Not bad. Passed about four and only got passed by a couple. It was difficult to pass in the first four lanes because they were two standard lanes divided in half with a rope, so they were narrow. Had to wait on one person - was ready to pass 10m before wall, but slowed down and waited till next lane. No big deal, I guess thats pool racing.

Go a little harder.

Ran pretty hard from pool to bike, but then took it easy since I didn't know if my ITB issue would let me finish the bike leg let alone the whole race. Dried off well - it was still quite chilly. I wore a T-shirt under my bike jersey, which worked out to be perfect for the temp.

Stretch. Should have spent a couple of minutes on ITB, but was excited to ride and forgot.

Learn to get started bike with shoes already clipped in.

Had a good time on the bike. For starters, I had no problems getting clipped in. Sometimes I do when I'm in a hurry. I only have 199 miles on the new bike and shoes and that includes today and a couple of trips to the LBS on the rack with the wheel spinning in the breeze.

I cruised up the first hill, over the interstate and then it was down the hill and out onto the flat. I cruised along pretty good. Had a little duel with one person, but basically concentrated on maintianing a good pace. Passed several and only got passed a few times. A little after the turn around I eased up a and had a gel. I did better this time than last with nutrition - took two gels and 24 oz. of fluid total (1/2 water 1/2 G-ade). Shortly thereafter, I saw getsome at his post. He gave me some words of encouragement as I rounded the corner. I don't remember what he said, but it worked 'cause I hit it pretty hard for a couple of miles till I noticed my ITB starting to feel tight and hurt a little. I tried to stretch and rub it while coasting, but that was little or no help, so I just kept going.

A little later I took the second gel and then back up the long hill, over the interstate, and back to the TA.

Stretch before starting. Also, I think I might get a different computer that shows cadence and maybe a HRM to help maintain a good pace.

Good transition except forgot to take one of two shirts off. Would have been ok with no shirt as it had warmed up quit a bit and no rule requiring one.

Stretch and maybe rack bike closer to bike exit.

Headed out on the run without stretching and had to stop about 200yds in. I stretched the ITB for about two minutes and was off again. At about the 1/2 mile mark I was getting warm so I decided to loose a shirt on the run. I've done this before, but of course this time the shirt was stuck and I was running blind for awhile.

At mile two my knee was starting to hurt, When I got on the city street at maybe mile 2.5 the pain increased dramatically within a few strides. It never got better after that, and was even worse on the few small hills and unlevel areas of the trail.

I think I ran the first two miles at a good pace, but then slowed down. I stuck with it and didn't walk regardless of the pain. About 500 yds from the finish a guy passed me going pretty fast and I picked it up and stayed about 20 feet behind him. When we were about 150 yds out I sped up, passed him, and sprinted to the finish. Hope I didn't pass him ofensively close to the finish.

Stretch. Take off extra shirt in TA.

I wasn't very fatigued at the end. I grabbed a bottle of water and walked a little, talked to my friends for a few minutes, and then waited for my wife to finish.


My ITB, my ITB, and my ITB. Oh yea, and a lack of training the last several weeks due to, you guessed it, my ITB.


I think this was a great venue. The pool was great, TA was nice and big, and the bike course was flat and fast. The run course was great in places, definately safe, but the unlevel parts of the trail and the cambered city street took a toll on my body. So, for me individually, the run course wasn't perfect, but overall it was a very good course.

I did see a few people cutting some corners on the run, and I also saw several gel packages on the bike course. That's just not cool.

I definately didn't finish in the top half of my AG, but considering I wasn't sure I could do more than the swim as recent as 10 days ago, I feel ok with my race. I'm glad my wife did this with me. It was fun to train together and we have plans to do this race again next June.

I tried to thank every volunteer on the course, but I know I missed a few. I think getsome made a good point when he said that he had raced all summer and now it was his turn to volunteer. Kudos to him and everyone else.

Motivational points:

1.) five miuntes faster would have meant 41 places better overall and six spots in AG
2.) spin on the bike and work hard - it will make a difference