Really confident with my swim right now so started front row and on the buoy line to get the straightest shot even if it meant having a little more contact.

Gun went and there were about 5 of us that got off quick and 2 guys quickly went off the front. I settled in next to and then behind two guys on the first section along the breakwall. Easy to navigate this section with the breakwall there. I was swimming well and then made the turn for a 100 meters before turning back towards shore.

The section back to shore is right back into the sun and tough to site. I was able to locate the exit banner and kept sighting off that but seemed to be quite a bit off the buoy line and not sure if I was really off course. the buoys seemed on a diagonal but figured I would get back towards the line unsure if I went off course a bunch or not.

Really was swimming strong and was 5th out of the water and felt good with 17:00 on the clock - dramatic improvement from the last few times at this race.

Sight a bit more on the return leg to ensure I was on the buoy line.

Wetsuit came off reasonable well and then was able to buckle the helmet quickly so this was pretty quick.

Shoes were already on bike and ran to mount line.

Nothing

Really felt solid on this ride. Since Grand Haven run went so well I thought I would target about 245W on the bike to be able to run well.

Started out pretty strong - passed 2 guys within 5 minutes of transition and was quickly into 3rd place. I played back and forth with one of them until 10K before I was able to breakaway.

I passed 2nd place at about 20K still riding and feeling very good. I was not able to get an idea of 1st place until the out and back section so the longer I did not see him the better. Finally I saw him and was not far back at all.

We eventually merged in with the Sprint distance and had no idea where he was at. The last 10K was directly into a headwind and figured this would be good for me and I could make up some serious time. I just tucked in and held my watts.

Made up 2 minutes on the bike to 1st place. I also managed to fall at the dismount line and get pretty banged up but grabbed my bike and hustled into transition.

Not fall at the dismount line.

Even with the fall, this was the fastest T2 in the race.

I was in a state of shock from the fall and limping a little bit but being in a position to win I was not going to stop.

Not fall.

Coming off the fall, my stride was not exactly fluid but I was able to really settle in after about a mile and things loosened up. I started at about 6:45-6:50 pace and then gradually descended pace to where I was running 6:30-6:35.

I felt really good on this entire run and at the first spot where I would be able to see the leader I was getting very close. He was about 90 seconds up the road. There was one turnaround in the park where I would get a better idea and at this point I really felt like I might be able to catch and pass him. I just kept the hammer down and hoped for the best.

Making the turn back on to the main roadway and 2.5K left we merged in with the sprint distance and I had no idea how far ahead he was I just ran as hard as I could. I finished really strong and crossed the line with 2:02 on the clock.

Really happy with the result.

Good performance after a bad run at Steelhead.

Nothing

Got bandaged up.


Could not have gone much faster today.


The venue is one of the best in the state.

The post race (food, drink, etc..) was not very good.

I did not stick around for awards since they were not getting started until 11:30.