Good swim.

2 Waves. Women started in one wave at shortly after 8am. Men were started 18' after in one big wave.

I seeded towards the front, second row. Went out hard to the first turn ( which was about 300m ) to stay with the lead group. Hung on some fast feet to the first real turn about 500m further, then they pulled away. Was in no man's land for a bit, then some faster swimmers caught up and I fell in behind them and took a nice easy haul the rest of way drafting off the pack. It was fun.

Nothing.

I thought this took a lot longer. Guess not. :) Was just smooth. Didn't rush, made sure I had everything for the bike.

Nothing.

I really surprised myself here. The bike course was very hilly. Constant rollers. No real flat section to speak of. Took it easy on the first lap. Increased effort on 2nd lap a bit, though HR seems to reflect the opposite? Perhaps due to elevated HR at the start of the bike as blood shifted to my legs.

Nutrition was 1 bottle of perpetuem ( 4 scoops ) with 4 endurolytes disolved in. Finished food by 2:00 mark. Supplemented with 2 gel shots, at 1 hour and 2:15. Went through 4 24 oz bottles of water as it was getting hot on the bike.

Peed on the bike twice. Hehehe. TMI, but I knew that I was keeping hydrated.

Nothing. I paced it perfectly.

Took my time again. Didn't rush through. Seemed like it took longer than that again. Guess I was in the flow. :)

Nothing.

First 2 miles of each loop was very hilly. And dead in the sun, with no shade. First time through was rough. Second time through took all I had to keep going and not walk. I did my counting mantra and made it.

It was freakin' hot on the run. I walked every aid station. Took two cups of water and a cup of ice. Drank one cup, some of second cup. Rest of second cup went over my head. Ice went in the hat. Took 2 endurolytes every other aid station. Took 1/2 flask of heed every other aid station from my fuel belt. Managed a shot of gel at 3 miles and 6 miles.



Run faster? Considering, I think I did pretty good job of pacing and hanging on through the run. I passed a fair number of people on the second lap simply by not walking. It hurt to keep going, but as I got closer to the finish, and knew I was going to obliterate my Racine performance, I found energy to keep going. The run was very good mental victory for me.

Got bottle of water at the finish. Went to the lake and jumped in. Learned from Racine and made sure to cool my core. Hung out in the lake for about 5 minutes. Got out and walked around and stretched a lot.


Not much. Just overall running speed.


Excellent race. Plenty of aid stations, especially on the run, where they were definitely needed. Wouldn't have done as well if not for the aid stations.

They did rankings by AG based on whether you were a qualifier or a general entry. So my rankings are for my general entry AG. Also, it looks like they didn't count my birthday to determine AG. Kinda sucks. I got 4th in the General Entry 25-29. My time would have been good for 1st in General Entry 30-34! Dang it, I *want* to be older! :)

Really, I paced and executed this race just about pefectly for my current level of fitness. It was really hot on the run, and I normally don't run so well when it's that hot. I think I should have been able to run faster, but the heat and humidity really tested me.

Really really really really happy with how I raced this one. Great way cap off what's been a great season of Tri's. It's not fully over, as I've got the Chicago Marathon in 2 weeks, but no more tri's for me this year. Next one of those will be St. Anthony's!