Wow. Because of some things out of my control in the weeks leading up to this race I wasn't able to get in an OWS beforehand. I was nervous because of this but nothing could have prepared me for the feeling I had about 200 yards into the swim. I started okay but a short time before the first turn someone ran into me. I couldn't see a thing, took on some water and started to panic. At first I didn't understand what was happening. I couldn't understand why I couldn't catch my breath. A couple seconds later I realized I was hyperventilating. I started questioning what I was even doing there in the race. I called a lifeguard over and grabbed the rescue buoy to get my bearings. He asked if I was okay and I told him that I was out of breath but trying to regain my composure. He asked if I was doing one lap (sprint) or two (half -lite). When I told him two, he said "I don't know if you're gonna make it." ?!?! At this point I had started to regain my composure somewhat. I thanked him for the peptalk and told him that I was feeling better and was going to continue. It was slightly less sketchy after that and after quite some time I finally finished. My sighting was also awful. My garmin says I added 0.1 mile to the swim. I could make the arguement that it was more than that! Whatever the case I couldn't have been happier to get to the swim exit.

Lots. Obviously I need to work on acclimating to open water swimming and sighting as well. I had read that these things would be difficult for a first timer but I had no idea it would be this rough.

T1 was uneventful. I'm going to say it was a little slower than it needed to be because I was getting things under control mentally after the debacle in the water.

I started riding and was feeling rough. I was passed by a few people and I was thinking to myself that the crazy swim must have really done me in. I didn't feel like my speed was matching my effort. After about 10 or 15 mins I pulled over, dismounted and checked my tires. My front brake was rubbing hard against the wheel. WTF?! I would swear that I had checked both front and rear before the race. I adjusted it quickly and got back on and felt right again. I continued on and was able to stay in aero for a large portion of the ride. I drank and ate exactly what I had planned. I felt that I could have pushed harder but was holding back some at this point trying to ensure that I got to the run strong. After the less than stellar start I wanted to make sure that the cloud at the end of the race had a silver lining.

Check the bike thoroughly beforehand. Push harder on the ride.

T2 was good. Ran into transition, racked bike. The rack was a little full at this point :) Helmet off, bike shoes off, slipped into run shoes, run out of transition.

Nothing...or maybe get here earlier so that I don't have to move a bike over to make room to rack mine.

Had to take a quick pee break at the port-a-johns just out of transition. According to the watch it cost me just under 2 minutes so maybe not that "quick". I had to pee for about 90 minutes of the bike leg and I simply couldn't wait another minute. The run felt great. I passed a fair number of people and was just trying to take in the experience at this point. Everyone was pleasant and supportive. This was a great way to end the race.

Nothing except possibly push a little harder.

The swim was just awful. I will be training in open water a bunch over the next month or so to try to get my act together. Otherwise I will try to push harder on the bike and work to improve my pace.


This was my first triathlon so I don't have much of a barometer with which to gauge but I thought that the race was very well organized. I never wondered where I should be going (except in the water a couple times!) All of the volunteers and the fire/police folks directing traffic were great. I made sure to thank each of them as I passed.