It's a mass start and I started with Taylor K to the left of the ski ramp. Got a bit crowded just before the cannon. Went out moderately hard for a buoy or two, but it was pretty much a washing machine for at least 400M. I kept trying to find a little clear water to swim in which was working ok. Total cluster at the first turn buoy as expected. I heard mooing as is the tradition, but I mooed underwater. :D I got punched in the chest, chin and eye. I also got cut on my left hand by a woman's fingernail! The back half seemed a little better for finding pockets of clear water to swim. I got hit/tugged/pulled on the most on this leg. It was choppy on the back half and final leg. The last bit is where I got to actually swim with minimal contact as most folks were being pushed off course toward shore by the current/wind Happy to see 1:12:xx on the clock when I exited the lake, because while I have been feeling awesome and fast of late, this swim felt slow and flat. Peed twice while swimming.

Swim more! I really have not been consistent until recently on the swim. I think I can get to sub 1:10 if I just keep working on my stroke and don't take six-nine months off!

Helix was a tough jog! I trotted along not knowing how far (didn't walk it before hand) , got my bag quickly and into the room. My volunteer unrolled my sleeves which I didn't want, but otherwise it was fine. Toweled off, put socks on, envelope in my jersey because it was chilly, then ran in socks all the way to my bike. Found out my watch never started and messed with that, put shoes on when they grabbed Fiona and trotted to mount line, started 520 and down the helix I went.

I really didn't have a rock solid plan for the weather and helix. If I do the race again I will be better prepared to move more efficiently since I have actually run threw all the spaces now.

Also, to save more time, practice using triathlon mode on the watch!!!

Gut was off and HR was very high for the first 1.5 hours vs. the first 20' after swim. I tried to back off and ride smart to settle the gut and bring hr into line. Tough to do with the layout of the course. Launched my nutrition bottle twice in the first couple miles and had to retrieve it since I used concentrated Infinite this time round. Just changed out my saddle mid August and still had some discomfort on my right side. Glutes were fiery and angry for the first time this year, including camp here, but not sure why? Was stupid and rode all the way up Barlow. HR spiked to 177 and power was in mid 300's. Not my smartest idea, but I was in the middle of the lane and not really clear to just stop. It was fantastic to see Terry at Midtown, Coach R and Mariah at Mt. Horab, ride with SS for a bit, see Bobby, Michelle, Taylor. The crowds on Midtown were awesome! I heard the Buchers, Jen and Julie yelling! That was cool! On loop two I hit 49.9 on a down hill...that's a pr! I had to stop and use a porta-pot at mile 50 as I still can't pee on the bike. Stopped at SN's too and saw Cujo who I gave my crackers too and grabbed my rolaid and had a sip of coke hoping to settle the gut. Somewhere in there my glutes got grumpy. I should have taken tylenol out there...I did on the run and it helped.

Over all I did ok, but was hoping for about a 6:20-6:25.

Really should have walked up half of Barlow. Spiked my hr and watts. My VI was stupid high. I really worked on that at the local metro park, but clearly did not a) have the watts to be more consistent b) coasted more than I should have.

Prep for LP, while the course is laid out very differently, will continue to focus on FTP improvement and smoother VI riding on all long rides.

I will also have to figure out the nutrition issue. I really thought I had a program, but clearly, that is not the case. I also hope more consistent training eliminates or limits the erratic higher heart rate I've experienced off and on over the last couple years.

Dismount went fine, trotted into the bag area, got my gear and headed to room. Was surprised to have my roomie from Boone Rachael help me! Such a boost to see her! She got my go bag and rolaids for me, I got my socks off, put on fresh ones,pulled on the shoes and headed out. I needed to hit the port-pot so I did that, and did my go bag stuff too. Just stayed a little long waiting for some thing to happen to relieve cramps but no. Terry A gave me a monster hug and told me Bobby was just up ahead! That was awesome!

Do the go bag on the run, not in the loo. LUBE THE CRAP OUT OF MY FEET!!! Otherwise, not much.

Started with stomach cramps and walked at miles and aid stations with Bob for a couple miles (past Camp Randall) Staying with him and walking more in the beginning I know this helped me run stronger when it cooled down a bit and the belly finally settled. Got blisters in there somewhere again on my right foot. I also took tylenol some where out there and it worked well. Should have started that on the bike when the glutes decided to talk to me for the first time all season! Got tums and biofreeze at SN's and used the biofreeze right away on the glutes, which helped a bit. Saw a lot of folks out there...Michelle, Bob,,Johnny Scribby, Potter, Corey, Taylor, Laura, Wardo, Raul, Ian, Lindsey,Teri, Scott, SS, and lots more EN'rs. It was great seeing Suzy and getting a hug, and my friends who worked Aid #2 Kimm and KL, Julie, Jen, Kathy and Deanna and Loren too! The town really is out there cheering for all the IM nerds. Great energy, costumes and vibes! Base Salt crew rocked it too out on the path where it wasn't quite as populated as in town. Nice. I did not know the aids were not on or near the mile markers which had me walking more early on the run, but unless it was a hill, I didn't walk on the second half. A big highlight was running holding hands with Mariah...she was great..I complained (blisters, tummy, everything hurts boo hoo) and she just was all smiles and positivity and goodness. Loved that! Saw Rachael the Giraffe again and focused really hard the last 3 miles into town (after a good mojo dog pet!) and brought it home. I was so happy to see the shoot and finish this thing!

Not stop to chatter so much with Kimm and KL second time through...they were heading out and I was too chatty. Take tylenol sooner. Find that mental focus sooner. Log more training runs over 13 miles!

Hung out with Coach R for a bit in the catching area, and just chilled. Then got chocolate milk with Patrick and Cujo from the wonderful Deanna, then head back to clean up. I headed back to the finish to see Bob, Johnny, Taylor and Lindsey finish and party in the power hour!


Lack of longer run training, once again the darn nutrition thing. I may invest in a nutritional consult or plan since I am back on the the gut problems train. The stupid diet I chose to do early in the season, and the crash in early June. The plan is a SOLID build for IMLP and better execution on the day with NO GUT ISSUES!


IM Wisconsin lived up to all the hype. With one of the last mass starts, the epic climbing and support on the bike, and great run all through town and even into Camp Randall Stadium, it is a winner! I am so impressed by those who chose it as their first! (Over 800 of the 2800 this race!!!) Of course, racing with all my teammates local and EN, and friends always makes the day for me, no matter the outcome. I may come back to taste this beast again and see if I can do better!