I went in with the intention of taking the first mile easy then speeding up as the race went on but the first half was straight downhill and the 2nd half was coming back up. I knew I could kind of let it go to start then just pace myself on the way back, which I did. Kept with a couple people most of the way. Once we all settled in I wasn't really passed or passing anyone. Good to know that if this was a stand alone 5k I could have really put the hammer down and probably shaved at minimum a minute off that time.

Not much. I hit pretty much the exact time I wanted to and while I felt it, I still felt fresh on the bike.

Quick run in, grab the bike and helmet and out. The mount like was about 20 yards up a hill which was nice so I didn't have to attempt to mount going up that hill. Still had a bit of an issue getting into the shoe though. I need to use rubber bands.

Rubber bands.

Right away I passed a lot of people. I settled in and for the first maybe 5 miles I was cooking. First half was slightly downhill and there were cross winds, but I kept ticking off 2:30 and 2:40 miles which was what I really wanted to do. Then came a turn on to a main road and all of a sudden the wind just smacked us in the face. It was a slight incline and a really nice smooth road, but man the wind was brutal. I thought it was just me and I should suck it up, but after the race everyone was mentioning that the wind killed them on that 2nd half of the bike. Kind of discouraging to go from 2:40 miles to 3:20 miles and I tried not to push myself too hard and just stay low and keep moving. I was putting out a pretty good effort and was kind of surprised when I pulled around a corner and saw the transition area.

I wanted to go 40 minutes and I was 39:45. Eh, would have liked to go lower, especially given how I was cooking at first, but the wind was equal on everyone so it's ok. It will definitely give me motivation to knock out some much harder training rides though.

They slowed us way down early going into T2. I was able to get my feet out of my shoes but I had 20 yards of people telling me slow down and unclip even though I already had my feet on top of my shoes. Felt like I moved pretty quick though.

Learn to do a flying dismount? Nah, not right now.

My legs were protesting this run. It was about 1/2 mile into the orchard then 4 loops up and down rows of the orchard. It was hilly and footing was just long muddy grass, not really meant for running. I was pretty beat. It was tough to keep up my 8 minute mile and I was pretty disappointed in how dead my legs were. The last 100 yards or so was on pavement and I felt fine on that, I think the terrain just played with my already beaten legs.

I tried sucking it up, I just didn't have the legs to barrel through the finishing run like I would have wanted. Really not psyched on this at all. I had the intentions of really bombing the last run but it was not to be.

Saw my wife and son (saw them two other times in the race), had a water, gatorade and two super fresh donuts while my son played in the bouncy house they had set up. Yeah I was beat but it was fun chasing him around and watching him jump around like a nut.


Eh, nothing really. I made my goal times which was great, some reason the last run is just kind of eating away at me. Wish I could have really done that better. I could stand to lose some weight too, although since starting tri's this was my lightest weight so far.


Very well run race for an inaugral race. Everything was on time and put together nicely. Definitely well run and would do it again.