No tapering for this race as BSLT is around the corner, so the mind set was going to have to be different. Swim- "Just get through it", Bike- "Push" from time to time. Run- Let it all hang out (its only a 10k).

Swim -1500 m L shaped. The swim was not wetsuit legal, so that was issue #1. Fortunately I brought my speedsuit that I bought last year for Cozumel. Like I said above no tapering, so goal was just to get through the swim. I had a killer 3500 meter workout on Friday and the arms still felt a bit sore on race day. Water was like bath water to boot, so definitely not trying to push the pace. Started off nice and smooth without a care in the world. Water was reallly calm as there was zero wind! About 200 meters in I noticed there were no swimmers in front of me. That's odd, I must be way off course. I Looked up and saw the buoy about 150 yards out, so that wasn't the case. Went about another 150 yards and still didn't notice anybody. I really thought I was way off course now. I actually stopped looked up and back, sure enough I was actually leading the swim. WHOOOO! made the first turn and kept going. About 500 in we caught the women (women went first and left about 3 minutes before us). Man that was miserable. Women kept on getting trounced by the guys. Not sure who's idea it was for the women to go first, but that was bad. Not that women can't swim faster than guys, but when you have women that are not so fast (there are men that are not so fast too) get caught by the majority of the men it makes for not such a good day. Tried my best to not hit anyone but I tagged of few girls (truly sorry ladies). made the 2nd buoy and headed for home. about 100 yards from home I had to stop and look again as I thought I was lost since no one was around me. GEEZ! Man, I have to try this "just get through the swim" philosophy more ofter! IT was like having the whole lake to myself, excpet that small portion where we caught the women.

Out of the water, and into T1- There were 3 guys ahead of me in T-1 and it looked like all the bikes were there still except for the elite/ open wave (they were the 1st wave, all 24 of them). Coming out of T-1 a sock was caught to the velcroe of my shoe that was clipped in. I stopped picked it up and stuck it down my shorts as I was sure to need it later for the run.

Hit the bike and took a few minutes to recover and get into bike pacing. About 10 minutes into the bike I passed the other 3 riders. About 15 minutes in I didn't know If I was going the wrong direction as I couldn't see anyone infront of me as far as I could see. Man it was lonely in front! A few minutes later I saw the open wave coming back. OH, good I thought I am going the right direction (I didn't spend a ton of time researching the course for this race). Rest of the bike was uneventful. One mistake was nutrition though. I figured for 24 miles all I needed was 22oz of gatorade. The gatorade was enough, but towards the end I could feel I needed water (not good). Anyways hit T-2 to change over.

I remembered the sock I stuffed down my shorts, but as I pulled it out I also noticed my socks were in-front of my shoes. OOPS! Someone else's sock got caught on my velcroe. Didn't know who's, so I left it in the midde of the row as it had to come from somewhere around there. Apologies to whoever's sock that was. That would suck going into the run and not have but one sock!

Heading out to the run was a cluster F$%& to put it gently. The run out was also the entry point for the swim. Wouldn't be a problem except that the sprint race was just getting out of the lake and coming into T-1 as well. Yeah, that was a sure fire problem. I can only imagine what it was like 5 minutes later when the pack was coming in from the bike, and the sprint was headed out of the water into T-1 and out of the bike. TOTAL CHAOS I imagine.

Run- RD cut the run short by 1/2 mile as there was construction. I understand that, but since the run is a two lap (out and back), why not extend the turn-a-around 1/8 a mile? There was certainly room for it, but whatevs! Didn't realize just how hot it was till 1/2 mile into the run. Didn't learn till the end when I got home but it was 92 degrees out during the run. Dang! I knew it was going to be 100 out, but I figured it would only be in the low 80's by 8:30. Guess I thought wrong. 1st mile was 6:45 (goal was 6:25-6:30). Quickly knew that wasn't happening and settled into 7:00's the rest of the way. Hard to tell exactly where I was at in the race as the open class was on the run too, so I couldn't tell if someone was open class/elite or in the mens wave. About half way through I wanted to chuck the visor and strip naked it was so dam hot. With 1 mile left the guy I passed on the bike caught me. I looked at his calf and we were the same AG. DAM IT! I started falling back, but someone coming towards us yelled at me"don't loose him". That lit a fire/short fuse under me and I quickly took him over. He caught me with 3/4 of a mile left. I tried small talk, but he was all business (whatever). I kept pace with him for another 1/4 mile and then fell about 15 ft behind. Figured I would stay that close till we had 1/4 mile left and then let it all hang out. At the 1/4 mile mark I pushed everything I had into it and then more. I seriously thought I was going to go into cardiac arrest at this point as were pushing 6:00 min pace with 1/4 mile left and 5:30 the last 1/4 mile. I just couldn't hold it any longer. The longer we went, the more enticing 2nd place starting looking. I've put myself in the hurt locker before, but never like this! He ended up winning by 15 secs. DAM IT! I don't feel bad, as I left it all out on the road, but geez how frustrating, seeing your win leave your sights and there is nothing you can do about it!

I learned a new level of pain and discomfort in this short race, so it was definitely worth it!

Final times, paces, etc. as follows:

(Overall includes open wave/ elite. There were 24 elite/ open-class)

Swim- 20:56- 1:24/100m- 1st AG/ 24th OA
Bike- 1:05:07- 22.1mph/ 235 avg watts- 3rd-AG/ 25th OA (garmin had 24.5 miles vs. 24 so avg was really 22.6 but whatever)
Run- 38:55- 6:55/ mile (5.62 miles only)- 2nd AG/ 21st OA

Total time- 2:07:45- 2nd AG (missed 1st AG by 15 secs) that guy was putting down 6:20’s on the run in that heat/ 21st OA.

I personally think the swim was a tad short as I dont' think I'm that good of a swimmer, but then again I was leading the entire wave. Maybe I cut a corner???? :-)

below is the link to the results page as well

https://www.nolimitstiming.com/results/default.aspx?event=5223&r=634