Happy with this overall swim except for poor sighting and going way off course several times. Was a little nervous prior to start as this was my first OWS. Convinced myself that I was going to have trouble (aka drowing) so opted to switch to a white cap just prior to race start. Felt a little more comfortable as I saw a few others wearing white also.
All nervousness swept aside as soon as horn sounded and racing started. waited until 95 % of swimmers were off before starting out myself. Got comfortable quickly and soon settled into the task at hand. Found myself passing a few people and began to get caught up in the "washing machine" which wasn't bad but good for the experience. Stopped a couple times going out to the first buoy for sighting to make sure I was on target. Took my time rounding the first buoy but could have just swam around it no problem...next time. A few more strokes and I was rounding the second buoy and feeling pretty good. Noticed that I wasn't even close to being last, where I thought I would be by this time. Started out on the path to the third buoy and was feeling fine. Suddenly felt alone so I popped my head up and I was about 25m off course, damn! Made the necessary corrections and continued on. Same thing happened after going around the third buoy. I'm sure the spectators watching from the dock where thinking "look at that dumb ass newbie, has no idea where the hell he's going".
Felt strong during the last hundred meters and swam past the dock and headed for the shore. Usually feel like passing out from exhaustion coming out of the water but this time I felt great and started taking off my wetsuit and running up the beach to T1. My first open water swim...Done!

Sighting and staying on course, put in an extra 25-50 meters for sure.

Took a bit longer in T1 as it was first time with wetsuit. Wasn't really hurrying to much, just wanted to take the time to get everything right.

Practice transitions more.

Got out of transition ok but probably took too long mounting the P2. Bike was in wrong gear so struggled with that then off onto the course. I usually like to ride the course prior to race day but didn't do so this time. Had a slower than usual pace off of the mark but soon got up to speed.
Came across a slight downhill with a dogleg left a few kilometers into the course. Volunteers shouting for everyone to slow down for the wet road conditions on the corner. Applied the brakes but response was slow so a little more pressure on the lever and rear wheel locks up! Before I have any time to react, the rear wheel slides out to the right and tries to pass me. I take countermeasures to control the slide but suddenly the tire gets traction and jars the bike violently, throwing me into the air. I land hard on the pavement and can feel a few parts of my body already aching in pain. I dust myself off, jump on the bike to go but the chain has come off, damn! While putting the chain back on, I notice my water bottle missing and have to retrieve it from the ditch. By now, I can really feel pain in my elbow, both hands, right foot and thigh.
Start out on the course again and begin passing people. Got into a groove and passed a few more people on my way back to transition.

Not crash! Other than that not a bad ride in the rain.

Had problems finding my spot. All the bike racks looked the same, blah! finally spotted my area and got to business. Wasn't really rushing things along, felt kinda lazy.

Practice transitions more. Seems like my times are getting slower instead of faster.

Started off on the run feeling pretty good. Had to pay attention not to trip on the roots and obstacles along the lakeshore path at the beginning. Route continued onto a beach section which was hard to trudge through in the wet sand. Then onto the neighborhood streets for the 2nd half of the run. Didn't need to hydrate at the water stations and kept a comfortable pace throughout the run but didn't really push it too hard. Probably should have had a better time considering it was only a 4 km run.
Nice finish section with supporters cheering racers onto the line.

Haven't done a lot of training for the run since spring and felt it on this race.

Looked for a first aid attendant to clean up the blood running down from my elbow.


Crashing and poor sighting on the swim added minutes to my overall time. Lessons learned for next year.


This is a nice little race to finish off the season. Might be back next year to do my first ever Olympic distance with open water.