I started at the back of my wave, intentionally. Lainey said "Yep, you were at the back all right. For a while!" I finally caught a few feet from the wave after about 300m, and actually passed (I think) a few folks in my wave. Approx. 20min to the right turn buoy (not sure if it was placed halfway or not). I actually started getting a terrible headache at about 32 minutes, and started getting nauseous. Not sure if it was goggles too tight, or the swim cap, or what, but I was glad to get out of the water. Goggles were no problem, only a very slight amount of water in them at the end. This was my longest OWS, and no wetsuit as compared to the 750m 19:22 at White Lake

MORE SWIM TRAINING!

Not so good T1. I did not hit my time goal. Some time was consumed getting everything in the white bag to go back downtown (15-20 seconds). Tried to consume a little vanilla Gu in a flask, but it wasn't going down...
Third gear was just right for the start.

Stick to Heed throughout the race. It works. Period.

Hills right out of the gate once we got on Stoney Point. Took me about 3 miles to get my legs about me (about the end of the first climb). Lots of traffic to navigate (silly BMW that would NOT pass cyclists!) Made some early passes then settled into a rhythym, especially on the 4-lane portion of Shelby Rd. Long climb on Kings Mtn. Blvd is where things started working, and I made up some time. Long uphill at mile 13.5 made me laugh! Wow! Single-digit speeds, granny low. Took a water bottle at the handoff, and got ready for more climbs. Hardest climb was on Pinnacle, and this was after my drivetrain began it's popping protest. Saw the wife and kids on the side of the road with Cat and her girls cheering me and Paul on (Paul finished sub-3 hrs) at the top of the Pinnacle climb, and all I could say was "LISTEN TO THE BIKE, IT'S BROKEN!" Duh.
I think top speed on the bike was around 43 at one point. Lowest speed around 9? :)

FIX THE BIKE! It started going POP POP POP at mile 18.

About took myself out when my wheel hit my shoe running off the bike. A fairly decent transition. Everything was where I needed it to be.

Still working on this...

Hit the "ate something too soon to racetime" wall at the end of the bike, and it carried over to the run. DO NOT EAT WITHIN 3 HOURS OF THE RACE!! I had terrible side stitches on the run, left side. Both thighs were cramping. Had to walk a considerable amount. 9:18? Come on, I can crawl faster than that!! I've been training in the 7:40s. Would have been nice if I could've yakked and gotten on with the race.

See above.

none. found the family. found a cold, wet towel for my head and some water, and a diet coke. found my two transition bags and hit the road for the hotel for a much-needed shower. quarter-pounder with cheese in Belmont was my recovery meal...


concern over the popping in my bike on the last 9 miles. It made it, but it will go in for service. Absolutely poor nutrition planning made the bike and run suffer.


Hope to do this race again next year, with better planning!