At 28:38, I'm really happy with my performance, especially considering this was my first OWS and first time in a wetsuit this season (it just wasn't going to happen at this time in Wisconsin any earlier.)

Even though I was satisfied with my time, I definitely left some extra seconds-- if not minutes-- on the course. My navigation was pretty shi++y, often meandering to my right. I probably also need to focus more on stretching ahead and swimming in the first quadrant. That's basically nitpicking on a solid performance though. I also tried to stand up too early and got stuck in the muck before reaching the concrete of the boat drop-off. That sucked.

I definitely left some time here, mostly because I'm just out of practice. I had a little trouble with getting the wetsuit off, and I forgot to unzip it at my calves which made things harder. Also, one thing that may have hurt me later was losing an electrolyte gelpack that I had taped to my top tube somehow during transition. i really could have used the extra calories and electrolytes and I think it cost me later on the run. I found the gel at my transition spot after the race, so I'm not sure how it came off.

I have to unzip my wetsuit at the calves right away and probably practice running in my wetsuit. I also need to figure a better way to secure my gels to my bike than duct tape.

Official race results show my average as 20.8, so I'm not sure which figure is accurate. The fact is, this was a great performance for me so early in the season, especially considering I have as yet done no real speed training for shorter course yet this year. If I'm going to nitpick, I may have gotten too excited about my speed on this flat course and hammered a little too hard which may have hurt me for the run. However, the more I consider things, i think my sucky run was due to poor nutrition and insufficient electrolytes.

I was actually surprised to see my age ranking was so low considering how I felt I did. however, this was an extremely competitive field, probably the most competitive I've ever raced in. That also meant the tweaked out, all-carbon, racing disc-decked out bikes were out in force. I felt some serious bike inadequacy after this one, not even having aerobars on my trusty road steed.

I kept a good high cadence and was good about resiting doing too much mashing.

The only thing I'd do differently is upgrade to a tweaked out bike. I think it's just getting to that point.

This transition was just piss poor for me at the point I've reached. Someone laid their wetsuit across my wheel holder, so that cost me time. i also had to dig in my bag for a gel to make up for the one I lost, then gulp it down with Gatorade, and I basically just farted away time.

Next time, I won't lose a gel and I'll just move it quicker.

Da**, where to begin? Right from the get go, I knew it wasn't going to be my day on the run. I'd done only one brick this season and that hurt me, although I knew what to expect. I just felt like I had nothing in the tank from the start, which I blame on inadequate nutritiion and losing that gel pack. I also think I have to begin experimenting with electrolyte nutritional supplements, especially to prepare for the HIM.

The hills just killed me and wound up walking up three of them which I don't ever have to do. A couple of times I couldn't help it because my hamstrings just cramped up into knots I could actually feel. I kind of expected this was going to happen as the same thing happened Saturday while playing with Rainer in the hotel pool, even though I was drinking Gatorade all day in prep for the race. That's a nutritional issue I have to address.

My heartrate was also up over LT consistently and I couldn't get it down, which I think is partly symptomatic of not being used to the heat. Just really, really disappointed in this run and it cost me a PR.

I've got to experiment with better nutrition (e-caps, etc.) and make a point of doing bricks now that it's getting warmer outside. I should also run more hills. I also noticed that mentally I was just not on top of my game. Normally, there is no way I would allow myself to walk, but between the cramping and heat, I gave in.

Warmdown? I stopped, keeled over and nearly puked.


Biggest limiters were not being used to the heat, not doing bricks and possibly going a little hard on the bike. I also need to figure out my nutrition.


For me, this was kind of a bittersweet race to begin the year. On one hand, I'm very happy with my swim and bike. I guess I also have to be happy I came within 20-seconds of my Oly PR during my first race of the season.

On the other hand, I left a lot of time on the course and my run absolutely sucked, considering how much I have worked to improve it. I was in position to blow my previous PR out of the water and start the season on a real high note, not to mention boost my confidence going into my first HIM, which is now just 8 weeks away. Instead, I am left with some issues and ???'s I'm going to have to address going forward.

The race itself was a terrific event, very well organized. The after-party was also great with a fantastic food spread, including Corky's BBQ. There was even live music. If I do it again with the family, I'll have to remember to pack a tent to provide them a base and some shade which was a rare commodity on the grounds. A few more toys for the guys would also be a good idea.