Faster than last year, YEA! I had a hard time relaxing this race. I felt like a wad of tense muscle. Stayed on course, but couldn't get into a rythm first 440yards. Second 440yards was more relaxed. site every 5 strokes. Had a real hard time keeping my head down.

Site every 10 strokes. I tried 5 strokes and couldn't get into a rythm. Maybe stretch more before and try to get my blood pumping more.

I tried to put my shoes on while on the bike. Was very clumsy. I really dind't need to do this because I was so close to the timing gate. Put my biking gloves on backwards. I really did not anticipate how spent I would feel while transitioning. No socks was key...

Judge distance from timimg gate and decide if I am going to put shoes on and take them off while on the bike. Grab straps on back of shoe to put them on..

Bike felt strong. Was alittle slow on the hills. My lower back begain to bother me about 3/4 of the way thru the bike, I sat up for a little while (out of aero) to give my back a break. Need to work on staying in aero for long periods of time.

Use a cycle computer to figure out a good pace for myself. I was flying blind without a cycle computer so I didn't know what my pace was. This could have also worked in my favor in that I was stressed out about reaching a certain average speed - which was something I was going to try to do. Work more on hills in training...!!!

I didn't take any risks at this point (i.e. taking off my shoes while riding) I was so close to the timing gate that it was real easy for me to just go in whith my biking shoes on. So I played it safe. Good thing because after I got off the bike I was a little concerned about loosing my balance becuase I was working hard on the bike. I could not feel my toes. Mostly because of the cold air. I was funny putting on my running shoes, unable to feel my toes.

Nothing..good transition.

Felt fairly strong. Lower back still bugging me from the bike first half. Second half was strong. Real strong finish.

Walk around talk to friends and family. Banna, bagle, coffee.Light streching.


Swim


Had #1 this year because I registered early. Got all sorts of questions and comments. Arg...One person asked me about how I got #1. The guy who marked my arm bragged to the other markers that he did #1. I was passed on the real hilly portion of the course by #29. He quiped to me that he had #1 last year. I joked that it was a curse and asked him if he wanted to trade. Later on I passed him again on the bike. During the run #29 passes me. I didn't realize at the time that this was the same guy that had #1 last year. I stayed on his heels. About the last 100 yards another guy comes flying passed us so I kick it into high gear (I still had something remaining to my amazement) and passed #29 the last 100 yards. He came up to me after the timing shoot and shook my hand and told me he was the same guy who had #1 last year. We congratulated each other on a great race. That was a fantastic moment. I had a wonderful cheering section. My wife, son, stepdaughter, Jenn Birmingham, Douglass Simms, Aidan Birmingham, Kili Birmingham, Miles Simms, Eric and Cyrus were there cheering me on. I thought of my son often during the swim. The thought of him and my wonderful friends and family really got me thru. Had a great time talking to Mark (Rollinbones). Good to see Mark there, wouldn't be Harriman without him.