We heard the gun go off and the line stated moving at a steady pace. When we got to the porta potties I started taking off clothes and giving them to Jim. At this point I said some quick goodbyes and the line was moving faster, by the time I got to the ramp entrance it was jog to the water. We were told to enter onto a choice of two piers and dive off into the water. The water felt great, however a lot of bodies were around, more so then I thought since this was not a mass start. Headed up stream as the sun was rising straight ahead, very hard to site at this spot, I just kept looking for splashes of water. Made my way to the turnaround and kept feeling spots of ice water, very strange feeling, the water started getting a little more choppy. I could feel myself rise and lower out of the water. Left shoulder felt a twinge but kept trying to get to the end. Got out of the water 2 minutes faster then 2007, but only four minutes slower then Peggy, who I would consider a VERY strong swimmer.

I'm not sure there was anything I could do different, I put a lot of time in the pool and I was a little faster, who knows?

Out of the water, had a little bit of a jog to T1, got bag and ran to tent, folks were great, got stuff and headed out as fast as I could.

nothing

Bike course, I trained this time on RT 8 east, it's a quieter road but now I know a lot flatter then RT8 west, which I trained on in 2007. I thought the course seemed more hilly then I remembered but it was still doable. Pace was great and I knew where I needed to be to finish in 6.05/6.10 ( my goal) and I was right on target until about mile 50 and heard a loud pop, didn't dawn on me that it could me but after a mile I realized I had a flat tire, I was pissed. This is where I screwed up, I had tube/CO2 and this quick fix foam crap. I think I was so focused on just getting back on the road that I did the quickest thing possible, which was the foam stuff. It seemed to work fine but now I know it did not fully inflate the tire. I got back on the bike and was so concerned about the tire I slowed down way too much, I think I was afraid of it going flat again and concerned what exactly the foam would do to it, stupid I know, but hind sight is 20/20. When I got to about mile 80/85 there were so many support vehicles I thought if I go flat I'd be ok getting help quicker, so I just hammered it, caught Peggy who passed me shortly after the flat and finished strong.

Oh boy, I would do a lot of things different. I certainly would change the tire and tube using the CO2, it appears I was cycling on a partial flat for about 60 miles which caused a lot of useless wear and tear on my legs. I certainly think I did not cycle at my full potential. This is the part that pissed me off more then anything, the Louisville newspaper reported that somebody threw tacks on the road and caused a lot of flats. There were also kids throwing sticks at cyclist. Why are people such assholes?? When I got home I changed the flat and sure as anything it was a pinprick hole that caused the flat.

I was happy I made it back to T2 with only the one flat. Quick change of shoes and socks and headed out.

Nothing, I shaved 50% of time off my last T1 and T2 times, I think that's good.

I started the run feeling ok, but tired. I was slower then I had been in my training times but I think the bike issues caused some problems. I jogged most of the way and walked through the aid stations, I just felt I was out of gas. Had my Hammer gels and water but it just wasn't cutting it. Made my way to the turn around and apparently saw Jim, he thinks I wasn't happy, I think he was right. Felt better after the sun went down, talked with a couple of guys and began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Four miles left and some guy told me that we beat the glow sticks, this made me feel better. I could hear the music getting louder and I saw more and more people. I tried to look excited going down the shoot but I don't think I pulled it off. But I was done and swore I would never attempt this again.

run faster

Met Jim and kids at the end of the shoot and walked back to the hotel. A long hot shower while Jim went and got the bike. We ordered pizza and went to sleep.


The bike portion is the only issue I really had. I felt some what cheated. I went into this knowing I could have mechanical problems, but these problems were within someones control. But I guess stuff happens and you move on. I still cut one hour off my last time. I love training and I know I thought I would never do another one, here I am 48 hours later thinking I would like to go back in 2011 and give another shot, just to see what I can do.