Another watch issue. This time I had on my HR watch with a buckle-band insted of velcro (which came loose last year). What could go wrong? Well, on the second to last leg, I caught my arm on the lane markers and ripped the watch right off. Since it's my HR monitor, I hesistated for just a second before deciding to dive down and retrieve it. Pool is about 6 1/2 feet deep and luckily I got it on the first dive. Then, since I had tucked my race top into my shorts for the swim, I had trouble tucking the watch in my waistband. So there I was, hanging on the lane marker trying to shove the watch into my pants when a volunteer asked whether I was alright. Fine, dammit, but pissed that for the second year in a row I had an equipment issue in the pool, because I obviously can't afford to lose any more time.

Not wear a watch? Train more. I simply have to get faster and stronger in the water. If I could have been even two minutes faster, I'd have been very close to hardware, top 5 at least.

MOP time in T1. I went sockless for the ride so I discovered that it's a bit strange to shove cold wet feet into bike shoes, with rapidly chilling fingers. I stayed with the race gear, only, too, deciding (hoping) I'd warm up on the ride.

I've got room to improve, just have to find the areas. Get a clip on system for the garmin.

Clearly, this is where I make up my swim time. I felt pretty good on the first leg, and stronger still on the second. I battled an 18 y.o. for most of the ride, he'd pass going down, I'd pass climbing. Finally, on the second to last hill I took him for the last time. He called out something, but I didn't really hear him. I knew I'd see him again on the run, though.

I was slightly disappointed, as I thougt I could average in the 20s. Perhaps it's the bike, perhaps it's the engine and most likely, it's a combination of the two. But, to discover that I was 2nd in my AG (behind only DocShock's smokin' 36-flat), was pretty cool. I'd love to go even faster, though.
edit - if the course was 12.6, as some others are reporting, then my speed was 20.3 mph.

I dawdled just a bit to have a gu in transition. Also, changing shoes w/o socks was a bit slower than I anticipated. I'd applied bodyglide around the inside of both sets of shoes, but forgot the back of the heels. No blisters, but that's a spot not to be missed again. MOP.

have the gu on the run.

I knew I could run this course well, particularly after turning in sub 7:30s on Thursday. One problem, however, was when the pre-race fajitas and beer tried to mutiny. I had to slow down a bit to win that battle, but after that, it was game on. Oh yeah, it was just a bit before this that the 18 y.o. went past me again. I made up my mind to beat him to the finish. This is where race experience played a major role. I just slowly increased my pace and kept him in sight. I closed some ground at the turn and stayed 20-30 yards behind, getting slightly closer with each step. He'd hear me and accellerate quickly, then slow, which was his pattern. Once I got a handle on that, his beating me was done. I waited until the last hill and beat him to the top, easily closing the final 10 yards and going on by. I think he finished his run 20-30 seconds behind me. Turns out, he finished 1 or 2 in his AG.

Maybe get a little more sleep and a few fewer beers the night before.

Hung with DockShock and some of his BT lurker friends. The warm sun felt good with the cool air.


pre-race partying.


A fun closing event for the season in perfect weather. After the season we had with heat and humidty, this race was like dessert.