The Nautica South Beach Triathlon - Triathlon

Last Wave, Started nice and easy on the outside. A little bit of a crowd working to the outside. The water Temp 78.2 according to race director. No wet suit. But, the water temp was refreshing. Course was a half rectangle shape. Started on the initial leg on the outside. Tried to relax and get in the rhythm. After rounding the turn, I ran into some more traffic, but the water was very clear and could site the crowd easily and move back to the outside. Made the mistake of thinking the half way buoy as the rounding point. I saw the half way buoy and started merging from the outside to the inside right at the buoy I was positioned, I lifted my head and started making my turn when I noticed everybody was still moving straight ahead! It was only the half way point! Not the turn buoy! Note to self, be sure to understand the buoy layout! Swam with the group and draft swam a bit. Kept, swimming on top of people decided to move to the outside again. Beautiful beach beautiful glass like ocean water. Visibility was incredible!


Be sure to mark out where the buoys are on the course Be sure to count the number if they are all the same color

Interesting bike out, it was a bit winding and long, but enough room to pass people in some areas.

Work on moving the Garmin to swim cap and clicking the T1 start. Make sure to locate the T1 start mats! When mounting the Garmin on the bike mount be sure to watch the buttons. Seem to move through quickly.

Great course! Across the causeways and through downtown a bit! Bridges were some tough hills! Four bridges for a total of eight hills! Being in the last wave I passed quite a number of people on the bike. When coming to the bridges I knew they were going to be tough, so I would move to the 38T and the 14t and the damn rubbing of the chain on the Rocket Big ring was alerting every cyclist on the way up the bridge while eventually shifting all the way down. Should of paced myself better on the bridges, I was feeling it and slowing a bit about mile 17. Pulled my feet out a bit early, but still managed to pass a few on the last .5 mile or a bit less.

Be better prepared for the hills

Pulled the feet out a bit early.

Be sure to know the landmarks for the end of the bike.

Started out easy to get into a rhythm. It was overcast which is good for me. It helps keep my body temp down. The run along the beach walkway was beautiful! Not breezy, but the overcast skies kept it from getting out of control. 3 water stops. At each dumped cup on head and body and drank some. During mile 3 meet an English couple out for a run on the beach walk. Just tried to keep the run comfortable. When approaching the beach I picked it up. Running on the beach for that small bit was an interesting challenge. The finish area was crowded but joyous. The cold wet towel when crossing the finishing line was the best race idea ever. Every race in Florida should handout a wet ice water soaked towel to the finishers! It was great!

Maybe push a bit harder

Enjoyed the cool towel and walked among the crowd on the beach.


More training


Enjoyed the race and it was well organized for a first race. Really liked the venue. It was good that it was overcast on the run, it will be Florida Hot! Hot! Hot! on days it is not. Looking forward to doing this race again.