With only 3 waves and nearly 400 participants, I knew the swim start was going to be interesting. There were 150 in my wave and it was pretty chaotic to start. I struggled through the first 200 yards to the bouy. I hit a lot of people and they hit me as well. I sighted a lot to look for clear water to not find it.

Finally, I found some open water after the first turn but that start took a lot out of me. The next 200yds seemed to take forever as everytime I tried to locate the next bouy I was blinded by the sun. All they had was a little flag on top of a regular bouy for the boats and it was very difficult to find.

Both turns around the bouys seemed to go pretty well. I made the final turn and had open water. Just didn't have a lot of steam left to push it too much. I had no idea what my time was coming out of the water. I need to figure out a way to keep a running time throughout the race so I can monitor where I'm at.

Goal going in was to swim 11 min. That would have put me 4th in AG and 58th OA.

I thought I positioned myself well enough in my wave to avoid most of the people, but I guess I didn't. Swim more and put myself closer to the front of the wave.

I was 37th OA on this transition. I felt as though it went well and I was able to get my wetsuit off easier/quicker than last race. I put BodyGlide on my ankles - not sure if that helped or not but it came off so much easier.

I put my bike shoes on in transition which may have cost me a few more seconds there. I was able to get clipped in and up to speed much better than my other tri's this year. (I still haven't practiced them so I guess I was just lucky this time)

The course is flat and fast. Very smooth roads with some minor turns as it loops around the park. I knew I had to ride as fast as possible and wanted to average 24.5mph if possible and hit 31 min for the bike. Thankfully I had a set of clip-on aerobars from Gregg and I've never used them so much as I did in the race. I have very little experience with them, but I figured I needed to stay in them as much as possible to go fast. With the flat course there was no need to change gears so that helped.

The course looped back by the start/finish area where the spectators were cheering. I passed a number of people on the bike (that happens when you're so far behind coming out of the water). I went back and forth with one guy from Erie Tri Club. I finally put some time on him after the 10 mile mark.

Goal was 31 min for the bike segment. I was only :27 behind 1st in my AG with my time so I guess it wasn't too bad. 31' would have put me 15th OA in the race for the bike.

Can't say that I could have done much more on race day. Just need more quality bike training.

8th OA T2 time so I'm happy with that. I felt as though I was in and out in no time and my split showed that.

Not much

Took me awhile to get my running legs after the bike. I was really hoping to average close to 6 min miles and that didn't happen. I noticed one guy in front of me (who I believe won my AG) just take off on the run. There were two racers within reach - one guy and one woman. I took my time in working my way up to them and passed them together just shortly before the turnaround. He turned out to be 3rd in my AG and she ended up 2nd OA for the women.

The run was uneventful again. I kept trying to check my pace and push but just didn't do it. I was able to figure that I was 8th in my wave as I counted the runners that had passed me after the turnaround. I assumed that I was in good shape time/place wise and that was a bad assumption.

Saw Sam Jr and gave him a high-five on the run. Run ends on the multi-purpose trail and it winds through the park. I crossed the finish and immediately knew my time. It was the first time I had any idea where I was and I wasn't too thrilled with it.

Web results show 6:41/mile. BT shows 6:30/mile. My Garmin shows a 3.57 distance and 6:20/mile.

Run harder, focus and concentrate more.

I didn't do any sort of cool down. Congratulated Sam as he finished (he was in 2nd wave and beat me by :26...never again!) Talked to Mariann Kahle (another Bradfordian) about our respective races. She offered to pick up an award if I won one as I needed to head home.


Lots learned this triathlon season.

- Need to figure out nutrition before races. Basically non-existent now. It will become even more important as I up the distance to an Oly hopefully next summer.

- Need more swim endurance workouts. Arms burn on the swim and I come out of the water pretty gassed. If I expect to compete in an Oly, I need a stronger swim.

- Need better bike fitness with more quality workouts and intervals.

- Need to do more run intervals to build speed and increase turnover. The base is there and will continue to build.

- Need to practice T1. Out of wetsuit and onto the bike.

It's going to be a long winter thinking about this one. Perhaps that's just what I needed.