Water was cold, but after doing a quick swim warmup prior to the start to get use to water temps, it was almost worse standing around, cold, wet, windy waiting for my wave to start. Had a hard time keeping the fingers and toes from going numb. Started right up front and went out strong from the start. Felt good the whole swim. Only gulped a couple of mouthfuls of ocean water. Rough, cold, choppy swim conditions; luckily the wind was out of the north and we were swimming southerly direction. I started in the 3rd wave and by the half-way point of the swim I was passing folks from the first wave. Many who were literally back-floating to move along and occasionally looking over their shoulder to stay on course. Had to do a little zig-zagging around some folks floating around.

Sight a little better.

Came out of the water and wanted out of my wetsuit! Literally ran, NOT jogged, ran up the beach thru transition. I knew I had rolled up arm-warmers and dry socks waiting for me. Decided because of this days weather conditions to put on socks, and arm-warmers for the run and bike. Rolled up arm warmers so all I had to do was slip them and then roll them up my arms once I was off on the bike moving.

Go without socks maybe? First time I ever used arm warmers for a race, but I felt it was necessary on this day for me. I was cold!

I ride this course all the time, so I know every twist, turn, pothole,ect. Took off right from the start. Pushed hard on the flat sections, steady on the rolling hills, and more casual on the downhill sections. Road conditions were wet, so I took it alittle easier on a couple of the turns. Was only passed by 4 or 5 other guys, but passed alot myself in return. Felt good and full of energy considering a cold swim segment.

Push harder and faster of course. Wet road conditions definately hesitated me.

Helmet and glasses off, running shoes on, grabbed my Garmin watch.

Nothing

Felt I had tight calves for the run. Picked a pace I figured I could hold steady without losing any positions. By this time the rain has stopped and there wasn't much wind running thru the neighborhood run loop. Slowly moved up to 4 other in front of me and passed them. Was only passed by one other guy during run segment towards the end.

Run faster and push harder.

Water, energy bar, bagel, and then changed into dry clothes. Pants,sweatshirt,jacket all nice and dry and warmer!


Wet road conditions on the bike segment. Choppy, cold water on the swim segment.


This is my 3rd year doing this event. Year 1=19th position age-group; Year 2=13th position age-group; this year I was hoping for a top ten at least and came away with a 4th place age-group placing. Love this course and event. I have been focusing my training on olympic and 70.3 distances all summer long playing around with the idea of moving up to those distances next year, so this short course sprint was a good race to really push a faster pace for me to see where Iam stacking up. Really pushed hard on this race knowing that my wife was making additional sacrifies on this day to make it possible for me to race. Even more rewarding then getting the 4th place AG placing was proving to myself that I could do the necessary training along with working full-time, and being a dedicated husband and busy father to two very busy young boys. This race was for them. This event is very organized each year and I think this is why it sells out so quickly! Watched US olympic hopeful Ethan Brown win this event, along with some other local pros who are always here and always fast! Also, not to forget the so-called swag for this race: t-shirt, hat, water bottle, ect. I checked in the night before to get my race packet and was given 2 free t-shirts by the volunteers! Always nice appareal!