Swim start was cool. It was a time trial start, with 3 people going at a time, running from the beach into the water. I lined up with two people I knew. JB, and Stephen. That got my competative fire stoked. Guy said go, and we were off. I had a good swim. No issues at all. Breathing, good. Sighting, great. All I really need to do is get faster, and work on my stroke through clinics or coaching. Same as last year, the sun was directly into our eys's on the homestretch. I had to sight off of others near me to even have a clue where I was going. I wore clear goggles. Probably not the best idea. Being that I had a specific race time goal that I wanted to meet or beat, I was acutely aware of my time and effort throughout the race. Coming out of the water at 31 min had me in range to get there provided my other events were strong.

Get faster, wear tinted goggles.

Longish run up from the beach. Not real significant, but something to note for time purposes. T1 went well. I just did what I needed to do. I also did not wear socks in this race and had no problems associated with that.

Nothing really. The spot could have been better, but that's part of the race. I was ok here.

My bike went well. On the way out, at about mile 1, My chain popped off the front. Got off my bike, had the chain back on, and was back on my bike within 20 seconds. I was back up to speed and back to the girl I was with within 3 minutes. I would say I lost a total of one minute, in chain time, then momentum etc. After that, I rode with one guy pretty much the entire race. We passed each other a number of times doing the back and fourth thing. I was passed by about two or three other bikers the entire race. Still being very aware of my time, I determined that I needed to finish the bike at the 1:51 mark (total race time), in order to hit my goal. That would give me 50 minutes to transition and run the 10k. It was tight, but I was more focused than I have ever been. I ended the race and ran through transition right behind the guy I was with the whole way, so technically, I guess he beat me. :)

Not much. It is probably time for a new bike chain so that is on me. Obviously, i'd like to get stronger, but to avg over 20 mph on that course is a feat that I can certainly be proud of.

This went well. This is where my rack location hurt me. I had to run ALL the way to the end of transition with my bike, in my bike shoes. That slowed me down a little. I really need to get out of my shoes while on the bike. Goal for next season. I also forgot my race number belt (AGAIN) .. dammit. :). That really didn't slow me down too much, but I did have to pin my number on my shirt while on the run.

Bring race number belt.. I'm an idiot.

So I left T2 with my goal still in reach, but in order to reach it I would have to run equal to or better than my best 10k ever. Last year, same course, I ran a 53 min 10k. That would not work this time. All this was in the back of my mind. I made the tactical decision to not look at my watch, and to just run as fast as my legs and mind would let me. I felt good from the word go. I took the hills as if they were flats, and the flats as if they were downhills. I've never felt stronger in a race. Running a few sections where there were actually tents, was cool. Me and two other guys were going at it for position through there, so some people got a good show and they responded. That helped motivate me and I dropped these guys on the uphill coming out of the second camping section. After that, it was on. I knew I was having a good run, but I didn't know how good. I was tempted to look at my watch to see if my goal was still reachable, but I decided that was too risky mentally. I saw steamy out on the course, and that motivated me even more. I knew I couldn't catch her, but I also knew that meant our times were close. I yelled something over to her which she says was not very nice. I don't really remember what it was. Something to the effect of "you better move your a$$ cause I'm going to catch you". She was headed up the most difficult hill at that point and I was running down it, so maybe that wasn't so nice. :) anyway, once I got back to that hill I decided to take it.. Marine Corps style. Attack it. I reached back to my Marine traning and ran that hill as fast as I could. Suprisingly I was little effected once I got to the top. From that point it was a matter of finishing strong. With knowledge of the course from the year before, I was able to make great decisions. I finished strong, and crossed the line. It was a few seconds before I looked down at my watch. I knew I was close, but unsure if I did it. I looked and my watch read 2:36:25. Not only did I beat my goal, I crushed it. In the process, I ran my fastest 10k ever.

Bottle it. Learn from it. Save it. Whatever it was, I did it all the right way. It also helps to have a goal other than 'I would like to beat last years time' which most of my goals are.

Met up with Steamy and we waited for the rest of the group to come in. I needed a few minuted to gain my composure, but that was all good.


Should be rephrased to 'what aided my ability to perform faster'. Exact same course as last year, and I beat last years time by 19 min.


Tugaloo is a really good race. It's a difficult course, but that's what I want in a race. Sometimes easier, sometimes difficult. I sign up for this one knowing what it's all about. I'd like to do it every year, but next year it will probably fall within a week of IM MOO. Chances of me doing it are slim. This is my Oly PR and I could not be happier with how my day turned out.