This being my first tri I started towards the back of the 35-39 wave which was a mistake. I was constantly trying to find a way to get by. I'm sure that I should have been less timid.

Start closer to the front. Be more aggressive.

I really took my time in transition. For two days I had nightmares about forgetting my helmet, shoes, etc. so I was very deliberate. Everyone's time was pretty long due to a long run up a very steep hill to transition.

Practice more so I don't have the fear of forgetting something. Not wear bike gloves. I really did not need them on such a short ride. I also had a hard time getting my socks on so I would like to try doing sprints without them.

I rode the course three times before the race so I knew what to expect. I really wasn't nervous at the swim start but when I headed out on the bike I got a "oh crap I'm in a race!" moment. I took the first hill in the largest rear gear and kept trying to upshift. I stayed behind one guy almost all the way up Peachtree Industrial and really should have passed him but I got lazy. Early on I got passed by alot of people, including FallsRunner, but the last three miles I was able to catch alot of people (being 255 pounds really helps build speed on long downhills). I did finish the bike leg faster than I had in practice and am happy with my time.

Get my head on straight from the beginning. I even looked at my rear gearset to "verify" that I was in my lowest gear and just did not put it together. Also train alot more.

I sped things up a little in the second transition and felt like I did pretty well. Getting my bike gloves off took the most time. Having yanks on my shoes really helped.

Run with the bike to the rack. Run out of transition. Not wear bike gloves.

I had some cramping of my calves right out of transition and had to stop a couple of times to stretch. The first time I looked up just in time to see Steamy's vapor trail and she flew past. I ended up walking more than I had intended but I was really beat from pushing it on the bike leg. My time was still better than I had targeted though. The out-and-back format was nice because I was able to see fellow BTers on the run (though I had make sure that I was running when I passed them).

Train more. Stretch my calves before starting off.

Walked up and down the chute waiting for Neal and Meredith to finish.


Lack of training. I also need to improve my mental fortitude. I know I could have pushed harder.


I was very pleased with the overall race. I have only done one other race in my life (a 10K) and the atmophere here was far better. Things seemed well laid out, the course was nice, and there were lots of people around to tell me where to go. I went in hoping to beat 1:40 so I am very happy with my time. I'll definitely do this again!