This water was cold! My first 200 m were terrible - when I would put my face in the water I could not exhale and would come up gassping for breath. Couple that with my wetsuit which constricts my chest a little I was not a happy camper. Couple this with some small waves which were throwing me off. So I side-stoked for a bit trying to calm down. Finally I was able to start freestyle but keeping my head above water. Finally I was able to start swimming but breating on my right side only. On the final leg I finally calmed down and got into a groove. Sigh - if only the whole race was like this.

Swim in the lake BEFORE the race. I don't know what happened but I certainly freaked out. Now I know!

Walked into T1 - I was dizzy after swimming. Not my best transition ever. Took some extra time getting suited up for the bike ride since it was cold and rainy. Ensured my comfort by putting on my bike jacket :)

I was pretty happy with my bike ride. Having not been on the course previously I only knew the course from my reconnisance ride the night before. There were a few steep hills that made me appreciate my compact cranks (Thanks Miles from MC Cycle!). I tried to keep my HR below 155 but whenever the incline pointed up I could hear the beeping. I had some problems with my glasses fogging at the top of Devil Hill. Not the best situation for sure: my glasses were fogged, the guy ahead of me was crawling, people were coming up on the left and I could hear the USAT motorcycle on my left. Oh well. The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful. I intentionally didn't keep track of my pace/time on the ride, just the mileage. I passed quite a few pepole on the hills of 104. I am sure that most of them passed me on the run :). Loop 2 was more of the same as loop 1 but not as crowded. I kept my pace and finished in 3:13 with a solid ride. Not bad for the longest ride of the year.

Ride the course. Put defogger on my glasses. Get some real riding in before another half race.

Fast T2 - stripped down, but on the fuelbelt, number shoes and ran (well jogged) onto the course.

I am not a strong runner - I have been targeting 2:20 for a half pace in my training.

Loop 1 was great. Ran to the first hill at mile 2 and powerwalked up it. Ran to the aid station after the turnaround and then walked up that steep short hill to back on to the main road and ran all the way back to the turnaround. Loop 2 was not so good. Strong first mile and then I started the "dead man shuffle" where I'd run/walk in 4/1 time (4 min run/1 walk). Except hills. Sadly I had to walk up those. I saw Tamela and David C. on the course. Thanks for the encouragement!! I continued the DMS until mile 12 where I ran the last mile on home. Funny how you can just keep powering through that last mile. Finished and was happy to get my medal!

Get more biking in. I felt strong on the first loop but just ran out of energy on the second one. My legs were pretty shot on loop #2. My mental toughness wasn't what it needs to be. Good practice for the timberman!! If I am looking to finish T-man under 6 hours I'll need to find a way to get a tad faster on the run.

Saw my wife Dee and my father in law. Ate a hamburger, packed up the transition area and walked back to the car.




Not enough bike base. Slow runner!


Compared to the Timberman last year this was a good race - while a bit slower I certainly didn't have the same base in as last year. Also I think that I nailed down my nutrition. My plan was to have 2 aerobottles of sportsdrink on the bike (InfinIT), 2-4 gels and a pack of Clif Blocks. For the run I had my fuel belt (gatorade) and gel. I also relied on flat pepsi for the last loop (and a cookie - I figure if I was shuffling I might as well have a cookie!). No stomach issues or muscle cramping like Timberman. I was much happier this time 'round.

Keith Jordan's races are second-to-none. Despite the crappy weather and the flooded transition area the race still went off without a hitch! He, the endorfun crew, the voluneteers, officials, lin-mark, the police, everyone did a fantastic job keeping us safe and allowing us to have a day of it at Newfound. My only complaint: I didn't get a towel! If that is the worst thing about the race then I think that things went very well!

My thanks to the people at the Granite State Tri Club who were volunteering and participating. You know who you are!!

Lastly, the race shirt is the best one ever. I highly recommend Keith's races! As Keith says, Rock On!!