57/mile, which is a PR!

Start increasing my pace a little sooner and start my final kick a little sooner as well. I don't really like the surface that we run on. It's great because it's easy on my knees and body, but it's a little too gravelly for me and I never feel like I'm getting good footing. I think it's kind of a slow surface, but for this race that's fine. It's still fun.

Not much. Had some water, a couple oranges and endurolytes then talked with Shannon (swgtri) and waited and cheered for others to come in.


Getting into a rhythm while breathing and indecisiveness on the run as to how hard I wanted to hit it.


Second time doing this and had a great time at both. It's a quick, but hard effort, but is also a good excuse to get together with friends in the middle of the week. Echoing what everyone else already said, hanging out, eating food (from the Rocky Mountain Tri Club) and drinking beers listening to 80s music (courtesy of Wright) was a great time. Look forward to the series again next year.