I swam great, I sighted terrible. The course was a triangle with the small end only 50 yards wide, so long out, two quick turns, then long back. At go, it was a short steep run into the water, two high steps, then dolphin dive. All good. I passed the first person quickly and got hooked up with Aquaman. I drafted the first 300 or 400 yards, then let him go. A few people passed me, but only a few. Uneventful until the second turn.

After I rounded the second one, I completely blew the sighting. I followed a few people to keep moving. We went way to the left. I corrected but I added at least 300 yards to the effort. I think people got by me as I was sight seeing. I got back on track and Aquaman's brother came by me. I hooked on and drafted to the finish. Looked down at my time and almost let out a cuss word loudly. Kept my head and moved on.

Sight better. It cost me at least 4 minutes. Since this was my first OWS since my HIM in Oct., I am thinking I should not be surprised with my sighting issues. Swimming is my best leg and it is frustrating not to show improvement over Tugaloo. Oh well.

This was an excellent T1. Looking at the other T-1 times, no wet suite helped me. I ran quickly, but was a little woosie. I did not put on socks, just shoes. Helmet, sun glasses, grab the bike...gone.

Nothing. I ran with the cleats on, but the distance was short and frankly, I did not practice rubber band, jump on, get in the shoes act.

I made a mistake at the start. I got moving and pushed way too hard in the first 3 miles. My quads were still chilled from the water and the wind on wet cloths did not help. All the sudden, my legs were not happy. So, I backed off for a few minutes to get myself collected.

I got moving and rode very hard for the next 30 minutes. I hit a bad patch at mile 18 & 19. I suddenly could not produce much power and slowed to 15 MPH. I took a deep breath, relaxed, and let my body have a minute. I did not want to add any more stress. I hit a down hill stretch and got my power back. I started to hurt at the end, but was determined to hold 20 MPH which is my HIM goal pace. My HR stayed in the 150s with a few spikes into 160s on hills.

2 gels - 15 minutes in, then mile 21. Drank full bottle of Acceleraid. Total calories 320. Stomach did fine.

I need to relax and take the first mile or so easy and let the muscles warm up. Otherwise, I think I got the most out of the ride possible.

Bad dismount, but the run with the bike was quick. I had a little problem getting my helmet off. I went through the process quickly and got to running as fast as I could. Everything was setup perfectly.

Maybe practice the dismount some, but it was a small deal.

I am very proud of the run. I am a new runner (started June 2007 from zero). This was only 1:50 slower than my PR!

I did not have the Garmin on purpose. I tend to obsess with it. I wanted to focus on running and listening to my body. I did not feel great for the first half mile. At this point, I made a mental decision - time to race. I have not done this in a tri. I picked up the pace and did not want anyone to pass me, little unrealistic given my newbie running status. I felt good at mile 3 and started to calculate my finish. Holly crap, I might break 2:40. I started to talk with myself, kept motivating myself and pushing back the negative thoughts. At one point, I started laughing out loud because I was thinking you are officially a runner! The last mile really hurt, but isn't that the case if you are doing it right? I crossed the line just short of breaking 2:40. VERY HAPPY.

Did not eat anything and drank a little water.

Drink more and try to take in a gel or something at mile 2 or so. I know I can't repeat this feeding approach for the HIM. I am not sure it effected my run much because it was only 6.2 miles.

drank some water, ate a doughnut for some pick me up, talked with Alltom's friend, who won my AG, for a little bit. Talked with Ron (atl runner)and his wife (1111). I needed to get back by noon and could not eat BBQ at that hour any way.

I did not feel wasted at the end. I think it is a good sign for the HIM goals.


Perspective: This was 20 minutes faster than my first OLY. So, this was a good race in terms of progress. There is always woulda, shoulda, coulda comments with all races. Few people can say they raced perfectly. Overall, I am happy with my 2nd OLY and 4th Tri!

Areas for improvement: Sighting on the swim, start slower on the bike and warm up muscles, maybe eat a little on the run.


I finished 5th in my AG! Holy crap, I am stoked.

Great race and will try to do it again next year. Perfect to have a nice little OLY less than an hour from the house.