Started on the far left, about 5 people back. Felt really great throughout swim, and thought I was doing really well, but finished in bottom half of age group! Seemed like I was on a great, straight course.

Had a couple of guys swim over me, and another one threw a punch, which was pretty stupid (as I don't think it gave him any forward momentum and wasted his girly-man energy).

I think that I need to train harder for the swim, and quit cheating distances on my short back-yard pool. This is just an area where I probably need to focus more training.

This transition was exactly the same time as last year. I felt a little confused getting bike stuff together, for some reason. 417th overall, and 26th in age-group. Fumbled around with wetsuit around ankles for some reason. Also, nearly poked out an eye with sunglasses.

Maybe practice transition.

This was a really great ride for me. Followed Dr. Ricci's plan with great success. Actually vomited some Gatorade at the top of Old Stage, but swallowed it back down and kept cranking. This was the first triathlon bike ride where I was doing more passing then getting passed, so I was pretty pleased.

Ripped the downhill sections, especially the canyon and Nelson Road. Really flew.

Drank only a bottle & a half, but the Gatorade just wasn't doing it. Tried to grab a water at the aid station, but the volunteer jumped back like she was feeding a tiger by hand and dropped the bottle.

I might be able to go a bit faster if I had aero-bars and a tri-bike, but overall this was a super performance.

The D3 sharksuit made me very fast, but it's not not particularly subtle on the nards.

Hit the front brake a bit hard at the dismount, and it swung the back end of the bike around a bit. Some tool who wasn't getting off his bike at the dismount sign, and was flying with volunteers jumping out of his way, managed to smack into my bike. His problem, I gueass, but fortunately we all got through without a mess.

Good transition, nearly 41 seconds faster than last year, but good for 217th overall and 13th in age group.

I could have been more graceful getting off the bike, but otherwise this was a pretty quick transition. Again, practice might speed things up a bit.

Took it pretty easy on the half of the run, stepped up miles 3-4, gave it a bit more gas on 4-5, and let it rip from 5 through the finish. Passed way more runners than passed me. As Mike Ricci predicted, I reeled in about a half dozen racers in my age group by having legs for the run. The finish was just spectacular.

Managed to get confused by tearing my race number during the run, so next time I'd fiddle with it less. Also, Mike thinks I didn't suffer enough on this run, and I think that's right. So... next time more suffering. That might shave a couple of minutes.

Loved the freezing cold towel, and wanderedd down to the Res where I just walked in the water wearing all of my running gear. Went under water, and it realy helped cool things off.

Then, two slices of pizza, watermelon, banana, cream soda... I'm in heaven.


I think it's just a matter of sticking to the training plans and getting better over time. I think Mike Ricci's doing an amazing job, because I really didn't know if I could get into my goal range on this race (publicly I said that I wanted to beat 2:53, but really I hoped to come in under 2:45). That was just a great race for the second time I've done it, moving up from 44th in age group (out of 89) last year to 31st this year (out of 106).


What a wonderful, great day at the races. Nice to have a dramatic Personal Best! Thought about Sean (12 year old in a coma) during race, along with other friends who are suffering, and really let it out. Very happy with bike ride (doing more passing then being passed), and the same on the run. Very proud of this performance, actually.

Barry ran the race incredibly well. He's bummed about the funny/ratty t-shirts, but otherwise I think he has to be thrilled. Mike Ricci and D3 really are just amazing, as I never would have improved without them.