Merrimack river is always a light brownish color i think due to the silt in the river, always makes it interesting. You could only see 5 to 6 feet in any direction underwater, if that. River is know at times to have a decent current supposidly, not much of one on this day.Started in 4th and final wave, so waiting around in the wetsuit, I started to get alittle warm. Continually floated around in the water every few minutes to keep from overheating. Only interesting part was having some of the swimmers from the other waves heading head on towards you on their way back. A couple seem to be alittle of course. Used my Garmin 305 in a waterproof baggy under my swim cap. Wanted to analize the data later to see how the race went as a whole, according to the numbers.

Nothing. Found a pace I was comfortable with and held it, utilizing only a 4 to 6 beat kick. Trying to keep the heartrate stable and save the legs for the bike and run segments knowing those two are my strengths.

Exited water and ran a few yards across blocked road into transition. Decided to use my Garmin 305 for this whole race so I had the thing ziplocked in a watertight baggy. Removed it from under the swim cap and fiddled with that.

Nothing. Everything went as planned.

Started off pacing behind two other racers for the first 3 miles at 19mph or less and then realized they may be conserving energy since they were possibly in the olympic distance race. Took off on my own and pushed it hard the whole way. Only getting passed by one other guy at the very end. Pushed hard on the bike segment yet was consious of not burning out my legs for the run, since I was looking forward to see how I had improved my run-off-the-bike since last year.

Would have took off right from the get-go instead of waiting until mile 3 to go out on my own.

Was concentrating on remembering to take my Garmin 305 off the bike to take with me on the run, along with thinking of the pace I wanted to go at, almost missed the bike shoot leading to transition. Dismount good, T2 uneventful. Running shoes on, Garmin 305 off bike, snapped onto watch band, and off running we go.

Nothing. T2 went better then planned. T2 time was under a minute, as it should be.

Left transition pacing back and forth with Scott Brown. He would lead 3/4 mile then I would run up and pace for 3/4 or so. Back and forth running, sort of zig-zagging at times to find areas of shade to run in. First half of run segment, very light breeze. Second half, running directly into blazing sun, with absolutely no breeze/wind! Very hot. Utilized both water stations more for cooling off the for hydrating. Dumped a small baggy of ice cubes down the front of my shorts for the last mile. Only got passed by one younger guy, otherwise paced with racer S. Brown the whole way. I took the front and lead less then a mile from finish and slowly pulled away from him. Garmin tracked me at a 7 min/mile pace for final mile, but that all I could hold it for, I was cooked!

Wish I would have tried to pace and keep up with the younger kid that passed us after the half way point, but I knew he was just holding to fast of a pace that I could hold up to, especially on such a hot day weather wise. And after pushing hard on the bike segment, I only had so much reserve left.

Fluids, shade, and cooling down.


Wish I wouldn't have waited until mile 3 or 4 on bike segment to take off on my own and set my own pace instead of riding behind the others.


Great race with a small town feel to it. Well organized. Only drawback which I see hasn't been fixed from last year: bike rack/tubes in transition are way to flimsy!! Finished the race again this year, and came back to transition to see two full racks full of bikes all tipped over again! Cheap, poorly made and set up! A shame to see a few really nice and expensive bikes falling over because when one person slightly moves their equipment. Otherwise, love this race and venue!