Swimming is not my strength, so my goal was to beat last year's swim time of 6:43 in the swim. Swimmers were starting every 10 seconds, and bunching up didn't end up being a problem. I managed to draft off of the person ahead of me, and whoever was supposed to be after me didn't show up, making for a comfortable and seemingly quick swim. Turned out to be quick afterall b/c I beat last year's time by 50 seconds. Good to see the swim has improved somewhat, and that I was actually in the top half of the age group.
Last year: 20/25
This year: 20/44

Swim faster? Otherwise, nothing.

Longish run from the pool to the transition area. Always nice to see my wife after finishing the swim. Wore the tri-top during the swim, so I didn't have that to mess with.
Last year's T1 time: 2:47. Minute saved.

Think about training to go sockless for sprints.

Last year, I did the ride with my mountain bike and slick tires, so I knew I should easily beat last year's time with the road bike. Got up to speed quickly, and other than almost dropping my water bottle three minutes into the ride and nearly riding into the curb trying to recover, it was a fairly uneventful ride. Passed a bunch of people, didn't get passed by any. Compared to the Columbia Tri bike course, this is a nice, flat ride, which probably meant I took it a little easier at some points than I should have. And the wave swim start means that you see fewer people on the course, and I'm always more motivated when there are others around. Beat last year's bike time of 38:28.
Last year: 19/25
This year: 15/44

(Also, both this year and last, the bike computer had the course at 12 miles, but I'll take the 21.3 average they're giving me!)

Push it a bit harder.

4th fastest T2 in the age group. Last year's T2: 1:18. 30 seconds saved.

Nothing. My best T2 so far.

I knew coming in off the bike that unless I totally blew up on the run, I would easily beat last year's finish time. Grabbed a cup of water on the way out of the parking lot and at the halfway point, taking a few sips and dumping the rest on my head and down my back. Only one person passed me on the run, nobody from my AG. Picked off a few more people as I picked it up for the final stretch. Saw my sister and niece as I headed down to the finish chute, so I'll probably have a goofy smile for the finish photo. I felt like I wasn't moving especially fast, but this turned out to be my best tri running pace so far. And I beat last year's run time of 25:29.

Last year: 13/25
This year: 15/44

Push it harder sooner.

Grabbed some powerade, cookies, orange wedges, and met up with my sister and niece. Saw my wife, Noony, head out on the run, then cooled down and watched for her to come in and finish her tri.


Nothing. No complaints here.


This was my second time doing this race, and it was our first tri ever a year ago. So it was great to see progress over the last year as I did every segment faster and beat last year's time by 8 minutes.

Of the three Set-Up tris we have done, this is by far the best organized and the most fun. Will probably do it again next year.