An endorphin-craving, wild-eyed smurf-like triathlete sits on my shoulder and consistently asks this question after every race, and most training sessions. While visible only to me, you will simply have to trust that she exists. In fact, she looks exactly like me, but just in miniature smurf size. With three weeks elapsed since IMLP, she has grown persistent and insistent in asking this question. She must be answered. I can no longer hide inside the post-race glow. It’s time to reflect reflect upon what worked–those strategies that helped me achieve a personal best by 41 minutes–and what didn’t work–those strategies …