This was slow swim for everyone. I think there were two reasons:

1. The swim was in Lake Michigan, and it was pretty calm, but there was still some tide/current action that we had to work against in the lake.

2. THE WATER WAS FREEZING COLD! I almost quit in the first 50 m. I couldn't breath, and I certainly couldn't keep my face in the water. I looked around and a ton of us were either swimming with our heads out of the water or backstroking because it was so freaking cold. The race organizers said the water temp was mid 60s, but I do not believe them. Some seasoned triathletes didn't even start the race because they thougt the water was too cold and miserable. That should have been a warning.

Pay more attention to water temps before getting in. Not wake up an hour late.

Find out if there are any techniques for catching your breath when you are in freezing cold water.

This was, no joke, an 800m transition. We ran out of the water, across the beach, to the pier. Once their I stripped my wetsuit and put on running sandles so I could run the 700 remaining meters back to the transition area. The pier was a nice combination of wood plank and cement so running without shoes seemed like a bad choice.

The transition area was at the top of a hill too, so after not being able to breath in the swim and having to run 800 m back to TI, then we had a hill climb.

Once I got to the transition area, I noticed that my chain had fallen off, so that added more time to my transition as well. However, I still had one of the faster transition times for the women in this race, so I guess its not that bad.

I felt great on the bike and actually think my speed was probably more like 18 mph. I was cranking, and feeling good. Problem was, I was zapped for the run.

not burn my legs so much on the bike.

bet

walked around. Found trixie. tried to cool off. At this point I realized I was over heated.


Bad pre race routine. Not a good taper plan. Waking up late and not getting my coffee. Blowing out on the bike.


This will be a great race once they work out the first year problems. The volunteers had no idea which end was up, and there are some logistics they could improve on. However, I did enjoy the race and will be back next year. Change for next year's plan is to actually stay in Grand Haven the night before and not have this chaos in the morning. :)

Note: I believe I did set one record on Sunday. Land speed from Lansing to Grand Haven.