WOW, this was a nightmare. I started out confident of a good time based on my last 2 races which were 1500 meters and 1.2 miles. 600 seemed like a piece of cake. I was in the middle of the pack and moving nicely, I looked up and it didn't seem like I was getting close to the turn. I kept pushing and finally looked at my watch and it said 13 minutes and I still wasn't at the buoy. I knew something was wrong but I kept going as there were plenty of people in front and beside me. I finally got about 10 feet from the buoy and all of a sudden people are swimming back at me. I see a lifeguard on a jetski and he says turn around the buoy had broke loose. I was so angry. I turned around and pushed back to the shore. I swam pretty good going back in. I passed quite a few people on the way in but I really didn't handle the adversity well. I was angry and when I got to the shallow water I lost focus. People were whining and complaining and I joined the negativity. I didn't hurry out of the water and my mind was not on racing.

I could not have changed what happened with the buoy, but I could have changed how I reacted.

Once I crossed the timing mat I started jogging but head was not in it. When I got to the bike I really didn't hurry. I was contemplating quitting but decided I wanted to try my new bike position.

Forget the swim, it was over.

I went to the bike shop yesterday and got refitted. I flipped the seat post to the forward position and raised the saddle. I didn't get a chance to ride in the new position before the race. When I started out my cadence wasn't working, after about a mile I decided I really needed the cadence so I reach down and fixed it on the fly (pretty cool). I was moving pretty good, but the position change was a pretty big change. Shortly after the turn, I saw my wife coming and realized she could catch me so I woke up and pushed home really hard. With about a mile to go, I went over a bump and my aerobars slipped down, now I am really in an aggressive position. I pushed home and finished well. I was pretty sapped at the end.

Should have waited to change position, but I want to go faster!!! The new position was tough but I think it helped.

Didn't take feet out of shoes, not sure why just didn't feel like it. I did really good in transition, shoes on quickly, had the race belt on the hat and got out quick.

feet out of shoes, although I am not sure it really helps much.

Not very good. I started out okay but I knew I didn't have it. My attitude had improved significantly but I just didn't have anymore. I think the last 2 races the heat and the hard bike really took it out of me. My lovely wife caught me just past the first mile and quickly left me.

Too many races have cut my run training time. I need to get more miles in and also more bricks.

went back to finish line to watch for Mr and Mrs H 13.


I dealt poorly with the swim fiasco. I should have forgot it as soon as I exited the water.


I am a bit disappointed with the Race Management. I have done at least 10 of their races and the last 2 have not been very well done I am lucky that I am an okay swimmer and used to the long distance. For rookies or folks who have problems in open water, this race could have been a disaster. The management should have done a better job securing the buoy and they should have seen the problem much sooner. I hope today's race sends them a wake up call.

By the way, for the official results, they threw out the swim and scored it as a duathlon. The great news is that after they threw out the swim my wife won her age group!! Also, I got to meet the H-13's and a couple of other great folks.