Turtle Crawl Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Well it was tough! The waves made it almost impossible to sight. The current was unbelievable. I kept wondering where the 1st buoy was and when I saw it, I was 125 yards inside of it. I swam straight out and rounded the buoy. This was the hardest swim I have ever done. I didn't panic, which I was proud of, but it just went on forever. VERY few lifeguards I saw 3 TOTAL. I have also learned after the fact that the swim was less that professionally run and MANY people WALKED on the bottom, swam inside the buoy's and were still allowed to continue. Sorry state for Triathlete's when they find it necessary to cheat to get a better time!

Nothing, tough conditions. I made the best of it and gutted it out and from that standpoint one of my best swims ever. Absolutely the swim I am most proud of.

Not great, couldn't get my socks on... cost me some time...

have drier feet!

Let me preface this by saying that I was not as prepared for this tri as I usually am. 3x pneumonia since Jan. really curtailed my training. That being said, the swim did me in. I averaged 21.5 on the 1st lap. Not bad considering the headwind on the last 4 miles before transition. 2nd lap averaged less than 15.. awful,. I was cooked. My legs started to cramp and I never recovered.

Train like I normally do and be ready.. drink more!

I was cramping so bad I couldn't walk. I was disoriented and tried to rack my bike in the wrong place! corrected it and wasn't sure if I could run. If my legs would just stop cramping!!! Man that hurt, every step was really painful

Train Better!!

I walked with my cramps to then end of the hotel and didn't know what to do. Every step was very painful and my legs were still cramping 5 minutes after I got off the bike... My wife cam up behind me on the run and saw me in trouble and she walked about 100 yrds w/ me. the cramps faded and I ran/walked as my cramps would allow for the rest of the run course. I FINISHED!!!!

Be better prepared, like I said, the swim did me in. if it were like last year (20 minute swim) it would have been a different story... but that is what I love about triathlon... overcoming obstacles. Every race is different, even on the same course!!

Walked and tried to find some shade. there was NO food left so I had some water and a few bananas i scrounged from the nice Publix lady... hey where did all the beer go? collected my t-shirt


limited preparation.


What a great learning experience. I have now had "that race" and I can take a lot away from it. Train harder. I can swim for 55 minutes in rough water and come out alive. I can gut out a run when I have severe leg cramps. I think the RD should really take a look back at the swim and add more people in the water. It was dangerous for some and not nearly enough lifeguards in the water. DQ people who don't follow the rules. It is about integrity people!!! I WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR, PREPARED AND SET A PR!!!