This is the very first race where I can say the swim went well. I really like swimming in the bibjohn only--lots of freedom for my arms and shoulders but still plenty buoyant. For the first time I felt like I had another gear if I wanted to speed up to get by someone in my way (instead of just slowing down to get clear of traffic). Good breast stroke around boat and great finish through weeds until my hand was touching sand.

Nothing

Not terrible, but getting suit off took a little time of course. My main problem was getting going out of T1. There was some chaos of people slipping off their peddles and one hitting a cone or can. I had some trouble getting clicked in. Maybe I should consider trying to transition with my shoes already on the peddles (with a run/jump start). I probably shouldn't have taken the time to wipe my feet off, but I thought that having sand and rocks in my shoes might bother me. I guess if I had started with my feet on top of my shoes I could wipe them off by hand while on the bike.

For a sprint race where I'm not wearing socks, it might be worth starting the bike with shoes clipped into the peddles.

Wreck! Forgot to activate the front brake lever after putting front wheel back on this morning. Toward the end of the bike are some sharp turns around some garages (with just a single lane width). I slowed some and made a 90 degree right, and prepared to make a 90 degree left. I couldn't get slowed enough with one brake, locked up the back brake, slid into the curb, and went over the bars. The worst part was the time required to get my chain back on. I banged my left knee pretty good and just scratched up the aerobar shifters a little. Other than that the bike was good. My heart rate was in zone 5 the whole way out, but that didn't seem to hurt me later on.

Be sure to depress that front brake lever and slow enough for dangerous turns.

I flew by people at the dismount area by having feet on top of shoes and then both legs to left side of bike. I ran with the bike well and then got run shoes on OK.

Little

Not bad. Maybe could have pushed just a little harder. Had some energy left at the end, and my heart rate was in a much lower zone compared to the bike.

Push harder

Just a light massage


Great event. I just wonder how I could have done without the wipeout. My computer also had the bike course longer than 13.5 miles. I'd love to improve enough to go under 1:10 next year.