Very happy with my swim performance. I've always been a 2 minutes per 100 yards swimmer, regardless of distance, so it was nice to have a swim where I pushed myself the whole way and really improved my results. I've been swimming with a masters group for almost a year now and any improvement is directly related to that fact. I seeded myself toward the front and lined up straight to the turn buoy and I think that allowed me to go all out unimpeded right from the start.

Nothing. I'll just keep practicing with the masters group this year and look for steady improvement.

Good transition. No holdups. Wetsuit off, cycling shoes, helmet and sunglasses on, and I was off. No socks for a sprint.

Nothing. I've thought about clipping my shoes to the bike but until I'm close to a podium spot (probably never going to happen), the time I save isn't worth the effort it would take to learn how to do that properly or safely.

Good bike ride. Lots of ups and downs with sweeping turns at the bottoms. I was in the last wave so there was some congestion at the start but things thinned out pretty soon. Most of my training for this race was on the Computrainer, in erg mode, with short hard intervals and they really paid off in this race since it was basically a series of short hard efforts followed by recoveries on the downhills and tempo riding on the occasional flats. A nice course with plenty of markings and turn signs.

I decided not to go with the disc cover in the back and trispoke in the front. I figured it wasn't worth the effort to put the disc cover together for a race that would take about 30 minutes (the time it takes to assemble the disc cover). In retrospect, I probably should have raced with the best equipment I have. Then again, I probably would have only saved a minute at most (not enough to even move up one spot in my age group). Maybe next time.

Another good transition. Bike shoes and helmet off, running shoes and Garmin on, and I was off.

Maybe next time I'll try a flying dismount but probably not since the 3 seconds I would save probably won't make a difference.

Probably the best run I've ever had in a triathlon. I felt good the whole time and really tried to push myself, figuring that if I go faster it will be over quicker. I got passed by a few people but not too many. One person was passing me and then stopping and walking as soon as they passed me. Not a problem except that she stopped right in front of me each time causing me to have to run around her. After the third or fourth time I decided to not let her pass again and pushed myself every time she caught up to me. It worked as great motivation and pushed me harder than I would have pushed myself (and probably helped her too). At about the three mile mark she broke past me and finished a few seconds ahead of me but for over two miles she kept me at an 8 minute per mile pace.

Maybe worn socks. I got a big blister on my left instep. Still though it was worth it.

Sat down on the benches by the beach, grabbed some food, packed up my stuff in transition and, when they allowed bikes to be removed, put everything in my car. Then I checked the finishing times, chatted with a couple of people, relaxed and waited for the OK to leave (once the roads were opened).


Physical fitness and body mass.


An excellent race, especially for the inaugural event. Everything was well organized, started on time, and thought out. The course was very nice, the post race food was good, and there was plenty of water and drinks available (I'll never understand why it is so hard to get something to drink after some other races on Long Island). The race had a really local feel to it (e.g., the ham and cheese sandwiches at the finish were very tasty) but was still professionally organized and run. A great way to finish my race season and the summer.