I moved up in the line a little but still not quite 1/2 way. This was a time trail start, 2 at a time. They also said that the alge was high this year.

Jump in the water and start pounding. My Team Javalin Suit top filled with water and seaweed from the start. Might as well through some fish in my top too.

Starting soo far back, I knew it was going to be people soup. I feel sorry for the people starting in front of me. I swam over everyone. I was a man on a mission.

Not register so early in the year when my swim times are still 2:10/100 (they are now at around 1:35/100).

Out of the water, ran to my crap, grap bike and go.

I'm now as minimal as I can get. Bike shoes are clipped in. Helmet, shades are the only other thing I need for the bike. I had the fastest transition of my age group. Booyah!

Flying mount and I'm off. No pass zone for 1/4 mile. That worked out perfect becuase it gave me time to get my feet into my shoes and let the HR drop a few beats.

Once I was out of the no pass zone, watch out! Man on a mission; coming through. Need to break 1:10. Sorry, can't stay to chat.

For the first 6 miles, I got real good at saying "on your left". I was hammering and passing. I'm surprised I didn't get a penalty becuase I was passing on left, right, middle, wrong lane, and all over the place.

Best pass of the day was when I left a guy in Zipp 808s in my wake. So much for race wheels.

About mile 7, I found a group I hung with for a few miles. At mile 10, I decided it was time to drop them and move along.

Not ease off between miles 7 and 10. That was probably a mental lapse.

Flying dismount. Into transition. Throw on socks (rolled 1/2 inside out for easy on), shoes. Grab hat and race belt. Off again.

Here is where the 1:13 versus 1:10 came into play. I can see a few things that worked against me here:
- I haven't done enough running off the bike. I know my coach will have me doign more of that.
- My running has been focused on my marathon training. Again, coach has me doing more speed play (fartlek, race pace, etc.) so this too should help.
- Looking at my HR, I was 3 beats below my LT. Which means I probably could have pushed myself just a little hard. Not 3 minutes hard, but harder nontheless.

D'uh - run faster fool.

After I sent out the search and rescue for my breath and HR, I ran back 1/4 mile to cheer my neighbor and others one. Then we hung out and caught up with a few others that I knew where doing the race.


Great course, great organization and great folks. Lots of tri-newbies so seed yourself up front if you plan on going fast. Otherwise, I will be doing race again.