I had a tough swim. It seemed like I couldn’t get away from flailing arms and legs for the first 800m or so. Got my goggles kicked off and my Garmin buttons pressed. I seemed to be tracking a little left of center as well. My arms felt strong on the last half of the swim though so that was good. As I got out of the water, I looked at my Garmin, “8:50.” So much for that. I’ll have to fix it on the bike.

The flying mount was a success! Now I just need to be able to do it with my shoes already clipped into the pedals....and be able to do the run sockless.

I practiced a flying mount probably a dozen or so times on Friday – first in my yard in case I wiped out and then in the street. I never wrecked and felt like I could probably pull it off at the race. And I did! 30 seconds saved. I had a pretty good ride despite the typically rough roads on the course. There was actually a stretch of about 70m with no pavement – just road base. Lots of whiners were complaining but it wasn’t bad at all. Lots of blocking and drafting out there and I ended up riding beside the course marshall motorcycle for a good 20-ish miles. Saw her write down 50+ names but never once showed someone a penalty card. What’s the point? :eye roll: Coming into transition, I was able to get my feet out of my shoes so I could run sock-footed into transition – another 15 seconds saved. I felt a bit taxed but hoped I had saved enough for the run.

I need to try carrying all my own nutrition. The Gatorade Endurance on the course wasn't doing me any favors and I don't think I got enough salt. Need to look into salt tablets.

I didn’t save enough for the run. 0.4 miles in, I had to stop and massage my quads for a good 90 seconds or so since they were locking up bad. After that, I was able to run again and planned to do whatever pace a 160bpm HR would allow. That turned out to be 8:40 for a while, then 9:35, then 9:50, then 10:20. Then at 9.5 miles, I had to walk. My quads were locking up again and I couldn’t coerce them to cooperate for 3.5 more miles. So I run/walked the rest of the way. Oddly, going downhill was worse than uphill. I saw the same people multiple times since it was a multi-loop out-and-back run. About a half mile from the finish, I mustered all the guts in my legs and ran it in across the finish. I nearly tripped and fell on the excess timing mat bumps after I crossed the finish but luckily saved it. Should make for a great finish line picture.

More base miles. Need to do some over-mileage runs.

Signed up for a massage, grabbed a chopped beef sandwich and some ice cream, got my massage, tried to see a couple friends come across the finish (never saw them) and eventually gathered my things and went home. Chuy’s chips and salsa, Dos Equis, and enchiladas for dinner hit the spot.