This was my first real swim test, for I was having breathing problems with all my other Tri's except for the last one. I figured out that I can't wear the real time Under Armor Compression tops. It was causing me to have problems breathing without even really moving. I'm glad I figured it out before this race. I thought this course would benefit me because I breathe out of my right side so I figured if I stayed to the far left I would be able to see everybody and know I was going in the right direction so I wouldn't have to site as much. The first 300 yards I was all over the place and couldn't calm my breathing down. I was still able to freestyle it but I was looking up more then I wanted too. Shortly after that I was somehow all the way over to the right and going along the buoy line (so much for my sighting plan). So I just made sure I could see at least one person to the right of me at all times. That seemed to help. As I was coming back to land I was actually passing people which made me feel pretty good. So far the best swim by far of any of my races, and a minute faster then my practice swim in the pool.

get better at siting and not having to look up all the time.

This race was about "Firsts" I have never had the opportunity for using a wetsuit stripper. I thought I would try it since I'll probably use it at LP in 2012. When I got to my spot I just felt out of place like I was trying to do too many things at once. I was just concentrating on making sure I didn't forget to bring anything.

I would have taped my Gels onto my bike or find a better way then trying to put them in my back pocket. I wasn't sure if I could swim with them back there or not. This was the first time using arm warmers so I brought them with me but didn't put them on in Transition I thought I could do it while out on the road. I found out early I coudln't do it so I pulled over and put them on.

I knew the hills were there for the first 14 miles. My test run earlier in the summer came out to around 14mph average. All my other training at home was between 17 and 19. I was looking for 17mph, it seemed like I wasn't going to get it with all those hills in the begining. I could tell my quads were burning from the begining. I wasn't sure how long I would be able to keep that up. I finished 10 minutes faster then I expected but I would pay for it on the run. I'm not sure how my nutrition worked, I didn't feel hungry or tired or bloated. I felt like I could keep going.

I would probably use the Gels taped to the bar. I tried using the power bar energy bites (oatmeal Rasin) I've used them in training and it seemed to work well, but I didn't seem to have an appitite for them during the race. Maybe my mouth was too dry and I couldn't get them down. Will have to experment with nutrition more. I'll have to think about the weather more and what I would wear during colder races.

I seem to do pretty good here. I only had to take stuff off and just put on my running shoes. This time I decided to run with a water bottle since I haven't run a half marathon before and I know I would have to drink stuff during this portion and I can't seem to drink from a cup while moving. It was nice with the Nathan's water bottle that I just squeeze it and it just pours out like a sports bottle. Very easy to drink from while running.

Nothing, I think I got this portion down. I just need to do it faster. I still seem to just be going through the motions because I don't want to forget anything.

This is where things started to fall apart for me. At mile 2 my quads just locked up on me. This was pretty painful but I kept on going anyways. I must have be adjusting my stride because around mile 3 my hamstrings just locked up as well. I had to walk at that point until they cramping went away. Once it did that I knew I was in trouble. From that point on I walked and then ran a little, until I finished.

Not sure what my problem was. I didn't feel winded, my legs just cramped up on me and couldn't keep running at that pace. Maybe look at my nutrition

drank as much Ironman Perform as I could find


Legs cramping up


Thought it was a good race for me being it was my first HIM, thought it was pretty hilly on the run so alot of people were walking up the hills.