Starting strategy this year was to line up far right and try to hold the shortest possible line to get in under the Bay Bridge spans. This worked well and I got out ahead of most of my wave before getting between the spans. Once between the bridges I held close to the souther (eastbound) bridge to counter the flood tide that was attempting to push us northward. For me the tide never seemed to get very strong so I had very little need to continually correct my vector to stay in bounds. After the 1 mile marker the waves and chop got a little intense, coming straight at us and slapping us around a bit. Once we passed through the initial curve in the bridge, the waves came at more of an angle and had less of an effect. I kept waiting to get sea sick (last year it got pretty bad) but thankfully it never came. I hit mile 2 feeling absolutely wonderful. At this point last year I was struggling to continue, but now I felt great. I stopped at the food boat and drank a cup of water and ate a piece of bananna and set right off. Mile 3 came up quickly and I still felt good, but needed some refueling, so I ate a GU gel pack and drank a cup of water from the second food boat. Energized and ready to go I started mile 4 and found I was revitalized. I played a drafting game with the swimmers passing me from the later wave, trying to hang on to each one that passed me long as possible. Kind of reminded me of the old Frogger video game. This occupied me so much that before I knew it I had passed mile 4 and was out from under the bridges and only had about 500 meters to go. I had enough in me for a full sprint and finished strong, holding off a few yellow caps who were trying to pass me. When I crossed the finish line I saw the clock read 2:05, 15 minutes faster than last year. Very cool.

Nothing. Except more training couldn't hurt.

Food and a change of clothes. 500 ml Endurox R4 for recovery. Bought 2 t-shirts from last year's swim, hung out with my parents, and stopped at Starbuck's on the way home still feeling good. What a great swim.


Training training training. Always can use more training. Specifically long set interval work (e.g. 10 x 300s or 400s at 75% effort).


This race takes over 700 volunteers to enable only 600 swimmers to complete the event safely. It is incredibly well run and is a unique event unlike no other. You MUST try this race at least once in your life, just make sure you sign up AFTER me so I don't get closed out of it. :-)