St. Anthony's Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Well, I thought there were going to be two waves of red gap swimmers and of course I was in the second wave. Once the age group was called to the swim staging area, I didn't see anymore red caps out of the shute. So I got in the shute and got ready for the swim. I gave Anica a small kiss and joined the red caps. Once the horn sounded my plan was to stay in the back of the pack. I walked until the water was about chest high and began my swim. About the time I reached the first orange bouy, I was freeked out! I stopped and began to tread water because I was having a hard time breathing. This was in my head and I wasn't feeling this whole thing after all. . I knew from the previous day that my wetsuit was my safety zone - I could float. I was approached by a surfer and he asked if I was okay. I said yes but I was having trouble breathing, he told me to hang on to the board and relax. He asked if I wanted out of the water and I said NO!! I calmed myself down and began swimming again. I swam somewhere in between the first and second bouy only to be met by another surfer. He again asked if I was okay and I said no, problems breathing. I hung on to that surfer's board for a little while and refused to leave the water. He told me that I would be okay. I told him I did it in the pool, but he said it was much different in the ocean. I then swam some more while he surfed along side me until just past the second bouy. I then grabbed on to a canoe. This person told me that I could swim from bouy to canoe and to take my time that I would be okay. This procedure went on the entire swim route until I had 200 meters left of the swim. Somewhere prior to the 500 meter bouy, I was asked if I wanted out of the water and the surfer had the rescue boat start his way. I had to tell him F**K NO (in a loud manner). I reached the first of two yellow bouy - 500 meters. Somewhere around the 700 meter mark, I was already passed by at least to wave of swimmers. At this canoe, he told me I was half way there so I should keep going. I started swimming but I was swimming crooked and my steering sucked. At this point I was pass the point of no return but I was running out of time. I asked the canoe lady what time it was after she said I could stay there as long as I wanted. I told her I had 70 minutes to finish the swim. She said it was 8:35 and that meant I was in the water for 45 minutes already. I knew on a good day I could swim 500 meters in 14 to 15 minutes in the pool. I had to get going or I wouldn't make the cut off time. Once I reached the second yellow bouy, I knew it was only 500 meters to the stairs, they looked so very far. At the 1200 meter bouy, I swam literally right into it. Once I managed to get around the giant bouy the rope caught my foot and I thought something from the ocean grabbed me. I FREEKED OUT AGAIN EVEN MORE. I waved and a canoe came to my aid. Again, I calmed myself down and began the swim to the shore. I had swam almost to the 200 meter bouy on Saturday so this was familiar. There wasn't any canoe or surfers to hang on to after this point so the swim was on. I had difficulty steering but I made it to the steps. I was helped up but the volunteer and I lost our grip and I fell back in the ocean. I finally got up the steps and I wanted to kiss the land - But I knew, I had to move on. I could hear Anica on the side saying "you made it honey" but I was afraid I didn't make the cut off time. I ran and grabbed a cup of water followed by a strong Gatorade drink.

I did what I had to do to finish this swim and conquer my fear - period.



Lesson Learned: Don't look back once in the water, more open water swims, trust yourself and your ability. MORE SWIMMING IS NEEDED. Hire a swim coach and become a better swimmer. Eventually trust your swimming abiliites and practice more sighting.

My legs felt weird maybe it was because the wetsuit gave me this effect. I had problems taking the wetsuit off on the top portion because I was pulling the zipper the wrong way. I fixed this problem prior to arriving to Nikki (my bike name). My googles and cap ended up in my wetsuit sleeve (don't ask). The legs came off easy thanks to body glide prior to swim. I was worried about the timing strap breaking. I washed my feet, dried them with a towel. I then placed my bike shoes on, helmet, and sunglasses. I was concerned about the wetsuit so I placed it near my transition bag. OH, I forgot to mention Nikki was the only bike on the rack, so tranisition was all mine. Did I mention my dream of having to get on the bike with my wetsuit because I couldn't get it off for over 10 minutes?!?!

Lesson learned: Get a bucket or milk crate to sit down (Jimmy said so). This will make this transition easier. Of course this was my plan but I didn't bring one. Run faster from the water to bike and leave the bike shoes open. I think it went smooth for being my first transition ever.

I felt pretty good on the bike this was my event. It took me about 3 mile to get in my groove. I GU'ed up somewhere after the first mile. I didn't have any water since I spilled my aero bottle and my other two bottles were Gatorade and Heed. I poured the Gatorade in the aero bottle and tired some. Holy shit it was strong, but my plan was to dilute it with the water left in the aero bottle. Oh did I forget to say, I spilled it in transition set-up. So until mile 13, I drank small sips of strong Gatorade. I also forget to set-up my Aero bottle straw prior so it was to low for the duration of the ride. I also lost the yellow contraption that sits in the Aero bottle to prevent spills, it fell off way prior to mile 1. I wasn't the only one missing this yellow contraption - I saw a bunch of them on the course.

Lesson learned: Fill up the Aero bottle once on your bike in transition set-up, use it during my training rides. Ride harder and in the aero position more. Change my seat it sucks. OH did I forget make sure the yellow contraption from the aero bottle is stuffed inside the bottle correctly.

I felt good during this portion. I ran with Nikki and racked her pretty easy. Again the bucket would've been a good asset. I took off my helmet then placed my running shoes on. I also had to my 2 GU's for the run and placed them in Tri suit.

Lesson learned: Take off helmet will slipping on running shoes, place race number while running. Attach GU's to race belt or store them while running with both. Run harder with bike. Pratice getting your feet out of the pedal on the bike prior to getting to the dismount area. Also pratice running and biking without socks.

I started out feeling okay and my legs felt like I had two bricks attached to each foot. I got a high five from RT just at the start. It seemed like the first mile took forever. I finally reached the first water stop and I needed some water. My plan was two waters over the head and drink a water and a gatorade every other stop. I continued this plan the entire run. I had difficulty breathing due to the heat. My leg muscles were strong but I mentally let the breathing issue impact my race. I ran and walked a goof portion of this 10k which isn't of my nature. I did what I had to do to finish this run - period..

I would've trained more on running bricks. Since I was having difficulty swimming the distance 3 weeks prior to the race. I concentrated all my focus on the swim portion. I conquered the distance in the pool but my running was limited to next to nothing. I did a 6.5 mile run in Buckhead the week of the race and my legs were sore for two days afterwards. My legs were undertrained.

I crossed the finish line and recieved the best gift of all times - A very wet cold towel which I placed over my head. This towel remained there for a long time. I got my medal and they cut off my timing chip. I drank two cold botles of water and walked over to Anica. I told her this was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I later walked over to get 2 cold beers with Bobby. This was a little piece of heaven found in Florida. I the stood by the finish line and watched the rest of the Get Fitters come home to the finish line.


I need more training in the water and I shouldn't let more running go to shit.

I will be back to St. Anthonys next year with a more powerful performance.


This was a great race. It was well organized and lots of volunteers. My only problem was the timing chip lines need to be organized this was a cluster.

The people in the water were great and very supportive. Thanks to them for all their support and encouragement. This was by far a great experience in setting a goal, facing my fears and overcoming the challenge - I live to Tri-Again!!!!