This was pretty crazy. I didn't know how it would go at all.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/pre-swim.jpg
I chatted with a couple guys at the start of the race, just to keep things light. Distractions are okay with me, in that situation. I asked a guy if he just wanted to punch me a couple times before we started, y'know, to get it out of the way. It was good for a laugh from those who overheard.
I stationed myself all the way to the right side in the front row of the action. The horn sounded and we were all off... and over ... and around... and through.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/kickinface.jpg
Feel free to notice all the dudes with the huge arms and back. yeah, I'm not one of them. But they did maul me.
I was passed like it was nothing, and the left side of the wave seemed to surge ahead and make a break for the first turn bouy. there was nothing i could do about it.
**cool video**
http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/?action=view&curr...
I took a couple knocks to my head throughout the race. I feel like I got the full OWS experience. I doubt my navigation was very good, since my time was so much slower than i anticipated. in general, i think i was a little bit frantic, not getting much glide out of each stroke. but that's to be expected given that it was my first attempt at this.

swim faster? the jostling wasn't too bad, so i'd start in the same place again, but i just wish i were a better swimmer. I got killed here.

Not too shabby here!
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/outoflake.jpg
It was a rather long run from the beach to the bikes, so that accounts for the seemingly lengthy time.
It was even a little tricky getting there. Had to use caution around the slippery corners...
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/aroundthecorner.j...
I got the bike shoes on pretty well, and since I had an excellent rack spot, I had an easy time getting out of the TA quickly. It was also really nice that the other bikes (long course competitors, mostly likely) that were racked near me were out on the course. my bike was the only one left on the rack when i got out of the water. It turns out I made a living off free TA speed in this race. I had the fastest transition in my AG by 24 seconds, but most were LOTS slower. Not bad for a guy who doesn't have his shoes on the pedals already. Overall, it was the 5th fastest T1. :)

nothin'

I got things back on track with the bike, and tried to make up for being a little "over budget" on the swim. I had hoped it would take less than 8 mins.
Right out of the gates I caught a few people, and one of them had a "29" on his calf. He was moving pretty good, charging up the first hill on his nice tri-bike. I thought I was going to be in for a tough fight early on. But I got warmed up quickly and disposed of him shortly after. That felt good! So I set off to find more guys in my AG who had no doubt smoked me on the swim. I passed lots of older dudes from the waves in front of me, but never did see any more guys close to my age. I passed tons of bikes, and managed to only get passed twice by a couple very elite guys who were doing the long course. They absolutely blew by me like I was standing still. Whoa! that will inspire me to work hard this winter, though.

nothin'. I believe I left it all on the course, and met my time goal.

Smoked this transition.
1st in my AG by 19 seconds.
2nd overall!! and that 1 guy who did it faster than me, only did so by 4/10th of a second.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/outofT2.jpg

nothing!

1st in my AG by 1:20. niiiiice!
Went flying out of the TA, slipping on my shoe as I went, and just then I hear my name over the PA system. "Getsome is heading out on the run." Adrenaline rush. I got a great boost of energy from that. It was very short-lived, but it was very exciting to hear my name like that.
I passed a guy who had come out of the TA just before me. He told me, "good race" and I returned the compliment, and then took off again. I managed to pick off a few people on the run, but there weren't many out there. It seemed to take forever to get to the turnaround, but I made it there about when I expected to.
I knew I had to tear up the final mile if I was going to hit my goal, though. My legs were burning, and my lungs were gasping for air.
"Two more hills left," I told myself... and I began my attack. I was looking over at the other side of the street, watching the runners who were still heading towards the turnaround. Some looked tired and weary. I fed off that, maintained my posture, and quickened my pace to overtake another runner. "Just one more hill to go." I was moving really well at this point, knowing that there were mere minutes separating me from an icy cold gatorade. There was a guy a hundred meters down the road beginning his push for the finish line, so I ran hard to catch him and pass him.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/homestretch.jpg
For the last minute of the race, I don't remember feeling my legs or my lungs at all. It was amazing. Wife said I looked possessed. haha! Let's just say I was focused.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/lastturn.jpg

nothin'

A little dry-heaving.

Some stretching.

Lots of wandering around.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/postfinish.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/award.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/award2.jpg

The BT Posse!!
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/Super_Suby/BTWOOT.jpg


being just an OK swimmer was the difference between winning, and second place.


Loved how big this race was. It was fun having all the hoopla around. Great post-race food!!! nice plaques. cool dri-release shirt. everything was positive about this race, especially the weather!