Ironman Kansas 70.3 - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I started out fairly strong (for me) and comfortably. Then I got a mouthful of lake water and had to stop to cough it up. The waves got worse as we got away from the shore. I continued to have breathing problems due to the waves (some appeared to be boat wake) on the way out and spent a lot of time side stroking. make the turn around in about 26 minutes, which was bad, but I was still on track to completed. The waves were worse on the way back in. I had to stop several times and received assistance from the kayak volunteers (who were awsome, supportive and looking out for us). I was pulled for missing the cutoff about 250m from shore.

I was unprepared for the choppy water. I need more practice in open water swim. I never paniced, but I wore myself out with less efficient swim techniques. I spent too much time side stroking and I got out of my plan.

Never in my worst case scenarios did I see myself not completing the swim before cutoff. I still know I could have finished if not for the inefficient swim style I resorted to. I will be back. I know I can do this swim and will continue to work to make myself a stronger open water swimmer.