800 meter with wade in. Started to the back and to the right. Started out freestyle, anxiety kicked in, switched to breast stroke until I could get my breathing back. Talked to another racer having similar problems. Resumed freestyle. Started to veer off-course. Made my way back on course, and rounded the first triangular bouy.

Switched to backstroke for a little bit and resumed free-style. Still kept veering off course. Rounded second triangular bouy.

Got the swimming, sighting, navigation, thing down better. Last section went pretty good.

Despite being slower than most of the field, I still finished 10 minutes faster than I anticipated.

Finding some open water for training would help. Maybe some different goggles.

Exited the water, pulled my goggles and cap off. Took my wetsuit down to my waist. The wetsuit strippers did the rest.

My slow swim had its advantages...I found my bike right away.

Fast walk to my bike, put on shoes, camelbak, dew rag, helmet gloves,fast walk with bike to the mounting line. (Could have swore they said get on your bike at the "mountain lion".) Bike mount was mediocre considering that it was going uphill.

Felt like I had the course to myself.

Course had a mix of about everything. Started on pavement, and a curb hop led us to the dirt. Mix of singletrack, jeep / fire road. The course started out with mellow climbing then went into steep climbing with lots of loose large rocks. Did some walking along the way. Went through a couple of areas that had been burned in a forest fire a couple of years earlier.

Rode alone most of the trip with Moby's "Extreme Ways" going through my head.

One of the areas was the "Bone yard". Downed, burned trees lay across the course forcing riders to dismount, and carry their bikes as they crossed. This was one of the areas where I found another rider, whose response was "Holy Sh*T"

Downhill had more of the same: rocky trail, dirt road, and fire road. The ascents were traded for some fast descents, a couple of them fairly steep.

Had some near crashes, but still kept the rubberside down throughout the course.

Got back to pavement and went into transition.

I think I could have gone faster if I was more familiar with the course.

Downhill transition with a running dismount at the transition line. Nothing too sensational about the rest of it. Changed shoes, put on race cap and fuel belt and took off.

The run was an out and back trail run, with a serious hill called the "Eliminator". I knew I could finish the course, but wouldn't be able to run the whole thing. The "Eliminator" and most of the other ascents were walked.

This was the only leg of the race where I passed more people than people passed me.

The popsicles at the finish were good.

Walked around. My wife and brother-in-law packed up my equipment and let me relax with my popsicle.

Grabbed my "Grumpy Jakes BBQ" tray and munched. Gave my raffle ticket to another competitor on the way out (hope it brought you luck.)


My equipment functioned like it was supposed to, I live at the same altitude so my lungs did what they were supposed to. I live and train in the desert, so the temperature wasn't much of an issue.

Not being familiar with the course was a factor. My swim, though improving, continues to be a factor.

Some training guidelines for next year: More time in the water. Gonna have to find some open water out here in the desert.

I've done more Off-road riding this year which helped. Maybe find some steeper climbs.

Running: My major concerns going into this race, were the swim and the bike, so that's where I focused most of my training. For next year, more (balanced) run time on the trails, especially hills.


Overall, I felt good about this race. The Trisports staff did a good job getting the races together and providing support. I anticipate buying more tri-stuff from them in the future. Also plan on doing this or one of the other "Deuces Wild" races next year.