How Hard Can It Be? Round 4

[Veronica]

This is the year of the "smart" race. Typing it out helps me focus.

Swim - just get in and do it. Time on the swim really does not matter. Really, really... it does NOT matter. You can go hard and probably do a 34 min. swim or you can go easy and do a 40 min.swim. GO EASY. Yeah, the wetsuit feels weird. Just deal with it.

T1 - just do what you need to do, don't rush.

Bike - once you're out of town, start eating. Eat and drink every 15 minutes. The ride is essentially flat. Don't kid yourself - rollers and two small hills. Stay in the drops and stay just below lactate thresh hold. It's okay to go harder on the first hill. The route south sucks because of the headwind. Don't let it get to you. Stay strong, stay in the drops. Take it easier on Chalk Hill. Don't stop eating here, you have 10 miles to go. Once you're over the highway, dial it back 2 miles an hour. Cruise into the finish, it really is flat here. Keep eating, you should be done with the blocks and working on the Hammer Gel. This is not the place to hammer to get that certain bike split that you REALLY want. Either you've already done the work to get it, or you haven't.

T2 - same as T1. Take the time to get your shoes right.

Run - Stay within your zone. I know it feels slow, but you have a long way to go. Eat your gels as you approach miles 2, 4 and 6. I don't care if you don't feel hungry. Just do it! It's okay to walk while you eat, just be quick. Smile, be the cheery person who encourages others. Don't drink too much water.

Stay smart, don't go too hard, have fun.