This was not a good swim. I have had absolutely no swim training consistency since I've moved to Austin. Basically, I can go the distance, but I'm not at all fast right now.

Right off the bat, I had problems with my goggles. My left side filled up almost completely less than a minute into the swim. I had to stop and empty/readjust it 3 times before I finally got a good seal. It wasn't a good start.

Once I got moving, I felt like I just couldn't push the pace. I have done no speedwork in the pool since last year. It certainly showed. I feel like I lost a LOT of time on the swim.

I managed to keep relaxed during the swim and didn't swallow any water right up until the very end. I got to the exit point, which was basically just a wooden platform extended into the water. I went to take a big breath before pushing myself up and inhaled some water. I came out coughing and gasping for air. Doh!

I need to learn how to swim.

The transition time includes a run across the bottom part of the park and through the large transition area. The transition itself went ok, although I did have to strip the wetsuit by myself, which took a few seconds longer than I would have liked.

I ran barefoot with my shoes attached to the bike, which ended up not being an advantage because there were several people in front of me that I couldn't pass until after we were all on the bikes.

I'm really disappointed about this bike leg. In most events, I manage to place in the top 2-3%, yet I was a good solid 12-13% down the field. I started out strong, not going 100%, but still flying by people. I got through the first lap thinking I'd pick the pace up, but it seemed like the ride got harder and harder as it went. By the last lap, I felt like I was riding uphill the whole time, even on the gentle declines. I did notice some vibration and noise coming from the rear wheel. I wasn't sure if it was from my brakes or my tire rubbing the frame. I kept debating whether to stop or keep going and figured that even if I were to stop, I might not be able to quickly figure out what the problem was.

It wasn't until after the race that I realized the extent of the problem. I did a thorough bike check before I left to drop the bike off the day before the race, after which I put it on its side in the back of the Sequoia. When I got to checkin, it was raining very hard. Because I was in a hurry, I didn't do another pass of the bike. Apparently, the bike was sitting on the back brake, which had been pushed into the left side of the wheel. It was contacting hard enough that I couldn't even get the wheel to spin a full revolution by hand! This was a mental error that probably cost me 3-5 mins of bike time and probably some run time, as well.

Thoroughly check the bike over right before the race!!! Equipment problems suck, and are usually avoidable.

Once again, dismounting the bike with my shoes off didn't gain anything. I stood on one pedal and was about to head into transition in a fill sprint, when the guy in front of me drifted over into my path. He took his time unclipping and dismounting. While it didn't cost much time, It did cost 5-10 seconds.

Once I got into transition, I was able to quickly rack the bike and remove the helmet. I forgot my race number and had to go back for it, though! This mental error cost me a good 20-30 seconds.

Avoid mental errors! Make sure that transition is organized nicely. My race belt ended up under my wetsuit, so I didn't see it at first. It should have been laid out in plain view.

This run went exactly to plan. I knew I wouldn't be fast because I haven't done speedwork yet. I tried to pace myself. I ended up cutting a little bit of time off every mile I ran, with the last being just over a 7 min pace.

Nothing. My pacing was right on for the level I've trained at. I should be able to cut significant time off for Longhorn next month just from doing my speedwork.

I walked for about 10 mins, then picked up food from the various sponsor booths.


Once again, I lost quite a bit of time due to mental errors. I need to keep my head in the game. Part of it is that I haven't raced much this year.


This was a well organized race. It started right on time and was planned out very well. It's hard to believe that it was a first year event.