I was real happy with the swim. It was my first mass start where I actually started in the mass. There were only about 50 in my wave, so it wasn't too crowded. I decided to start this time more in the middle of the pack, because that's where I expected to swim. I did try drafting for maybe 1/4 of the way. it was my first attempt to draft in the swim. I finished at the back of the fast group. I was quite out of breath in T1, so I may have pushed the swim a bit too hard

Take it just a little easier at the end of the swim. more practice.

My plan was to cut at least a minute off of my T1 time. I think I did at least that in spite of spilling gu on my handle bars, stopping to wipe it off, then getting the towel caught on bike big ring, and having to stop and untangle it (just a few seconds) Tri outfit, no socks in bike shoes, both helped a lot. Jog into and out of T1. I've been practicing T1 and it helped. Especially clipping in quickly. Passed the girl in front of me comming out of T1.

Save the snack till on the bike.

Because of the short distance I decided to hit it hard up the first hill out of T1, as well as the downhills. I stood up on the hill out of T1, and perhaps that was a bit much. Really out of breath out of T1 through the top of the hill and beyond. I might have done a bit better to pace myself a bit. I did very well on the downhills and the curves. I rode the course twice a few weeks ago and the pracitce helped a bunch. On my three rides in Ruidoso I also practiced going fast downhill (although those roads were much smoother). Also a big help. No one passed me on the downhill. I did get passed a bunch right at the end of the bike, when I just didn't have much left.

The ride was very good for a training ride. If I was really racing I would not have ridden 1:20 the day before. I needed to drink just a little less - I was sloshing on the run. Not spilling stickey stuff on my handle bars would be a plus, although I did use my water bottle to wash it off during the ride, which left the hands and handle bars a little more slick than I would have liked. Stickey, or slippery, Hmmm not a good choice. It was a distraction but probably not much of a time factor.

My goal was to improve this transition, and although not timed, I thought it went very fast. Having the race belt helps, putting the socks on for the run and not the bike also speeds things up. Ran in and out. Dismount worked just as practiced and went very well. Someone had racked their bike in my slot. ARG! It took a few seconds to decide where to put mine. I did not want to take anyone elses.

re arrainge my stuff, so the number belt is the last thing, so that I can buckle it on, on the way out of T2. Watching the fastest guys transition at the Milkman (while waiting for my wave) helped me get my head on straight about transition.

This must include T2. My watch said I was sub 11 min pace, an exciting barrior for me. I did walk one min run four throughout the race, and walked through the two aide stations. Drank too much. But I did pour the rest of the water on myself - that works. Good run. Calfs were sore - I was excited to feel as good as I did. Rather than sprint to the finish I just ran on in. - Training day remember. And I was planning more OWS before I left the venue. No knee pain. Awesome

Again training right up to the race - ran four miles (my farthest in training to date) on Friday probably limited performance, but increased confidence.

Walked around and visited. Drank water, ate some watermellon. Swam 800 yds across the lake and back. Great cool down.


Real happy with transitions. Training up to race day definitely slowed both the run and bike I think.


I gave this race a best rating because I really like swimming in this lake, and the people were all super friendly, nice, and helpful. Lots of first timers as well. I think they could easily put together an Oly here with two laps of lake, and there is lots of road that could be ridden. The bike could go down towards Dexter out and back, then around the lakes. The run could easily be longer. Overall a great race for first timers. Clear lake water and short distances.