This was my first open water swim. This year, in the pool, I didnt swim more the 500m non-stop, and I did that in 12 minutes. I was sure that the water was cold (not too much), and if I touched it before the race start, it would disencourage me. Some people were wearing wetsuits. So, I said to myself that when the bell rings, I will just rush into the water, and thats what I did. What a scock. It was colder than I thought, and I couldnt see half a yard ahead of me, because the water was very muddy. If I had to describe it in one phrase, it would be: I tough I was going to die. As advised here, I went to the back of my battery, and this proved usefull until I was overlapped... The first lap I was about 10 meters to the left of where I had to go.
I dont know how did I go back to the water to do the second lap. I think it is a crazy spirit that takes over control, and you lose the instinct of self-preservation. About 50m in the second lap, I laid on my back to breath. Good thing is I am stubborn, and I wanted really bad to finish it. Altough the course was a triangle, I think I zig-zaged a lot. I tried not to rush in the beggining, but I had to or I would die. In fact, I rushed the whole thing... and it turned out to be my best swim split for 750 of all times, with a time faster than my 500m time. I have to make a concious effort to keep good technique, and it was hard sometimes and it was bad. I usually breath every 3 or 4 strokes, but I could do it and did it every other stroke. I was really afraid. WHen I came out of the water and put on the HRM strap, it was 194 (didnt feel like it tough). Didnt hit to much pepople because there was no one around me. Some people of the other start (5min later) passed me. I found out later that the pros here in Brasil use this race as a preparatory event to the national championship. I dont consider my time to be bad, I think it is very good. If even this way I finished last (and overlapped), I think that everybodye else was very good.

Dont rush. If I had done it 3 minutes slower, I would have gained about 13 minutes on the bike, and something on the run. Swim more, so that I can do it comfortably and still bike.

Was kinda lost. First transition ever. My girlfriend taped it. A volunter took my bike off the rack to help me, but I didnt know that he was a volunter and thought that he was taking my bike away! My girlfriend also rushed me, I think she was also worried. Being last in the swim must have freaked her out, because she didnt find me.

Take of cap and goggles while running to the transisiton area. Dont take a towel (it wasnt really necessary).

I knew that I had to bring my hear rate down or I wouldn run. So, I didnt push too hard. The left hill was about 800m long, and it was very steep. Everybody passed me. The first time I tried to drink from my bottle, ist top came out and gatorade spills over me. The bike was pretty much eventless. Everybody passed me. Very nice bikes. Then, I started smilling, and I couldnt stop smilling, because I was very happy. Stayed happy for the rest of the race. The third time I was on the left hill, I talked to a man that came from Sao Paulo to do his first triathlon too, and told him that we where the last ones...we chated a litle and, on the way down, he was faster than me. Didnt have the courage to go faster because the surface wasnt very good and my wheel wasnt perfect. One person had two flats... At the right end of the course (that was pretty much straight), one guy fell while turning around, and the ambulance went there to catch him. When this was anounced at the transisiton area, my girlfriend was worried, because it was anounced that a man with a red jersey (like me) in the last lap (like me) on the right hill(like me) had fallen. Because of the whell, she was justifiably concearned. By the third lap my HR was about 155, wich is 6-8 beats above my long rides rate.

Check bike three days before. Push a litle on not to steep or long hills. I forgot that this was a race, not a practice, and that it is OK to stand up when necessary because I am not building strenght. I also relied too much on my HRM. Maybe I should ignore it. I think that in a normal day I could do the circuit in less than 40 minutes. It took me 53, when it should take me about 45 max.

I have to run with socks. They were in my pocket. Got my hat, put on socks, put on shoes, and go. Last person out of the transistion.

Nothing.

Walked four times, about 100-150m each when going uphill. Had plenty of water. Was the only one running at the end. When I was reaching the finish line, the person with the microfone called out my name made a litle speech to cheer me up and everybody (all the other atletes were waiting to the transition to open) started whistling and claping their hands. It was very cool. A volunter started running by my side to cheer me up, and i decided to have some fun and sprint to the end. And that music from chariots of fire was playing. I guess that if I finished second last it would be as great.

I dont think I did bad. But I would run more and push harder, since ther was nothing else after the run.

Swim abbility. 750 meters (830 yards) nonstop is still too much for me. If I had enough energy after the swim, I would have done faster, since I have done bike/run bricks with good splits.


The "too hard" is because of the swim. Had to go back home because had an appointment at 2pm. I was really impressed with the pros. First place did it in about 1 hour. This race takes place 6 times a year. Next one is on August 28. I think I will do it. I liked it a lot, and dont care a bit about being the last. This was my first one, and I have to do more tris do get some experience. The best thing I can get from these races is motivation.