Also finished 38/336 (overall) for swim. While I placed well, I wasn't real pleased with my time...and I think my swim time was slow in relation to my other tri's. Never real found any open water. Too often I had to shorten my stroke and navigate around swimmers. I brought the last 200 home strong as I got some separation, but when the swim's only 1/2 mile...the race ends fast.

Maybe start the swim on the fringe. My forte is endurance, NOT sprinting (relatively speaking), so I usually don't choose to take the first 100 out hard...maybe I should've considering the short distance. Also, I need to be more cognizant of where the bouys are. When the horn sounded to start the race, I charged into the water without really looking where I was headed. Had to do several jump strokes to find the first bouy. Luckily I was online.

Had issues getting my helmet on. Sheesh. It always goes on smoothly when I practice!

I choose NOT to throw on biker shorts over my speedo. Instead, I pulled on my running shorts. Arse got kind of sore for the last half of the bike. =)

Whoohoo! First time I maintained 20mph average! So happy. Know why? Because I had a new bike WITH aero bars. Wow. What a difference. Previous high MPH was 18.4. This was also the first time I felt like I was "racing". For the second half of the bike me and two other guys traded off positions...I took the lead going up hills, only to surrender it on the straight-ways. Thrilling. Also was able to hold onto my swim lead longer. Just not long enough.

I did have a problem with gearing. I couldn't smoothly shift into the big gear as the chain kept on popping; and fearing I'd get too much slack in it...I refrained from shifting into it. Bummer. I can't imagine how fast I could've gone if it were working properly. 21MPH? 22MHP? We'll see next year, I guess.

Good transition for me. Not having to shed my biker shorts made for a faster transition time.

Whoohoo! Another PR. First time at a race that I averaged under a 8 minute mile! And the last two miles of the race were trail! Felt strong coming off the bike...pulled the first mile at 8:11, second at 7:50, third at 7:42! Then the trails came. I was a bit ticked about this because I felt I had another gear in me and was going to really let it fly for the final two miles. I took the trails strong, though. Lucky for me they were very well groomed...and the grade didn't change much. Trails did have many twists and turns, though.

Once I hit the trails I didn't see anyone. Just me running through a forest. Weird. I think if the there were no trails I could've pulled a 7:30 pace.

Grr...yogurt. Post race food was rather poor. Also had bananas.


Ummm...the competition? If I knew ahead of time that I'd post top 5 swim time for my age, would average over 20MPH on the bike, and average under 8 minute miles, then I would say I would be near a top ten finish for my age...instead I finished 21/34. That bummed me out a bit, but everytime I thought of my bike and run splits...it brought a smile back to my face.

My swim time. I think I could've gone faster. Although that wouldn't have changed my position drastically.


A very well run race. Plenty of volunteers. Waterloo park was a very scenic place. The run and bike courses were mostly flat, yielding fast times...MANY spectators...they lined the last 50 yds of the run and urged the runners home. Only gripe was the food tent.