I hate pool swims, but if you have to do them this is a great pool for it. I hate that people don't pace themselves appropriately but what can you do? It slowed me down having to pass on the outside constantly. I can't complain though, the swim felt ok.

Nothing. Maybe seed myself faster.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new tri shoes on the bike. For 2 season I had been using old roadie shoes and having only 1 big fatty strap and the loops really helped to get my feel into the shoes on the move. It really saves so much time to have your shoes already clipped into the bike when you're running out of T1.

nada. Maybe rubberband the shoes to help jump on easier.

I'm really bummed with my bike split. About 2 miles in I ran over, of all things, a helmet sticker that had come off somebody in front of me. It stuck to my wheel, went around a few times, and then firmly and squarely wedged itself between my brake pad and tire causing annoying friction and squeaking. I tried to lean forward and pick it out while riding but it wouldn't budge. I made the decision not to stop though and hammered through it. The hills were also brutal! It's much flatter here in Chicagoland so I really had no good way of being prepared for these monsters. This was also my first time riding outdoors off the trainer this season.

I guess one of the reasons we do early season races is to work out the bugs. I would have liked to average at least 1-2 MPH faster on the bike, but nobody to blame but myself.

Yankz. Must buy new Yankz. I was too lazy to go to the store and buy a new set last week and it burned me in T2. Having to stop and tie shoes ate way way way too much time. Also, my shoe came untied on the run and it sucked having to stop and re-tie.

Again, nobody to blame but myself. There's a reason why I don't race with laces, this just served a nice reminder up to me.

I am very disappointed with myself here. My shoe came untied costing me precious seconds and I really don't feel like I pushed myself as hard as I could have. I thought I was running pretty hard at the time but when I saw the split time I knew I could have done better.

Next time I'll pay closer attention to the clock to make sure I'm not sandbagging it!

Drank some water and ate a granola bar.


When I crossed the finish line I felt way too fresh and didn't have the slightest bit of soreness, 2 signs that I didn't push myself hard enough. It's the first race of the season though, I guess it served it's purpose for me to see what bugs need to be worked out.

Equipment. I need to get yanks, that would have shaved a minute off my time right there. Also, my G-shock broke over the winter and I've been procrastinating buying a new race watch. Had I been able to see my time during the run I may have turned up the heat.


I LOVE this race! HFP always puts on fantastic, safe, well organized events and I give them an A+ for this. Much love goes out to all the volunteers...college kids who got up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday to stand at intersection or pass out water, you guys are the best! Thanks to the OPD for blocking off the traffic on the bike course, and much thanks to the bike techs from Cincy Trek for saving my bacon before the race.