I did this race last year and had a blast, figured I would go back for more since a bunch of my friends were already planning on doing it, too. There were six of us making the trip, all of us having graduated from the same high school cross country team over the years. With all the families there, the atmosphere was very positive and even more enjoyable than last year!

My training has been hot and cold for the last few weeks, so I wasnt really looking for a mind blowing performance. The race was run without a hitch, props to DRC Sports/ Chris Moling for a well run event.

My swim went as well as I could hope, I have seen some improvement over the last few months, so that makes me a little happy. Oh, and the swim was short. The winning time out of the water was 4:09, with many other 4:00 performers.
6:02 50/ 152. Still room for improvement.

For the first time in a long time, I passed my bike rack in T1! That cost me :20
:50

I hit the bike and felt pretty good. Just kept my head down nad pedaling hard. I was determined to average over 23mph. Several people flatted out on the bike course, but I didnt have that problem, thankfully, since I race sprints without a spare bag. I passed quite a few people on the way to the turn around, and for the first time ever, no one passed me on the second half.
25:41 23.4 mph 19/ 152

T2 was nice and quick, slipping my shoes on and running! Didnt miss the rack this time :rolleyes:
:36

The run was painful. I was feeling the effects of the harer than normal effort on the bike. That was alright, I wasn't letting anyone get off easy and started picking them off. In the last 3/4 of a mile, I passed a dude who decided to try and sit on my shoulder. With 1/4 left I turned up the heat and put the throttle down 100 yards out. Dropped him by :10. My run time was slower than it was in June on the same course :( not happy about that. But I did put more effort into the bike, so there was a trade off.
19:42 6:34/ mile 10/ 152

52:51- good for 11th overall AND MY FIRST AG WIN!!

I am the first to admit I got lucky with not too many of the fast guys from my AG not showing up. My buddy Jeff is in my AG, but won overall. Looking at the results from last year, my time was good enough for second in AG and the winner then (one of my friends) has since aged up. So I put a solid effort out there and am VERY happy to have something to show for it! Next week- International Distance Classic at Fantasy of Flight- only my second Oly ever and first in two years.

Props to Jeff for setting a blazing course record of 46:16!! 25.3 mph bike (on a roadie!!) and 5:27/ mile on the run! Dude is a stud.