My goal was to start in the front behind the super fast ladies and try to keep a decent pace without blowing up. I did get in a short run before we started w/ a few strides to make sure my muscles were well oxygenated. Is that a word? Anyway, I didn't want to blow up over 1 mile. Lucky for me I am not super fast on the run but good enough to give only a minute or two to the fastest runner which is a lot less than the 10-12min I'd give to the fastest swimmer.

Nothing good run for my current fitness level. Fastest in my AG and 28th overall.

Good transition. I found my bike quickly and tried to keep moving but go slow enuogh to catch my breath. Very different coming in off a hard run then a swim.

Nothing - 2 AG / 30 overall

Sigh - I stepped over the mount line and looked down to clip in. That is when I noticed my chain all F*#$ED up. I tried quickly to fix it but it was jammed and I could not get it back on the gear. It was not until a suggestion was made to move it too the smaller gear then try that I was able to get the chain on. Which duh!!! would have made sense but it is really hard to stay calm and think when know you are losing precious time and that I did. Based on my watch and the race split difference I lost about 3 1/2min. Enough to move me out of the top 15/20 for bike splits, a top 20 finish and 2nd overall masters. ERRRR - but that is racing.

So once I got on my bike, hands black with grease, I was motivated. It took me a few miles to get my legs going again another difference coming off a run but then I got into a good rhythm. It felt good to be on my tri bike again. So much faster and smoother than my road bike. I really started to have fun and go fast. By mile 8 or so I glanced down and I was cruising at 21.5mph pretty comfortably.

Ran into a little traffic literally onteh way back and had to dash past some cars moving slowly behind a slower biker but I stayed on my side of the road. Flew the last mile and got into transition. Legs were burning so I knew it was going to be a tough run.

On a side note: Flat course usually equals blatant drafting and I saw several little packs of guys blast past me. I was very happy to see lots and lots of penalties on the results and a large number of DQs. Not sure if they were for drafting but I felt like they were enforcing the rules.

Nothing - awesome bike with no training. But double check the chain before leaving transition although it could have popped off coming out up the hill. It really hurt - watch avg 19.2 / split avg 17.2 OUCH!!!!

Super quick - 1st AG / 14th overall

I knew I pushed it hard on the bike but I had time to make up and a sprint is really all about hurting. There is no reason not to push at 100% for the entire race. The legs were tight and my run shuffle was slow. Heart pounding and breathing labored, I tried to think slow thoughts (helps me regulate my breathing) and to keep moving even if it was slow. My body screamed and wanted to walk but my brain said no just keep moving. I wasn't sure if my body could loosen up with my lack of training or if i was done.

To my surprise and relief at mile 1, things settled. My stride opened up a bit and I was able to breath without hurting. So I picked up the pace. I picked off a few runners including one in my age group. By the last half mile, I was getting some leg cramps - all from lack of fitness but I was on the home stretch so I was able to ignore them. I turned up the final chute and saw the family. They were cheering and my daughter gave me a high five. Very happy to be done. That was all I had today.

Nothing really - good effort. Grateful to be out on course again. Sometimes life can't always go your way. So even when things are less than perfect, be happy that you can still do the things you love.

I was 2min off my triathlon 5k pace but it was good enough for a nice AG finish in my new old fart category.

Got a few nibbles, hugged the kids. I had a feeling that I was in the mix but the race announcer said another thuderstorm was headed our way and basically told everyone who was done to get their stuff and bug out.

We went back to the hotel, showered and then got some breakfast. It was too late and too far to go back after all that.


staying healthy


Setup did a good job and acted quickly with the weather. People were disappointed about the cancelled swim but I didn't hear any grumblings about the decision. Plenty of food and drinks at the end.