First time I have done an ocean swim over 2 miles. All things considered it went pretty well. I owe a huge debt to my friend Kevin who kayaked next to me (as required for this length race) and kept me on course. In addition, I owe a motivational debt to the guy who I couldn't shake in the last 2 miles of the race. He allowed me to focus and concentrate on a goal which was sorely needed after an hour and a half in the water.

The water was disgusting with a red tide and a fair number of jellyfish but the temperature was comfortable. I was initially disappointed with my time but have since had the opportunity to look at the results and noticed that everyone was a good 10 to 15 minutes slower than last year. There must have been a current or tide change since the difference was too consistent across swimmers. With that adjustment my time is slightly faster than the goal time I had picked before the race based on last year's results. I am very much relieved.

Try to draft better. Train more for doing a long distance ocean swim. I have been putting in long hours in the pool but I should have practiced the monotony of a long ocean swim to work on concentration and holding pace.

None. Was forced to wrap a towel around my waist because my friends were embarrassed that I was standing on a public beach in a speedo. I was so tired I could really have cared less.


Fatigue. In addition, my left shoulder and elbow started to give out during the race.


Quick funny story. During a practice swim on Saturday to work out the whole kayak and swimmer thing I just about gave my friend Kevin a heart attack. After we got out to the first buoy I proceeded to hand him my board shorts which led to an instant look of shock and horror on his face....

I guess he didn't realize I had a speedo on underneath the trunks and thought I was going to continue the swim in the buff. :)