I wasn't as confident during the swim as I was hoping for. I swam pretty steady pace, the whole time, it was a slow pace though. The whole time I was just waiting for it to end. I was't enjoying it. I had some weird scratchy fluid buildup in my throat too, so it was kind of difficult to breathe. Not that I was ever in trouble or panicing, but I was constantly thinking that I might break down any minute and that messed with my head. Good thing that they didn't have any kayaks (at least I didn't see any). Otherwise, I may have repeated the Boulder trick - just hang on to the boat for awhile. One good thing - I think my navigation was good this time, I felt like I was on track the whole time. After I finally got out of the water, I had to catch my breath and couldn't really run that 1/4 mile to the T1, instead I jogged/walked, as I tried to pull the top part of my wet suit off and watched a bunch of people pass me on that little stretch.

First, I really need to improve my technique and balance. Instead of trying to be faster I am struggling not to drown, and that is no way to race. (Kind of unfair - at least those who are not so good at running don'r really fight for their lives in the running leg, they can just walk the whole way. In the swimming leg, if you can't swim, you are out of luck - hopefully, the swimming cap was bright enough, that you can easily be discovered from the surface ;)) I know that just doing a mile swim twice a week does not produce any improvement. I have high hopes about TI drills. I am planning to execute all of them before I do another free style lap in the pool.
Second, I need to figure out how to just take my mind off swimming while I am in the water and not get tricked into those open water panic memories again. I didn't have any of that during the Stroke and Stride, or in the Bay in San Fran, I don't understan why it tried to come back again during this race.

Transition went smooth except for the wet suit getting stuck on my heels for a little longer than I'd like to see. After that walk/jog to T1, I finally caught my breath and was moving fast in the transition area. After I had my wet suit off, I put the helmet and sunglasses on, consumed a GU, put socks and bike shoes on (I am not capable of putting my shoes on while I ride or running a 10K with no socks), and ran off to the bike start.

I'd like to learn how to jump on bike and put my shoes on while riding, but overall I am pleased with my T1

The ride was pretty dissappointing. I was hoping to be able to do at least 18 mph average. I ended up at 17, which is slower than last year :( Yes, it was windier and the course was longer, but I had 2,000 more miles under the belt at that point. I just couldn't get that velocity up even on the flats and slight uphills, needless to say on the steady uphills. My avg speed was just barely above what I did the Elephant Rock Century Gruop Ride, which was a casual ride and 3 times as long, I was even eating leftover pizza while riding at some point. Why do I ride so bad in races? I hope it was just the combination of sleep depriviation and exhaustion from the swim.

I think my bike training lacks some interval/speed sessions. I do a lot of hills, but maybe it's not enough and I should do more interval/tempo type rides on the flats.
Also I belive that the lack of sleep could have contributed to it too.

T2 was great and smooth. No getting out of my shoes while biking, no jumping of bike, but I ran in with the bike fast and changed into my running shoes, I put my helmet, glasses, and racing belt on in the first couple hundred yards while already running.

Nothing, it was a good T2

Not as fast as I wanted to, but steady. I didn't have to walk, but couldn't run fast either. I had some breathing issues again, similar to what I had during the swim

Do more bricks. Get back on a running rutine now, that is's been a month after the marathon and the 4-month mark to NYC marathon is just around the corner.

Stretched a little, walked around, layed on the grass


Not enough sleep! Also, being runshed in the morning and not being able to eat my oatmeal at home, drink coffee, etc. Didn't get enough time warm up before the swim either


Great post race food! It was great to chat with some new BT-ers I met