Opted to go wetsuit free and swam much better than I did at my tri 2 weeks prior (also wetsuit free). I was smart and lined up to the front on the outside again this year as last year. Never had a problem getting swam over. I did pass a few guys in the wave before us, and got passed by a couple guys in the wave after us. Would have liked to be a little closer to the front of the swim pack, and I think a wetsuit would have got me there this year, but it was just too warm for it - even though they were legal. I felt more relaxed than I expected I would feel. Much better than my race 2 weeks ago.

I was pretty happy with my swim. I swam straight, sighting was great, and I could probably sight less often which might save a few seconds.

Didn't have shoes on pedals - never tried that before. So I put on my shoes in TA1 and did a run mount on the bike outside TA. Feet were really dirty from running in sand followed by dirt into the TA. Took time to wipe them off before putting on my bike shoes.

Practice shoes in pedals to shave off some more time.

Felt sluggish on the bike. Not sure what my issue was, but I just didn't have it today. Part of my problem was choice of eye wear. When in aero the top of my sunglasses limited my view of the road. Considering there were cracks/bumps I was a little timid to go too fast in aero combined with my stupid sunglasses blocking my view. Next time rimless sunglasses! Was hoping my time would be at least a minute faster this year, disappointed I didn't perform like I felt I should have. I was also timid on the corners first go around and got faster with each turn, but would have liked to be more aggressive with my turns.

Rimless sunglasses or perhaps one of those cool helmets with built in visor?

First time taking shoes off before dismounting the bike. I tried this at my last tri, but my shoes pulled off the pedals. This time I tightened the pedals prior to the race to hopefully prevent this and it worked.

Wore new shoes (I know, big no-no) for the race, and the tongue of the shoe is not attached to the shoe like my previous shoes and when putting my foot in the tongue folded under. UGH. Had to redo my shoe, cost me at least 5 seconds. Speed laces worked great.

Grabbed my race belt and put it on as I was running.

Practice transition with new shoes before the race.

Still my weakest link of all 3 sports. Happy to keep my average pace under 9 m/m. Next year I'd like to focus more on the run and improve that to closer to 8 m/m.

I think I did a pretty good job here. I did walk through one water station to get a good drink of water and wash my mouth out. Would prefer to just slow my pace rather than walk, but that is only a couple seconds.

Chatting, Gatorade, orange slice, pancakes, bacon, water.


Training. All comes down to training.


Pancakes & Bacon post race thanks to TNT - can't complain about that!