All of sudden I found myself up front and dead center. Thought oh great right in the thick of things. Headed out well. Guy over on my left and right. Sprinted hard so as not to be run over. No sweat. My swimming was good. Soon had someone drafting off me for the entire first leg. A tap on the toes every third stroke or so. No big deal. Just means I'm faster then him. Passed lot of the wave ahead. Caught up with some of the first wave before turn. Felt bad for some of those struggling to move in the water. The bottom came up fast at the finished. THEY HAD STRIPPERS. No wetsuit strippers. Made sure to hold onto my shorts. The kids did a good job. Didn't wear my jersey. No chaffing, NICE.

Not much!

Well me and the bike were having some words to say the least. For some reason whether it be trail up in the rain or dropped on the ground "Torrie" and I were not in sync. I let her sleep inside near me, what gives?
Wet suit off with shorts still on-CHECK
Correct ilse-CHECK
Towel dry quickly-CHECK
Jersy on-arm stuck
Socks on-had to wipe the pine debris off feet.
Glasses and helmet on-CHECK
Gloves-CHECK
Unrack bike-CHECK
Run to exit-OH NO! Check to the left full of guys. TO the right free running. Hit the astro truff and out go the feet. Down goes the bike, Down goes Dexter. Nice twist of the ankle and a few gear gouges. Volunteer helps me up, I give the towel that is still over shoulder, you know like when you do the dishes. Ankle still functioning I comment I should slow down a little to get my feet under me. She agrees. Hit the mount line and can I clip in NOOOOO!!!!!!!!! What a dummy. Finally clip and get in bike. Feel sorrfor anyone behind me as I was weaving all over the road. Sorry people.

Get co-ordinated. I tell people I'm a triathlete because there is only a few movements repeated thousands of times. Guess I have to start practicing transitions more right after training.

Started out with a poor clip in but got better for a while. I can't manage Sport beans on the bike. I bet the skunks will enjoy them. More on the road then the mouth. I gave up. Being fast on the swim gets you set up to be passed non-stopped. I understand it and it doesn't really bother me until, I have to pass someone. Pass BT aide station and get a big cheer!! Every race should have one. You guys were great!!

THE BIG FAT DUM BA$TARD. I got to Devil's Hill waved to the nice lady dressed in RED head to foot waving some big dinner fork and sporting a nice tail. OK it's steep but not long. Being slower then the rest of the people around I stick to the right. Half way up the hill I'm behind a guy walking his bike. OK I can pass him. As I turn to look if I can get around safely he decides to stop and try to get on his bike in the middle of the HILL!! CRASH!! All of sudden I'm looking to hit the ground as soft as possible without hurting him to bad. THE STUPID IDIOT!!!!!!!!!! As I lie ther trying to undo my clip that is under the bike. He takes off. Nice A$$HO(E. Just then I hear oops as some guy misses me as I sit up just in time. Decide after one attempt to walk to the crest and get on. If I could have caught the guy I would have wrung his neck, or at least kick him sideways.

The rest of the bike was good. Except I can't get into my bike gear in the back and stay there. Ugh! Nice rolling hilss and good amount of volunteers. Grab water at the aide station. Nice to have a bottle to grab on the fly. Fuel and water well. Some nasty ruts and potholes. miss most. Need to have the little flask of gel easier for me to handle. Nice to see the finish and dismount well and half jog in. Need ne pedals soon.

Not crash!! Stupid %&#@($%(*@&$ *#(@%&

Took my time. I really wasn't looking to be first. Decided to sit on someones bucket and put new socks on and rest a moment. May have been a bad move as looking back my legs kinda tighten up hard.

Move a little faster though to keep the blood flowing

Ahhh I liked it kinda. My legs would not loosen up. Maybe to long in transition standing around. You come out onto the beach. Boy that sand is hard to run in on stiff legs. FOr the fist time in a race I walked. It really felt OK. Walked ran a little here and there. Then I heard the Cowbells of the BT aide station. I began to run again. As I was passing by I Mike say hey he's a BTer and the cheer went up. Got all the water and Gatorade I wanted. Gave some inspiration for a while. Then a little walk. At the top of the hill just before the turn around was another cheering squad. It's great people come out to cheer you on. Turn around I go. Back to the BT station which I run to again and get a welcome kick in the pants. At 2 miles left I picked up the pace and think of Dan and how told I have to run today. I bring it home and feel good.

Have my family at the finish line. Little disappointing not to see Yoshi and Will. Not run a race two night before.

Walk around wrap a cold towel around neck. Banana and water. Head back to the booth and try to decide how long it will be before I have to pee. Drink more. Get my bike and something to eat. Hang out till 3:00 after calling Yoshi and Will. Stand in the cold legs to soothe my aches. Headed back to stay one more night. Got pizza and a beer. Aches and pains were little. The ankle hurts a little.


Stiff legs on the run and the CRASH!


Nothing was better then being there with Mike and Madie. Ron and Carol too! If Y and Will were here even better. I enjoyed meeting people I have chatted with for so long. Pat was like the first person to inspire me even if it was to yell at me for telling her to get some sleep. I must of met a dozen or more BTer's, all great people. It was the best aide station ever!
The race is put togather well and the volunteers and staff are great. Wish there was a little more room at the finish line as it is crowded in the woods. The lake is beautiful and scenery on the courses are awesome. The "bunk house" left a little to be desired and isn't what it is cracked up to be. We had fun at the pub.