Event 3

By the time I arrived to the pool, I was pretty tired. I didn't have much energy left, but just dove in and started to swim. I didn't want to lose an OA spot for loafing around.

Once in, I could see across the length of the pool and saw McQ(?) about 5 lengths over. I thought to myself, that looks FAR away! I'm tired now!

As I started the third lane, I saw that the guy behind me got in the pool. I thought to myself, CRAP! Have to get this done! I could hear McQ yelling for me to swim harder from the sidelines.

Finished the swim, coming out of the pool and headed over to talk to McQ. We had a good time talking and joking around. I then went and got my cowbell and we rooted for Mrs. D00d as she came into the T2 and throughout the pool.

Entered T1 1 second behind the OA leader. Ran to my bike, took off running shoes, put on cycling shoes and helmet, and ran out. I was about 5 seconds slower than the leader (and eventual OA winner).

I should have done T1 faster to apply pressure to the OA leader.

Event 2

Started the bike and put my head down to hammer. I could see the OA leader about 5-10 seconds ahead. I need to work on my transitions, but otherwise thought to myself, "I feel great!" I am going to chase him down!

As we turned into the first hill, I dropped my chain. I yelled out in disgust, jumped off, and tried to put it back on. I don't know if the angle I was on impeded my completion of this task, or I was just flustered, but I could not put it on. I glanced at the top of the hill, which was about a tenth of a mile to the top, and ran to the top with my bike. I easily put the chain on and jumped on, cursing under my breath again, thinking how much time I had lost.

After that, I just put my head down and kept pedaling. The hills were brutal. The lack of hill training during the past year really became a factor during this race.

At mile 7ish, I turned around to see if I could see anyone on the horizon. There was somebody, but I couldn't tell who it was. Then, that person waved. I turned back around and kept pedaling. A few minuets later, on a big hill, McQ pulls up next to me. I told him, "these hills are kicking my ass!" He just said, "keep pushing!"

He dropped me on that hill and I saw him pull away.

At the end of mile 10, somebody else came up on me. As he passed me, he was in aero, not even pedaling. WTF? I was pedaling as hard as I could, in the drops, and he was still pulling away. WTF x2?

It's definitely time to get a tri bike.

At the start of mile 11, the downhills started and I just pedaled as hard as I could. Rolled into T2 and was determined to push the rest of the race as hard as possible.

Lack of hill training was the limiter in this race. I just didn't have anything to climb.

Another factor that probably limited my ability to race well on this segment was the fact that I was without a bike for the 3 weeks leading up to this race. Shipping my road bike home from Iraq took much longer than I expected.

Good transition. Racked bike, took off shoes and helmet, grabbed goggles, then ran to the pool. Ran hard.

Nothing.

Event 1 (Run Bike Swim)

Right after returning from a short run with McQ, entered T1 and gave my wife a kiss. Then, bumped fists with McQ, and I headed to the front of the line. The RD counted down and we were off!

The start of the race was fast and furious. Several young kids and a few older guys were at the front. I recognized the run leader from my first DLCT. He was the overall winner and was starting off the same as last time...fast.

During the 2008 DLCT, he dropped me in the first half mile. Not this time! I went right up to the front with him and we pushed the pace hard. A few young guys hung with us for a little, but then dropped back.

"Fastie" continued to push the pace, but this time, I called his bluff and pushed to the front. He started to huff and puff and fell back. We were running a 5:40ish pace and he fell back further. I really thought I had blown him up and pushed it just a little harder.

For the next 10 minutes (or so), I kept the pace up. there were several patches of sand and soft dirt, so I'd run on the edges of the trail to avoid those areas. I also tried cutting around trees sharply, trying to run the shortest distance

Towards the middle of the 2nd mile, I heard him come up on me, then go for the pass. Damn, this guy is strong! He passed me, but I stayed right on his tail. Looking at my garmin told me that we didn't have long before the end. No sense in overdoing it right at the end.

As we entered the clearing that led to T1, the RD announced us and told the crowd that we had set a run course record by over 2 minutes!

Fastie crossed the line one second ahead of me, then headed for his bike. I did the same.

Maybe push the middle part of the run more. I think I could have dropped Fastie if I decided to make it painful.

Once again, lack of hill training. Iraq is flat. No hills.

I was pleased with the overall race. I came in 4th OA and 2nd AG. My goals for this race were to A) have fun, B) stave off a McQ assault, and C) finish top 10 overall. Succeeded in 2/3, so not too bad. :)

I was able to use my strength, which is running, to have a good race. I need to work on my bike hard during winter to be ready for some serious racing next year.

I also got to talk to alot of ppl after the race, to include the overall winner. He mentioned that he thought I'd hang on the bike. LOL...he didn't know I suck at the bike! :)


This is a good, old fashioned triathlon. Fun atmosphere and small.