In my 8 previous Tri's, I've only broken the 2"/100m avg for open water swims one time at the North Shore Tri back in May but it was only 400m. I managed a little over 2"/100m in the 1500m Honolulu Tri back in May, but it was in the confined beach area of Ala Moana park. So for this being an 800m swim, i was pleased with the time.

Have one of those little teenage girls that swim 1:30"/100m wear my race number for me !! Kidding aside, finishing mid pack was what i was expecting / hoping for. From all the jellyfish stings and beach closures the past week, i was glad i didn't get stung or make the news as shark bait!!

I was going to try preclipping the shoes to the bike.... but, I opted the safe route having not practiced it any and sat down, rinsed off my feet, rolled on the socks, strapped on the shoes and jogged out of T1 and mounted the bike, clipped in, and off into the upcoming sun.

My objective was to beat my only other 40K Tri bike of just a little over 20mph avg, and i made a little better than 21mph!! I didn't even have spaghetti legs after the bike....... due all in part the hundred of "thrusters" i've been doing as part of my Crossfit workouts. Biking only once or twice a week for 100-125 miles / month for the past several months, I was very pleased with my performance.

nothing worth commenting on.....bike shoes off, tennis shoes on.....

I was going to run a 7" something / mile or bust...... I was surprised my first mile was as good as it was and my legs were still under me. My knees and hips were really starting to hurt though by 5K from running on the asphalt. Lot's of glucosamine and motrin this week........

That little voice inside my head that told me i was pushing too hard.... given the training i've been doing and my DNA.... that's as good as it gets for me and i'm pleased with it. enough said. i was even able to get back across honolulu to kunia to get the kids to church and then spent the afternoon back in waikiki with my wife and kids, pigged out at red lobster, and enjoyed the rest of a beautiful w/e. thank you Lord my health, my family, and the opportunity to live in hawaii.


All my previos Tri's I've gone at each separate event at maybe 70-90% effort not wanting to bonk or DNF. I swam, biked, ran one this at pretty near 100% RPE anticipating it being my last event in Hawaii. I either wanted to have my best race or keel over trying. I knew I could do the distances from previous races, i was 8 for 8 completions for the TRI's I've done since last Oct. There were a few time that little voice in my head said "go ahead, take a breather...but, I pressed on and had a great race for my standards / goals. If you've been around the military you'll understand the term "FIGMO". Well, I've got mine, and after nearly four years in paradise, the vacation is coming to an end.........