So glad they decided to make it a north to south swim instead of last years out and back swim. It would have been a shit show overwise. I loved the fact their was a current and waves. I was in the 2nd wave which gave me a chance to watch the effect of the current. I angled myself a bit further to the left and it worked perfect, hit the bouy spot on. At the 3rd bouy and again angled myself inward so I hit the beach right at the shoot. Caught a great wave almost to the beach. The run to T1 was as long as the swim itself. What I don't undestand is why people will swim hard and then walk up the beach! I passed at least 6 people running up the beach.

Nothing.

I cut my sleeveless shorter and sprayed the inside leg area with spam. It's a $50 suit so I'm not overly concerned about harming it. Shit worked great, slipped right over my heel and timing chip.

Hit the gas pedal and the legs responded but after 5mins they'd had enough of burning and decided we were going to ride hard but comfortable. Whatever, two weeks post IM I was just happy to be doing a short race and that ocean swim was the main reason I did the race. I missed the 1st turn as I was following a guy and there wasn't a volunteer at the corner. We realized it after 10seconds at the next corner and quickly turned around. Oh well, it's in the rules to know the course and I've do the race before and should have be actively nagivating and not blindly following another racer. 2 & 3 loop it got PACKED with the other 409 racers.

I ordered a new 11-23 cassette as I've been running a 11-28 all season for LP training. For flat courses I think having all the gears in the low/mid range will help.

I spaced out on dismounted and getting my feet out of my shoes. Basically got one foot out and then had to stop and take the other off while standing still. Then I stumbled with my bike on the curb, my head wasn't fully in the race. Stumbled getting my shoes on and will switch back to my Newtons for sprints. They're just easier to slip on than my saucony kinvaras.

Started off well, caught up to Ross and another guy within the 1st mile. Once I hit the beach the wind was solid in your face. Caught up to another 2 guys from the 1st wave around 1.5miles. Near the turnaround I saw the race leaders from wave 1. There were 3 guys in a pack and then I saw scoogie a good 30seconds behind. Seeing him that far behind gave my legs an excuse to shut it down. We decided that if he's 30secs off their lead than I'm not within reach of the overall win. Hit the turn and the vacuum of the tailwind made it an oven. I pulled back to a pace that wasn't comfortable but wasn't my normal race pace. With 50yards to go I see Chuck and the guys hollaring at me to run! Didn't really register that they were trying to tell me I needed to sprint to win it.
Afterwards we decided if this happens again to maybe send someone out further so I could pickup then pace and not try a Usain Bolt the last 100meters.

bacon, sausage, eggs, and beer.


ahhh Ironman Lake Placid.


After party at Bar A makes it a stellar event. Drinks and a breakfast buffet were awesome. We need a Bar A in Westmont.