I was disappointed that the RD shortened the distance to 1/4 mile due to the cold. Swam very rapid tempo for 1st 250 yards, had to in order to get warm; then slowed deliberately to 1.22 tempo set on Tempo Trainer. Wasn't exhausted, but wanted to be in good shape to start the bike. 1.22 is a little fast for me, but sustainable. I will try it on the 800 in 2 weeks.
Sighting easy as long as other swimmers in the water, but the last couple of minutes I had to pay more attention. Unfortunately I was sighting on the wrong building, but the RD started waving his arms & I don't think I lost much.

Reapply the defogger ("Cat Crap") before each race.
Pay attention beforehand to what I can sight on from the water

Top rail on rack too low for bike seat to go under. I knocked rail down during warm-up; 1 competitor knocked it down during race. Something else to check.
Official timing grouped swim + T1; I had breakouts on my watch.

Nothing

I am extremely happy with this. Monitored HR throughout, & kept it in Zone 4 & low 5a. Backed off if it started going higher. My speed was faster than in last week's time trial, which was shorter.
Nutrition 2 Hammer Perpetuem solids, 1 water bottle.

Nothing.

Got the shoes on the right feet this time by marking one with bright tape. Forgot to grab the GPS from the bike to put on my arm.
Official timing grouped bike + T2; I had breakouts on my watch.

Remember everything?

I forgot to grab the GPS from my bike, so couldn't pace myself by speed. Kept an eye on HR instead. Stayed pretty much in zone 3 increasing to zone 4 for last mile and 5a for last minute, as I sprinted the last quarter mile.
I was excited than my time was under 30 minutes, a longtime goal for triathlon runs, but confirmed distance was 3 miles, not 5k, so it wasn't really. Still, it was close to last year's times.
Nutrition 1 Hammer gel.

Mark GPS with the yellow tape too; maybe I'll remember it.

Ate 1/2 Hammer Recoverite bar & 1 Fizz, plus lunch. Had brought my foam roller & stretching strap, but instead of using them I loaned them to a man who had pulled a hamstring. Good excuse. By the time I got home I was too tired & had to go to daughter's soccer game.


Nothing except more general conditioning & training needed.


This race was unbelievably small, just 9 competitors; several others scratched due to the cold. It was a real test of my mental strength to treat it exactly as I would a big race. For instance, I was tempted to put on socks and/or a shirt for the biking part: there was no one else in my AG, all I had to do was finish. Why not be comfortable? However, I never wear those when I am trying to make a good time, so I didn't do so here.(The cold numb feet were a help after the bike, as I had to run barefoot through the pea-graveled transition area.)