I went out way too fast with some other Tri Team members and never recovered. I was 3/4 done with the swim before I could do my normal 4 stroke breathe routine. I was also concentrating on sighting and I think raising my head so much was dropping my legs and killing my stroke. This swim time was a 3 year low for me and let me know the rest of the day was going to be just awesome.

Be more patient! I was sooo pumped for this race and felt like I blew it in the first 100 meters.

Put on socks in T1 that took about 30 seconds. I normally have a long T1 so this time was not bad. I also threw down a couple of endurolytes.

Not much in T1

I had some trouble the first 4 miles. I don't know what it was but the legs would just not pump with any power and then BOOM! It was like a switch was flipped. I rode the last 10 miles extremely well and don't remember seeing under 19 mph during that time. Towards the end a couple of guys with discs passed me going down a hill. I caught them both on the uphill climb. It was my only highlight of the day.

Try to get some leg kick to happen sooner!

I tied my shoes so that took a little extra time.

Try and stretch more in T2

I knew I had problems leaving T2. Both calves were cramping like I have not felt in a LONG time (first tri actually). My left leg cramped all the way out to the road- about a mile. I just had to peg-leg the first mile as best I could. The final 2 miles were actually fun to run and I passed alot of folks going back through the woods.

Nothing

Walked around, drank some Coke, talked with friends.


I was off in the swim but something was VERY off physically for the bike and run. I had been gone for a week 2 weeks prior to this race but all the workouts the week before the race went well. I tried Liquid Endurance in this race and maybe it does not work so well for me. That's the only thing that makes sense for the cramping I had in my legs off the bike. For 2 days after the race I could not walk normally because of the calf soreness and that is most unusual for me.


I gave this race a 4 because now I think the WL Half is the best race I have done. However, this race is at least a 4.5. The event is organized so well and is in such a good location it is hard to beat. The best thing about it is I get to see lots of my friends I don't see much of over the year. Jeff and Denise Bostic were there as well as so many of the Triad Tri Team. It kicks my butt but I do love this race!