Started in the middle of the pack. First few hundred meters was arms and legs and chaos. I had my usual struggle to get into a breathing pattern. Not as bad as sometimes, I didn't have to stop or breast stroke, but just general can't get into sync.

I was about 750m in, and I can't remember if I was taking a few breast strokes, or just sighting, but I noticed a woman in a green cap (3 waves ahead of me) kinda bobbing in the water and looking around. Her eyes looked kinda big and a bit panicked. I stopped and asked if she was okay. "No, I'm not" was the answer. I asked her if she wanted me to get her a boat. She asked if I was in the last wave--I was confused but said no, not at all (I think she was worried that she was that slow). I didn't want to just leave her, so I said "lets get you to a boat". She said she didn't want to give up--I told her that as long as she the boat didn't help her move forward, she could just rest a bit, then continue on. I called to a boat and tried to guide her to the outside of the pack. The boat got there, she grabbed on, and I got on my way. I wish I would have noted her number to check on her later.

I started swimming again, and was pleased to get into a rhythm quickly. I just needed that little break I guess! At some point a few meters later I checked my watch and was excited to see that I was swimming 1:55/100m, even with the stop! Buoyed (haha) I pushed on.

I made the first turn and now we are swimming directly into the sun. Hard to see the buoy, but with all the heads up swim we do at masters, I was good! Just under 200m across the back to the second turn. A little bit of trouble seeing the return buoys as well, but I stayed on course okay. Trying to really focus on catch and pull now, as I start to fatigue a bit.

I was happy with the rest of my swim. When I saw my time out of the water was 39:xx I was ecstatic--my goal had been sub 40.

Not a thing. No way could I have gone on without checking on the woman who was struggling. Folks I talked to after said they would have, but I don't think most of us would. After all, we would all want someone to stop for us in a similar situation!!

I started to get my suit off on the run up to transition. For the first time, suit got stuck on my garmin. Struggled to get it off.

I had forgotten to put on sunscreen--I was going to get V to help me, but then didn't see her before race start--so I had to go to my bag along the fence to grab it and put it on at my bike.

Otherwise, all went according to plan.

Not forget to put on sunscreen.

Well, this was the "how long was it really" course. The maps say 86km. My garmin says 88km. Medal says 90.1km....

I knew this to be a hilly course, so wanted to take it easy. I didn't want to cook my legs and kill my run. It took me about 8km to remember that though...it was on the first biggish climb and I said to myself "ease off..." Tried to just keep a steady effort from there.

Not really a lot to report--it is a nice ride, roads are fairly good. One section of chipseal that sucks. There are 2 sharp corners--the first one was relatively well 'marked'--a traffic control person about 50m away shouting (not that you could hear her). I think a big sign saying sharp turn would be helpful. The other sharp turn had a guy in a hi-vis vest shouting...but he was about 5 m from the turn. By the time you figure out what he is saying you are in the turn. Not well marked at all.

I'm not sure if the slower time on the second half was because I backed off a bit thinking about the run, or the wind, or if I just slowed down. I didn't feel like I was struggling at all, so I am not sure.

I definitely am stronger than when I did this Oly a few years ago; it didn't seem quite as bad as I remember :). I think I rode well for where I am. Nutrition was good. Hydration was good.

Rack bike, shoes on, hat on, more sunscreen. Had to use the portapottie.

Nothing much

My plan was 5-5-5. 5 miles 'easy', 5 miles faster, 5km hard. I did good on the first two :)

First 5 miles was 47:13. Second 5 miles was 46:40. Kinda fell apart in the last 5km!

I started out just trying to get my legs. I was struggling a bit, but told myself that I would get into a rhythm, and I did, probably around 4km in. I was feeling pretty good for the rest of the first loop. Took a gel at 7km, grabbed some water and put some ice in my cap. It was hot, but not unbearable. At 8km, I told myself to pick it up a bit. Of course, that was the point of the course that was the two steep hills! No problem, just pick it up where you can.

At about 9km, a woman tripped right in front of me on a root and went down hard. She bounced right back up, wasn't hurt. There were areas of shadows and light on the trail and it made it difficult to see roots and rocks sticking up.

I got to the finish area and looked at my watch and saw I had a chance at sub 6. Just 10km to go. Tried to keep my pace, not speed up too much and lose it. Up the first steep hill again, and down the other side, and a woman trips in front of me again. Boom went down hard, rolled and kinda stayed down. Picked up her sunglasses, and another guy and I made sure she was okay and helped her up. I think she was shaken, but okay. Will be bruised and sore today.

Not too far on, I tripped. Didn't go down, but wasn't far off. Guy beside asked if I was okay and we chatted about how easy it was to trip in here, in the shadows, especially when you are starting to get fatigued!!

Now I was on the long slight grade (which I didn't really notice was a grade on the first lap!). I am starting to feel it now, and having to convince myself not to walk. I had been walking the aid stations to this point and continued to do so. I kept reminding myself to breathe properly and not wheeze and gasp. Then we got to the out and back hill. I had to walk it. Once it leveled off, I got going again, and ran around the cones, but that steep part was not happening at a run. Ran the downhill, then walked the next steep up until it leveled. Now I was supposed to be on the last 5km fast--they weren't! I ended up walking parts. That little voice in your head that tells me I can't do it. I have gotten a really good hold on it for the most part in the last few years, but it still convinces me some times.

Got to the 20km sign and ran the rest in. I was dying and I hate to see my finish picture!


I raced my run plan--I just didn't have it in the end. Considering the last 5km started with two big hills, I am not surprised. I am super happy with my run overall. A sub 6 race would have meant a sub two HM--and my open HM PR is 1:55 so it was a long shot!

Stood bent over in the finish chute dipping my hat in the ice water bucket and throwing it over my head. Tried to catch my breath.


A bit mental, a bit physical.


Overall this race is well done. Good system for bike drop off, aid stations well manned.

The post race food was pathetic. When I finished there were only oranges and bananas. Shortly thereafter, chili arrived, but had to be heated. Who wants chili in 25C? Then, later still, they had coleslaw with either ham pieces or sausages laid on top, in cups, but no forks. Finally, a hour or so later, they had pizza ordered in. It was pretty sad.