I just did a trial run of the upcoming Spring Fever triathlon. I did everything in order but didn't rush through actual transitions. I changed out of my swim trunks in the locker room, then stopped for a drink before I got on the bike. I didn't check my splits, I just looked at the clock when I started & when I finished. Pre-Race I started with a bowl of plain instant oatmeal two hours before the race. One bite later I added honey and brown sugar. Then I had a banana, and an hour before I had a peanut butter Power Bar. I got to the YMCA and realized I was off an hour on their opening time, so I ate an apple and a package of smoked salmon. Somewhere along the way I ate another Power Bar and drank a bottle of Gatorade. The Swim The swim needs work. If I could crawl the entire distance I'd save several minutes. I made it through most of the first 50 meters and then I was gassed & started throwing in sidestrokes to catch my breath. I sure didn't negative split the swim. Around 200 meters I was really out of breath so I did most of the next 100 on my back until I caught my breath. I did concentrate on gliding and that helped a lot. My technique needs work. I should get a coach but I'll save that for after this race when I have time to concentrate on swimming for a while. The Bike I went a little short on the bike. I didn't check my odometer when I finished my loop but I think I cut off somewhere around a mile. I wore two pair of compression shorts on the bike (with no chamois or padding) and that was not uncomfortable. It was a little bit warm in places but the shorts slid against each other just like two pair of socks. I road from the YMCA up to Boomer Lake and did a couple of laps there. The wind, around 10-15mph, was slowing me down. I went around the lake clockwise, so that I was against the wind on the exposed side. I was averaging around 15-16 until I hit the wind, then I was down to 10. Of course a guy flew by me around 15-20 right when it was hurting the most. I remember that because he was wearing a t-shirt and running shorts, while I'm going half his speed in my lycra & spandex. I didn't have a proper water bottle. I refill a 16-ounce bottle that was either Gatorade or Vitamin Water. It fits my cage well, but it's a twist-off lid. So I need to start using a regular water bottle. There's another advantage of aerobars - an aerobar bottle with a straw. I wonder if I could just strap one of those aerobar bottles to my stem? The Run T2 goes pretty quick when you're wearing your running shoes in toe clips on the bike. I put the bike away & finished off my pint of Gatorade, then staggered off on jelly legs. The jelly feeling went away after just a few yards. I didn't pace myself well, I kept getting winded and I ended up walking a good portion of the two miles. My legs were doing fine, I was just out of breath. The last brick I did went the other way - my lungs & heart held out but I was having trouble pickup up my feet. I went from the Y across the OSU campus to the Colvin Center and back. I got a couple of smirks, one from a campus cop and one from a college girl in a Mustang. Just like getting passed on the bike, I only realize how much spandex I'm wearing when I'm walking. I'm young enough to suspect I look odd but old enough to not care. I went by enough glass-door building that I could concentrate on my running form. It's coming along well, I just need more aerobic capacity. Summary I did the whole activity in about 1:45. This would be a bottom-of-the-pack-but-not-disgraceful finish & if I can just work out my swimming difficulties and get my heart and lungs in a little better shape I'll be closing in on my goal of 1:30. I have five weeks.