I tried to line up to the right to get a straighter line to the first buoy but the crowd started to form a line that kept me from going directly to the first buoy. After getting past knee deep water, I started my swim and kept a decent pace until midway through the long stretch. The waves started getting more choppy and I had a hard time sighting the last buoy. I knew approximately where it was but still drifted out a little too much from the main line. Making the final turn, it felt good to start catching some waves. I kept swimming towards shore until my finger tips started catching the ground. Some people were standing up early trying to walk in but with the waves, it was easier to make progress swimming.

It was a long uphill beach run to the transition area. I walked most of the way up the beach as my wetsuit makes it pretty difficult to run.

I initially planned to get out of the water and immediately take my wetsuit off on the beach. For some reason I followed the mentality of the other racers and left the bottom portion of my suit on. This made it difficult and hot when running up the beach to the transition area.

The course was decent but not anything special. The first lap I fought the gusting wind with my HED H3 front. It was pretty sketchy until I found my groove and was able to concentrate on pedaling rather than controlling the bike. There were a couple rough corners that I slowed for and lost time on but once I got back in the aero position, I was able to crank. By lap two, I had the course figured out and really started to make up time. Since I was in the first group, I was able to count the riders in front of me at the turn around point. I moved up a few slots and kept that position until coming into transition.

Nothing

Bike shoes off before dismount, run shoes on pretty quick.

Wheels came off here... not sure if I swallowed too much salt water or just didn't drink enough on the bike course but couldn't get cooled down nor drink enough water. I felt bloated after the first aid station and never really got my mind in a place where I could get a decent pace going. By mile 3, I was walking the hills and running the flats. Eventually I was down to walking a significant portion. Once I made it to about 5.5miles, I started to feel better and put in a run to the end. The pace wasn't spectacular but at least didn't walk the final mile.

I took in two Gu packs and water while on the run. The first Gu was at aid station #1 and the second was around mile 4ish. I think I needed more water in my system prior to starting the run. After taking that second pack of Gu and two full cups of water, I felt better pretty quick.

Slip-N-Slide!!! After crossing the finish line I hit the slide and sat in the cold water for a minute or two. I've never felt that bad after such a short race. It took at least an hour before I felt normal enough to walk around.


I'm still scratching my head but thinking it was a combination of being excessively hot with lack of hydration.


I was pretty grumpy after the race as I knew I had a good base to place top 5 in my age group. Coming in 8th was unsatisfactory for me. Had I been able to hold my normal 7:15-7:30 run pace, I would have met my goal. Oh well, could have, should have, would have don't count. The post race party put on by Red Rock eventually got me out of my slump and I was wishing all triathlon races would end this way. They really know how to put on a party and everybody seemed to be having a good time.