My first open water swim since September 2013. I skipped the wetsuit due to the high temperature and my natural buoyancy.

I had considered wearing my vibram five fingers for the swim, as I have done at other events. Even in good conditions, I struggle being barefoot due to some long term health issues. I will never second guess this again. In this race, footwear for the swim would be a good idea for everyone. The shoreline is a deathtrap for the feet. It's an entire shoreline of jagged shale piles. It was absurd. I really think the race directors should draw attention to it in the race description. I am from outside the area, so maybe all the locals know that Lake Erie does not want you climbing into it, but this was news to me.

WEAR SHOES

Long transition that really includes osme of the official swim time. My in water time was 29:59 - the rest is getting out through the rock garden and up the hill.

WEAR SHOES

bring a water bottle just for rinsing my sand covered feet.

This was my first real life bike ride in ages. I've been living on Zwift for a few months. I had to make sure I could still steer the thing! Handling skills are not my strength currently.

That said - there were two issues with this course.

#1 - the road conditions. Absolute shit show. I live in the middle of Pennsylvania, known for our terrible roads. This place was worse. I almost wrecked twice just going over the surface, not even potholes. If I lived in the area, there is not a single stretch of this road I would ride voluntarily.

#2 - yes, it is the athlete's responsibility to know the course. But it is also the job of the race to mark changes WELL. That means big bold and obvious. I'm an RD. I have a new appreciation for how stupid you have to assume the racers are, how turned off the brain is during a race, and make it EASY to discern the course. I am not the only one who did this:

I cut the course accidentally. I had to self-DQ. There should have been two separate signs instead of two arrows and two instructions on the same one. So I ended up cutting 2 miles off the course, which I realized at the end.

My fault yes, but they bear a certain percentage of that. Maybe 25%.

review the map ahead of time to be sure. Not rely on the course volunteers to direct helpfully.

Not ride this race. These roads were a total disaster. If I had one of those expensive bikes I would have been pissed.

Look, I am a super slow dude getting back into it. I'm not making any awesome transitions like a pro.

I do use quick pull shoelaces in my running shoes, so that's something.

It's been a long time, but considering my lack of run load, I was actually happy with a sub 50m run split in a tri

train more. Not walk. Not chat with people. Race?

I hate this question. Move on


It was ok. If I were local, I might do it regularly if I knew I could ride more to the left on the roads. They are seriously awful. I found it when I was looking for an olympic distance around that date, on a Saturday. It's 4 hours drive for me, but I have a good friend in Buffalo. But it's not a must-do, worth-the-trip kind of event. My son was disappointed that they canceled the kids tri, but weather is weather. I do wish it was more clear about who would make that decision, how and when. Meaning, it did clear off, so if there was a chance of reconsidering, we never know. No big deal, I'm not asking to speak to the manager or anything.

It's a fine local no frills workout opportunity.

I will give top marks on water safety, probably the most important thing there is. The counting and corral system, the excellent visibility of the buoys, the kayaker presence, all good. I can do without choking on jet ski exhaust though. Not sure anyone ever thinks of that and weighs whether they are helpful to be going around spitting it out around people trying to breathe intentionally.