Could have started further up in the pack to get some space at the beginning. Couldn't even swim for the first hundred feet due to people just sort of floundering about. Fought my way past some breaststrokers and got along better after that.

Trained. This was the first 750 m I'd swam since... March. Oops! Definitely could have been faster, and I felt really comfortable the whole time. I wanted to just do the whole thing again when I got out of the water.

I used the potty, hence the long T1.

Not have coffee. I know this but I did it anyway.

Got stuck behind some newbies a few times, but on the second loop the course had really cleared out so I was able to dig in a little.

My shorts started "biting" me a bit during the last few miles. Not stopping at the bathroom would have solved this.

Started off with a gas bubble from chugging Gatorade too quickly. Walked a lot in the beginning, then settled into a good run/walk pattern for the rest of the race. Walked a little long than I should have (chatting with friends) in the middle. Started getting blisters (that's a first) about halfway through. I blame the sand/wet socks.

Run didn't FEEL awesome but it was on pace with what I've been doing.

Lack of training.


Consistently a good environment for a relaxed, easy, no-surprises race. The only downside is that while it attracts new people (which is fantastic) there is a lot more blocking on the bike course.