Overall pretty happy with swim. First open water swim, hung back and to side to begin then just got into a decent rhythm, had a little trouble with navigation a couple of times but overall ok. Need to get faster.

Maybe pick up pace a little towards end once I was sure I was not going to drown.

Decent transition, first race with clipless shoes, running in those was an adventure. Getting on bike not the easiest as it was uphill. Much better than first race, I think by a minute .

Pretty hilly course, nothing like I am used to training on, WO & D. Killed myself on first big hill right at start. Got out of saddle and pounded up it. As soon as I got to top felt the legs really burning and new I had made a big mistake, maybe what ended up killing me on the run. Took me a little while to get settled back down and did ok after that.

Got a piece of paper or something stuck in front wheel which ended up getting caught in brakes and was making an awful sound, tried to deal with it for awhile but eventually just stopped and got it cleard out, probably cost me a minute but no big deal.

Not go out too fast especially if uphill.

Getting off bike was a little scary, down hill, first time in clipless shoes, took it really slow so I did not eat it, which I almost did anyway. Wife said she saw several people wipe out. Dont know if it was the best setup considering it seemed like they had a flat part a little further up to put the mount/dismoutn line.

Nothing pretty happy. Forgot hat so had to go back, probably only cost me 10 sec.

This is what killed me. Very hilly, nothing like I train on. I was hot, do not know whether I drank too much/too little, too much/too little gel but about a quarter mile into second loop had to stop because I thought I was going to heave. Told myself I would not walk after first lap but could not hold out. Walked for about a minute or so then ran, at that point goal was to beat 30 minutes, 10 min mile. Ran as fast as I could for last quarter of mile.

Not burn out legs on bike, train hills, figure out hydration, gel thing.

Felt exhausted at end compared to Reston Sprint. Felt fine after five minutes in shade and some water and peanut butter cups. Also had bananna.




Training on hills, burngin legs on first 1/4 mile of bike.


Good race, more than I bargained for. Description of race said flat run course, so was not preparted mentally or physically for what I encountered. Would do it again.