Was a bit of a washing machine at the beginning. Some guys were still walking/ running out and some were swimming. I was swimming. Only a little bit of contact throughout the swim. Kept a good pace and had no problem sighting. There was a light chop to the water, until we go towards the orange buoy, then it got fun; We had 3-4 foot swells so it was a little hard to get out to the buoy. Luckily I swam in water like this during training so I wasn't worried. On the way back in my hamstrings decided to cramp up, especially the right one. Oh man it hurt! Not really sure why this happened, I was barely kicking. Maybe in hindsight I was trying too hard not to use my legs that it led to this. Lost a good couple minutes trying to stretch them out. Got a good whack to the head as I swam in. Finally got to the stairs and climbed out. Ran along the pier, unzipped and got to the strippers, kept my cap and goggles on so I didn't have to carry anything. They were occupied so it took a few extra seconds, then my suit got stuck on my foot when they did try to yank it off. I think I'll try some glide on the shin/ankle area next time. Saw a young guy doing this on the trolley over. Maybe even just do my wetsuit myself. Then ran to transition.

Not much. Just keep up my training and try to get faster. The timing was all the way until transition, swim time would be much quicker without the run.

Got to transition and then my spot. Took my time since this is a long day. No need to rush my first. Hung up my suit on the fence and left my cap and goggles on the ground. There were a couple older gents around so we chatted up the swim while getting ready. It was a nice, laid-back atmosphere. So, toweled off a bit, sprayed on more sunscreen, took a squirt of liquid shot and some water, got my socks and shoes on, then helmet and walked the bike out.

As I do more, it will get a bit faster.

Right off the bat I had to pee. Should had stopped right at the run aid station at mile 2. I held off until first bike station at 14.7. Made it a bit harder to take in nutrition. Next time I will.

Took it easy for the first couple miles, then settled in. Was trying to keep my target power and I think I did a great job. The wind was pretty strong so I just kept it easy. Bike fit made a huge deal on a day like today; it felt like I wasn't having to use as much energy to maintain speed in the headwind. Just need time and training to get with the big dogs.

Chain dropped when shifting around mile 20. I tried to work it back onto the small ring, but couldn't so I pulled over to fix it. A couple latex gloves go into my pack next time. lol My right hand was a mess even after wiping it off in the grass. So this took just a few minutes and I was off again. Some of the quick women started coming by.

Ride was uneventful the rest of the way until the turnaround. I did have a bloated feeling in my stomach for most of the ride the more liquid shot I took in. I tried to hold off on taking in anything other than water after awhile, so my nutrition wasn't to plan. Not sure if this was due to the small amount of seawater I swallowed or what. Something to work on for next time.

Another thing of note was passing others. Some sections of the shoulder were only a few feet wide, so there wasn't much to be done, but where the shoulder was pretty wide, some riders still rode on the left edge, making passing a bit dangerous when the traffic picked up. I tried to keep right as much as possible. Some stretches had debris, but for the most part the road was clean and easy to stay right.

Got to the turnaround and just missed the group that was let through by the sheriff, so I and a small group had to wait a couple minutes while they let the cars go. Since Highway 1 is the only way in or out, we knew this might happen. By the way the police did a great job of directing traffic, no issues the entire time. We took off, did a short out and back on a side road, then headed back home. I stopped at an aid station just a few miles down the road and got my water bottle filled. The way back felt so good with the tailwind. Just love that feeling of flying along. I still kept my power within spec so I wasn't hammering it or anything. I tried to keep drinking at regular intervals but still couldn't take in much nutrition each time.

The road got pretty rough towards the end, got bounced around pretty good. I was able to stay aero but had to readjust my position after the big shocks. There was one memorable overpass that I got to the other side, hit the joint, and my torpedo bottle got launched out. Luckily the aero bars kept it from going too far. The rest of the back stretch was somewhat lonely. Didn't encounter too many other cyclists. Got back to town and into transition without issue.

Wanted to say the volunteers at all the aid stations were great. Some really got into it with signs and music so it got a good laugh to help break up the monotony of a long bike ride.

Like the swim, just more training. Just got my tri bike a few months ago, so haven't put in a ton of miles yet.

Got to the dismount, stopped, unclipped and then tried to run with the bike. Legs felt like rubber so that lasted a few steps. lol Walked the rest of the way to my rack. Racked the bike, took my helmet off, got my shoes off. Put on more sunscreen, got visor, sunglasses and running shoes on. Took a swig of water, then took off jogging.

Nothing. More experience will make this faster.

Oh, boy. Another tough run in the Florida heat. This one felt almost identical to my last tri run at Siesta Key. Was better prepared to deal with it, but it was still tough. When I got off the bike and saw how crusty with salt my shorts were I knew what to expect.

Started off the run nice and easy out of transition, wanted to keep the pace slower than normal. The first 5k was spent feeling out my body. Didn't feel too bad for having been going for almost 4 hours. Legs were a little tired but okay. I had to pee again so I hit the first aid station. Man, it was like walking into a sauna. Did my business and got the hell out. Grabbed some water and heed from the first station, then kept going. I started to feel the first twinges of cramps creeping up.

The run went south towards the end of the first 5k. I got to the end of the first out leg then my hammies started locking up. The entire run was a cycle of running, cramping, walking, running, walking, cramping. lol So it was a bit of a struggle. Some parts there were no cramps but I was just tired. The mental aspect is one thing I really want to work on; to be able to push through the fatigue and keep going. Cramps, yeah I had to stop for those, but I found it too easy to just stop running and walk. Especially when you see others doing it too.

As for nutrition, I tried various combos at each station: coke, heed(tasted awful),tap water, enduralytes, ice, bananas, bagels. They also had this water in a pouch that didn't taste very good, can't remember the name. Just kept downing something and drinking something. So, again more stuff to work on for the next time.

The last 5 miles were pretty tough. One funny thing of note: There was a guy who I saw on the bike where we went back and forth passing, and now here we were going back and forth during the run. Funny stuff. He would pass me for a bit, then walk. I would get going again and pass him, then walk. We did this for probably 4-6 miles, don't remember exactly. I also started to feel pain in my left foot. The same tendonitis that I'd been feeling now and again for the last few weeks, which I thought was from my tri shoes since the pain was right where the strap was, but now was worried it was running induced. Turns out it's my posterior tibial tendon. Have to monitor it the next couple weeks.

I think I scared a family sitting on the sidewalk by the southernmost point marker. I crossed the street and right before I got to the other side my left hammie locked up. So I let out a couple choice words and sounds right next to them as I stopped to stretch it out.

I passed by the finish area then headed towards downtown proper (The run was originally going to finish on Duval but got moved to the outskirts.) Had to dodge a few bystanders on the sidewalks, but nothing too bad. There was a volunteer at each turn to help direct and the painted arrows on the ground really helped. The run through Duval could have been more memorable, but I was tired and dragging. Got a cheer from one of the balconies so that helped a bit. Ran back out towards the finish area. I pushed through to the end and finished.

Still trying to crack that cramp code. So will just keep working on hydration and nutrition. Need to get more training done during the heat of the day. My schedule is usually early morning and at night.

Just got a Coke and a slice of pizza. Two of my favorite foods but not at that particular time. I was tired and sore, so I sat down for a couple minutes. The finish was at the northwest area of KW and transition was southeast, with my hotel in between. Walked back to the hotel, got changed then went back to transition to get my gear. Back to the hotel again for a shower, then off to get some grub.


This was a fun race. It was tough but enjoyable. I'm sure it's hard to put on an event in Key West in terms of logistics, you can't really close off many sections of road or walks. Plenty of support throughout, well organized. Highly recommended. Would love to do next year's but they moved it back a week to New Year's weekend, so due to work I won't be able to make it.