Some day I will really learn how to swim. My 6th HIM and I am pretty sure all 6 times are within 2 minutes of each other. All +41 and probably all <43m. At least I'm consistent. I would trade some consistency for speed though. Lake was the warmest I've ever seen deep lake - by quite a bit. No fog, sighting was good. I felt like I held a pretty good line for most of the race except the last turn. Somehow got way out of position on that last turn.

Swim harder.

Best result so far at Black Diamond HIM. Things went fairly smoothly for the entire ride. Nutrition, water stations etc. Felt great all the way from start to finish.

Only part of my race I wish I had a do-over. Felt great coming into T2, felt fantastic through the first 5 miles or so, until I got to the only significant hill in the race. I don't know what it is about this hill, but every year it gets me. It's not the hill itself (or at least what you would consider the main part of the hill) but the neighborhood after that I always fade in. I think that neighborhood is a false flat because I always seem to fade just as we go into the out and back section 1/4 mile or so after peaking the main hill part. Last year I attributed it to heat, this year I also felt hot, but now I'm not so sure it was just heat. Up until that point I felt great, probably running faster than I should have but it didn't feel excessive. In any case, same story as last year. Hit the hill feeling good. Peak, not feeling as good, and by the time I hit the neighborhood out and back - wish I was back home watching TV... Stopped for a walk and from here on out it was downhill. Spent WAY to much time walking When I did run again it felt good for the most part, just couldn't keep up the pace. Last 1.25 mile or so around the lake sucked, by that point I really did whish I was home.

I need to figure out this run fading issue. I pace my bike rather conservatively so I don't think it's bike pacing that is hurting me. Never pace my bike above what I hit regularly in training and never feel beat up after - but results are the same. Runs are not where they are supposed to be. Right now I am thinking it's either a calorie issue (not enough on the bike), a pacing issue on the run (I should have been able to hold my pace in this race - I hold close enough to this pace in my long runs on a weekly basis) or perhaps an electrolyte issue. I'll start with food first and see what happens. This sport is addicting enough, these little sort of details are enough to make me wish I could race weekly to test out all these ideas..

Finished though with my best HIM performance by far, my best bike split and tying my best run and average swim, so I can't really complain much

I never understand how people eat, or drink alcohol, immediately following a race. I grabbed some post race food and a beer. Had about 3 bites and 2 sips before deciding I was done. I will admit publically to dumping out a beer. Yes, it sucked that badly going down (and it's one of my favorite local producers)


Random excuse generator says: Genetics


While Black Diamond isn't the flashiest production race, or the most scenic course in the PNW I really enjoy racing here. Small field, well managed and a great way to cap a season before the rains/crap weather return. This is my 4th year in a row doing Black Diamond and every year they make this a better and better race. The tech shirt, race medal and Deschutes on tap after the race (even if I don't feel like having one) are a nice touch.

Had a good dinner with my family at the Mint in Enumclaw after. I'll end this report by just saying this - They have lots of good beer and homemade bacon jam on the menu.