This was the largest...and longest triathlon I have done so far! It was a lot of fun to be a part of and having to check in my bike, run bag, ect.... in beforehand really helped my excitement build. Normally I get ridiculously nervous before my races but I felt really calm leading up this one. I was a little nervous about my knees holding out as they have been giving me issues ever since my trail half marathon back in May and I haven't been able to run more than 5 or 6 miles since. I was hoping for the best though and if all else failed the ability to push through the pain!

Goals-
1. Finish
2. Swim-40 to 45 mins
3. bike-4 hours
4. run- 2 hours

Swim-38:32

The swim was pretty rough!
Random thoughts while swimming.....

hmmmm what could be more attractive to a shark then a whole school of seals splashing around...because you know sharks are attracted to splashing!

Crap I can't touch the bottom!

Because the weather has been so crappy so far this was only my second open water swim this year and the first one was in a lake. I did manage to draft a bit off two different people though. The first one was really great at sighting and my second choice was not so good at it...should have stuck with my first one. It was pretty easy to spot the orange buoys going out, but the yellow buoys were a challenge especially once the salt water started leaking into my goggles! =)

T1-4:27

Took my time making sure I didn't forget anything in T1.

Bike-3:06:31

I loved the bike! The course was beautiful! Normally I excel on hills, but I did enjoy the flat bits and the rollers came at the right point because I was pretty warmed up by then and ready to start picking people off! I think I held back a little too much...but hey this was my first half. I decided I would take it easy til mile 30 and then if I still felt good I would hit the engine and start passing people. I took in gels every 15 or 30 minutes up until I hit the 45 mile point and at that point I just took in water and orange gatorade from the last aid station. Coming into the city was a bit bumpy and I'm fairly certain my trisuit was a bit see- through because two guys speed up behind me and said nice jersey. =) I was shocked when I looked at my watch and realized that I had finished the bike almost an hour faster then I thought. And I was thrilled to realize that I might have a shot at finishing under 6 hours.

T2-3:43

Was a little slow here, but again I took my time to make sure I didn't forget anything.

Run-2:51:09

My knee fell apart before I even hit the first turn around on the run. I knew my chances of finishing under 6 hours were probably gone but if I could make it under 7 I would be happy because that was my original goal. From this point on it was just a matter of mind over matter. I knew I would finish if I had to crawl...but I didn't want to let that 7 hour mark slip by me. It was awesome having my girlfriend at mile 2, 5ish, 8ish, and 11ish....and my family at the run start, turnaround, and finish! I mixed it up on the run...part walk, part run, and part hobble. At one point I was hoping and running at the same time...trying not to put too much weight on my left leg...lol After I passed the 11 mile mark I just started running again and kept running because I knew if I stopped I wouldn't make it. Once I saw the finish ahead I just started sprinting as best I could. That hill bit at the end was just cruel...lol

Total Time- 6:44:22

Someone put a medal around my neck and handed me a water and a hat. I know you aren't supposed to stop moving immediately after wards, but once I crossed the finish line and stopped moving my knee just couldn't handle my weight anymore so I just sort of collapsed onto the grass. Finally got up again and hopped to where my family was..which fortunately was only a few feet away at this point! All in all I had an awesome time and can't weight for my IT band to heal so I can do this race again next year and get under that 6 hour marker! =)