A pretty good swim - considering that I have not been in the pool much in the last month. I took it easy and went at my own pace - my arms were getting tired near the end, but all in all it was a good sewim for me! I didn't even get that overheated in my full wetsuit, I was surprised by that. I was in wave 2 which is both good and bad. Good because you're out there earlier, bad because everyone can catch you :-).

I tried to draft a little, but it seemed that everyone I was trying to draft off was either worse at navigating than I was or couldn't hold a constant speed. I eventually gave up and just did my own thing.

Dang wetsuit. Always gets hung up on my calves and heels. I'll just have to focus on more practice for this in the off-season. I also decided to put socks on because my running shoes gave me a blister after my last sprint and that sucked.

Pull the wetsuit over my calves before stepping on it to get out.

I love this course. Its hard without being difficult. Unfortunately, during the first 5 miles I had some bad mojo going on. My stomach was a little upset and my legs felt like lead. I had no power at all. Since the bike leg is my strongest part I was worried that I was in for a long day. Thankfully my legs got warmed up and the remaining 20 miles were not as much of a sufferfest for me. Unfortunately I did have some trouble with the hills today - I suspect that my lack of cycling in the last month contributed to that.

I'd make sure that the week before the race I was out on the bike doing some easy spinning, even if I have not been training much. I also have to put some hours into strength work so I don't get dropped on the hills so bad in 2006.

Nice, fast T2.

Remember to put my hat and race belt on while running out of T2

I didn't walk. I came into the run knowing that if I kept a steady, slow pace I'd crack the 3 hr mark, so my mantra was slow and steady. I had some slight pain in my left knee - mostly from going down the hills, but thankfully it subsided and I kept on truckin'. I must have been passed by 100 people on the run, which only reminds me that I need to focus on running during the off season.

Next time I'll wear my fuel belt. I don't dig cytomax, and they had that and water. I'd rather pull a hit off my fuel belt when I want it rather than every mile at the H2O staton.

Walked, drank water, ate a couple of oreos, some chips and a bowl of the best red beans and rice in the state. Caught up with some friends and caught up on current events (congrats Paul and Katie!!).


Since Timberman I've not been doing much other than the occasional bike or run. I just relied on my base to get me through, and it did. I really need to work on runinng speed if I want to not give back all the hard work I did during the swim and bike legs.


I think that this is the best race in the NCTS - to everyone who wants to do an olympic race, I highly recommend this one.

I was happy to take 10 minutes off my time from last year - it feels good to see improvements!