I was very happy with my swim time. I really stayed within my capabilities and performed well there. Nothing blazing fast, but I'm proud of that effort.
There were about 30 people in my swim wave (8 lanes with 4 swimmers each). My wife kept track and saw that the first 6 people out of the water were women! Then there was a couple guys, a few more girls, and then me. I was #11. I'm basically ecstatic to be in the top 1/3rd of the wave.

Not much. I didn't go slower than I should have!

Time is approximate... off my watch.
Had a very nice transition. Remember those girls who got out of the water before me? That didn't last long for them. It baffles me that people don't use the Transitions as a time to cover ground quickly. Free speed! In the very short space from the pool to the bike racks, I passed 3 people.
I was into my bike shoes with my helmet and glasses on practically without even thinking. I got up some pretty good run speed before doing the flying jump onto the bike. Got clipped in immediately, and I was off!

Nothing.

I'm frustrated that they don't keep splits for the 3 legs. There's no way to compare your events to others. That's a huge letdown, to me.

But anyway, I just set a goal to keep an average around 20mph for the bike portion. I knew it was doable because the majority of the course is flat. Just a couple decent hills at the beginning and end.
I passed a few people occassionally on this section. But it was hard to tell if those folks were in my wave, or if they were making their second loop. So I didn't give it much thought, and just kept spinning away and staying as aero as my road bike will let me. Attack mode was in full force for this one. Kept a 21.3mph average at the halfway point of the bike leg. I knew that would set me up for a good split, even if the way back was tougher. Merely one person passed me on the bike. He was THAT GUY. The guy with the fancy bike, black disc wheels, and a tear-drop shaped helmet. He was flying!
The turnaround spots were great places to pass people. They would slow down way to early, and not dig hard out of the turn. I took advantage of those spots very well. On one turn, though, I was cutting it tight and my rear wheel slipped on some gravel a little bit and slid out. It scared the little old man at the turnaround more than it scared me. "you had me scared for you there, son." he was a nice gentleman. :)
The only other action on the bike was the girl who drafted me for about 2 miles. I passed her at a turnaround, and then she passed me back... only to slow down below 19mph. That was annoying, so I immediately overtook her again. And this time, she stuck with me, no more that 2 bike lengths back. Obviously she wasn't worried about a penalty, but she was in a position that I would be very nervous about. I kept looking back every 30 seconds, checking on her. There she was. I was tempted to say something. Maybe a "drop or pass!" But I didn't. Instead, I just turned up the spped and left her behind. Good times!


Nothing. But I did do something different than my first race. I didn't take any sugary drinks or gels. I only had a cup of water or so, and I was just fine!

Had a smooth transition.
Best part was a note that my wife left me on the towel. What a boost that was!!

Be nicer to the oblivious lady... maybe. and that's a big maybe.

She was just strolling in the TA chatting with some buddies - walking 3 abreast *rolls eyes*, right at the very edge of the racks, where people are like to be entering and leaving. She got a couple stern, "get outta the way" barks. What can I say, she was stealing my free speed!!

The hills were tough and plentiful. No doubt about it. Around every single corner, there was a volunteer helping the racers stay on course, and I swear each one of them said, "Up the hill and to your right. Good job." All of them. That's right, this course boasts the world's only 100% uphill run. Or maybe I exaggerate slighly. You'll never know.
I enjoyed the scenery of the run. It reminded me of some of the courses I ran in high school. Lots of ponds and trees, roots and rocks, sharp turns, and dangerous descents.
At one particular corner, there was a permanent metal sign that read "free manure" which was right next to the volunteer who was making sure nobody cut the corner. As I ran up the hill towards her, she gave me a, "Good job! Keep it up." I simply replied, "Oh, I'm just here for the free manure (as I pointed to the sign overhead), where do I pick it up?" Hilarity ensued.
I was happy that there were a couple water stations along the run. I was able to get a couple sips in my mouth, and it really hit the spot since I didn't bother with the gel flask/water bottle. I was just fine without it on such a short course.
On the final stretch of the run, Soozy cheered for me, and I picked up the pace at that point, to finish very strong. Thanks! She was hauling ass on the bike, by the way.

I probably could have let the 'ol ticker crank up a few more beats throughout the run, but I was in a pretty good grove, so I left well-enough alone.

Just walked around in search of wife and water. I kept a close eye on the results as they came in, and did some stretching as well.


Just overall fitness level. That will come with lots of training. But generally, I performed very close the very best of my abilities.


They gave away a brand new Specialized Allez road bike valued at about $1,000. That was awesome, except that some Ironman guy won it, who already has a $3 trillion bike.
I'm still very annoyed that they don't keep splits, because then I have nothing to obsess over when the race is done.
I had a great morning, and really enjoyed this race. Volunteers apenty were such a huge help. They were a really large part of this event. Nice stuff!