So, I PR'd this course by 5:31 seconds and and for some reason I'm disappointed. Last year I did 4:45:59 and I was stoked. I crushed it this time, but I am still mixed about my performance. My swim sucked even though I felt strong (some say the course was long - I hope so) and my bike was slower than last year. My transitions were near perfect and my run was great! I really wanted to go under 4:40 and I missed by 29 seconds. :( Not to mention Mark handed me my ass and KiloDave beat me (by 15 sec) for the 1st time!!! I'm happy for those two, but I missed my goal time - 4:38 and my second goal to go under 4:40 but still I raced well and killed it. I need to snap out of it and be happy with my new PR. 4:40:28! Not bad for a guy who can't swim. 2007 compared to 2008 Swim: 42:39 -> 43:01 (38 seconds slower than last year) Bike: 2:21:44 -> 2:21:04 (40 seconds slower than last year - could it be because last year I raced a set of Zipp 999's with a full disc? this year I raced my Cane Creeks)) Run: 1:39:39 -> 1:33:42 (an improvement of 5 minutes and 57 seconds! WOW!) Transitions 1 and 2: 2:34 -> 2:02 (an improvement of 32 seconds - NICE) So, even though I was slower on the swim, I was just a bit slower on the bike, my run improvement indicates something more important than my finish time. Taking nearly 6 minutes off my run is a great indicator of where my fitness level is this year compared to last year. Granted it wasn't quite as hot this year, but still, 6 minutes is huge. It wasn't like I bonked last year so I am thrilled about this... another thing, I have 10 PR's listed in the "Personal Best" field of this blog... 8 of 10 are now less than a year old! That rocks. I had a blast post race kickin' it and drinkin' beers with all of the BTers who raced and supported today. Lot's of great times out there.

Decided to bag my workouts in favor of a full rest day. I feel weird about it, but I think it might be smart leading up to 5430 Half Ironman. So Vail update: Things are settling down. My little place is going to work out just fine. It's comfortable and I love where I live in Minturn. Ramone and I are having some epic trail runs he is happy as a clam. My job is going well so far. Lining up some talent for the season... The Reverend Horten Heat with Slim Cessna's Auto Club is confirmed for two nights in Feb(for sure sellouts). I'm getting close on a monster big show with Super Diamond in January and a lot of really cool stuff like Drag the River with Cory Branan (Think Bright eyes) and I'm trying to get Liam Finn with the Veils supporting in September! Of course I'll be lining up some heavy hitting punk stuff too so stay tuned!

Internet was down in Vail/Minturn yesterday. I will touch base today!