Starts were based on the time you listed for a 300 meter swim. I was the 230th starter and people were starting 8 seconds apart so it was a bit of a wait but once I got in the water I quickly passed the girl who started in front of me. I think I went out a little too fast in the first 50 meters but then settled into a comfortable pace.

Not go out as fast and spend some more time in the pool. I really neglect that aspect of my training.

The rain has just started as I came out of the pool. Decided to go without glasses and gloves. Other than that, I was happy with this transition.

Nothing really

The roads were just getting wet when I left on the bike. The rain started and stopped based on where I was on the course. I was happy with my performance but I think I was a little tentative knowing that the roads were slick and that I had zero treading on my tires. These are roads I ride a lot and I think that helped. I knew where the hills were. It was hard to see sometimes because the rain was hitting me in the face.

Have the ability to control the weather. Drink more. I think because the temps were cooler than I am used to, I forget that I still sweat and need to replace hydration. I don't think I even had half of one of my bottles on the bike.

I tried taking my feet out of my shoes before the dismount. I know, never try anything new on race day. I got my shoes undone at the right time but waited too long to take my feet out. I did it though, it just wasn't pretty.

This off season I am going to practice the whole getting into and out of the shoes while on the bike thing.

Let the downpour begin. When I left on the run, it was sprinkling but not too heavy. It took about 1/4 mile for my legs to come to me and I had to stop once to take off my shoe and fix my sock. It was bunched up in my shoe and really uncomfortable. Because my socks and shoes were wet I was not able to flatten it without taking the shoe off. My legs finally came back to me and I felt good. It continued to sprinkle until I got to the turnaround at the 1.5 mile point and then the skies just opened up! It was actually not too bad running in the rain. I liked it!

Make sure my socks are not twisted before I put my shoe on. Just keep running and getting better.

Found Steve, Haley, Aaron, John and Mandi hunkered down under some big umbrellas. Decided that it did not make sense for all of us to stand there in the rain. Steve and John went to get some stuff for breakfast and Haley, Aaron and I waited for the awards. Finally the times were posted and guess what...I GOT HARDWARE! Finished 3rd in my AG! My first hardware (aside from finishers medals)! The cool thing was that I race in Athena 40+ and my time was third fastest of all athenas. That's right, there were no under 40's who had as good a time as I did! Aaron finished 3rd in his AG so we both walked away with hardware.


The rain is the only thing


The race was a halloween theme and they really did a great job with that. They played halloweenie music in transition. The lights at the pool were turned down and there was a fog machine. The volunettrs at the aid station were all dressed in costume. And the RD was a not so attractive Carmen Miranda. Even with the rain, people were having a great time. Several people wore costumes on the run. There were a bunch of ballerinas, a cherleder, Superman and a scary guy just broke out of jail to race. After the race, they had pancakes! Oh yeah, saving this till the end because only a few will read this far...most embarssing race moment, a 10 year old (yes, I said 10) passed me with about 50 yard to go. If he didn't weigh 40 pounds and was 4 foot tall I would have heard him and kicked it up a notch :)