Wasn't the greatest swim. I got lackadaisical a little instead of continually grinding at it. I think I went long as I went to the left of the yellow buoy at the cove like the RD seemed to have said but it seems that others were going to the right of the buoy with a diagonal to the next buoy. The water did get a little choppy later in the swim but that is no biggy.

Keep my concentration better and instead of following what the race director described (or what I thought he said) follow the other swimmers more.

Good transition. It was a good run from the cove to the T1 area. I was able to get my suit off fast... helmet right on w/sunglasses and quickly through my wetsuit and goggles in my bag and I was off.

Not really anything pretty good transition.

Started the climb out of Butcher Jones Cove really well and then started passing people. I felt like I was climbing well and then moving at a real good speed on a flat area when the guy in 2nd on the short course caught up to me. I then used him as motivation to crank it harder and gradually passed him up but later split ways with him when I had to turn and climb the pass again. There was a guy I yo-yo'd back and forth with too as he was a good climber and I was faster on the decents and flats. Ended up passing him in T2. Enjoyed cheering people from the BOP of the shorter race on as I went by them on my 2nd lap. It was neat to see them gritting it out as this was a tough race and anyone who was out there deserved props. Fun hilly ride.

Rode well... will keep grinding at those hills as one can only get better and better at climbing!

This transition they take your bike and helmet and hand your run bag to you. Put the shoes on and was off.

Nothing... I ran quickly past the one guy and got the 1 chair that was available and through my shoes, visor and race belt on and was gone.

Ran pretty well, after little into it though my lower back was hurting some but I kept grinding through it. When I got to run a little down hill my back eased up and felt good for a little. But of course there were more steep uphills all over the place. Twisting and winding. There were many spots were you come barreling downhill right at a cholla cactus.

Near the end of the first lap a lot of people where cheering saying "almost there." I would smile and say "nah, I get to do another lap." :)

Felt really good on the first lap and my plan was to make sure I could get to the finish before 5 hours rolled around. I took it easy up the switchbacks and then cruised on the down part then back up, then back down, then back up, then back down, then when I got to the part where you have to stop and climb up my left calf started morphing. It would keep morphing no matter what I did. I took extra gatorade and a gel at the remaining 3 aid stations but the morphing calf continued. It would go away a little but then would morph again. I walked up the last steep hill and then morphed my way over the river rocks to the finish. Did not have a kick left for this one!

Put down good for the run. I ran well at times but this was a real mean run and I laid down some grindage and did it pretty well. Was happy to see the finish.

Wished my truck was at the finish since I had "the stick" massager in there. (take that as you would like...) Then grabbed a beer and a slice of cold pizza. Then jumped in the swimming pool at the resort. Grabbed another beer. Did I mention that they have a keg of beer at the finish at this race? Hung out a little and cheered the others racers in as I drank another beer.


The course. It was a tough one. Oh... and my slow swimming abilities. Mental effort on the swim could have been better. (was good on the bike and run)


This is a great race. It is point to point on the swim and bike and has a brutal run course after a decently hard bike course. They billed it as "Arizona's TOUGHEST Triathlon" and I have to say it is the toughest one I have done in Arizona or anywhere for that matter. Bring on Silverman!

Everyone involved in this race, whether racing, spectating, or volunteering was great. Was also cool that John (one of my training buddies) showed up to cheer during the race... and of course the TRIBE folk too.