RD said there was a current going R-L, so line up to the right. Watched a few waves of racers (as an old guy, I have the benefit of lots of pace-booty/current testers out front, being in wave TEN), and didn't see a lot current, so took the inside (left).

MOTORED out at the start (trying something new with that approach) and was in second through the first buoy and on the first place guy's feet. Not sure what happened, but I took like 3 strokes and was of a sudden off 10' to the right of the course. Had to pull it back on course and got on feet of second or third place person, but could have done better had I not mental lapsed for a second there. EVERY second counts in a sprint (another good lesson).

Overall, very happy with this swim. First time I've tried to swim HARD (been concerned about losing my breath and not getting it back), but all the swimming in training helped (duh!).

Not space out and lose some fast feet!

Longish run through a long parking lot, then into T1 and longish run through same lot to bike. Ouch.

Got suit off quickly at same time as put helmet on (never would've thought of that if it was an option on these RR's - thanks BT!!). Grabbed bike and ran to the mount line through a MOB of people. Had shoes on with elastics. Swung leg over and onto pedal and rolled out into the mayhem of a thousand cyclists...

Not much. Was happy with this one.

This was one CROWDED course. Add the poor conditions, and there were unfortunately some wrecks. Thankfully, I was not among them or causing them.

Pushed hard the whole way. Sooooo different from what I did on the Oly a couple weeks back or even the longer bike sprint. Just kept pushing… Had a great bike - and didn't blow up on the run.

Not sure if my run (which was truthfully OK, but not stellar), was hard because of the bike or because I didn't rest at all for this race (after two of my biggest weeks of training yet). Just need to do more to find out - FUN!!!

Not much. Lots of challenges on this one, and I really enjoyed them.

About a 2 second delay scouting for my spot, so much better than last race! Had a tongue on my R shoe fold over, so another 2-3 seconds on that.

Ummmm, still going with the Mylar balloon at my spot as the best idea going.

This one was a push for me, but had some good guys to run with. Traded lead a couple times with guys I thought might be in my AG (three were, two weren't). One guy went with about a mile and I couldn't stay with him - fell back about 50'. Reeled him in slowly until he was 3 feet in front of me with another guy (first one wasn't in my AG, other was), then we hit the sand.

Wasn't expecting THAT twist at the end. No way to kick in that stuff (the soft, white, sugar sand that I otherwise love really stinks for a race finish!).

So, shame on me for not scouting the finish with more detail and thinking about a finishing kick. I'd have gone a bit earlier and at least tried to get in front before the 90 degree sand turns. That said, one guy was younger and the other was in the Masters' division - so I was officially the first in my AG (after a second place OA and the Masters guy). Even got the trophy… :)

Scout the finish and THINK about how what I saw (as I did actually scout it) might be important in the race (lunkhead). Otherwise, not much except maybe rest a tiny bit more before the race. All in, I was really happy to put down this run.

Grab a bottle of water, congratulate the dudes I was running with, jog back to near the finish to find friends and literally cheer myself hoarse as people were coming across the line! Not much of a warmdown, but a BLAST. Got so cold I was shivering in the rain, but wasn't about to leave this one early!

I love these races.


A bit more rest would've helped, but I am SUPER happy with the result.


Awesome day. Such a great venue and what a scene! Biggest race I've done yet, but that gave it a carnival atmosphere… Very cool.

Got to run with new and old friends, so it just doesn't get much more fun.

Also, I'm very happy with the results!