Water conditions were rough. 2-3 foot waves, tide coming in. As this was my first tri opted to start in first timers wave rather than age groupers. Decided I would go to front of wave, try to go out hard to have some open water and then settle in to my pace. In the previous waves I saw a lot of people walking 3/4 of way out to 1st buoy and didn't want added challenge of having to navigate around others in my wave. Current was coming in and pushing toward left of buoy. Had trouble sighting as every time I looked up I seemed to get hit with a wave and get a mouth full of water. Was pushed left of buoy and once able to finally catch sight of first buoy realized that I was a good 10 yards to left. Corrected, just got to the outside of buoy (navigating the swimmers holding on the buouy) and made way parallel with beach. Much easier once made first turn. After 3rd buoy turned left to come back to beach and swam until water just under waist high when started to walk. A lot of people were wading in and I found it difficult to try to swim around everyone. The race organizer warned us of shells, rocks on beach so I tried to carefully run to transition. Would find out later regarding cuts to feet. Didn't know it at time as my watch never started but swam my fastest 100 pace to date. Was great to see my cheering wife and kids as I came out of water.

More open water swims in rough water. Continue to practice sighting on fewere strokes

Overall happy with transition particulary since this was my first time in live action. Had trouble getting wetsuit over heels. Sat down and was able to get suit off easily. Quickly put socks and bike shoes on. Had read on multiple posts the tip to roll socks in advance and then roll onto feet. Worked great! Thanks to all who gave advice. Ran out of transition and was able to jump on bike

Continue to practice getting wetsuit off quickly. Area for time savings.

Was very pleased with my ride. Stayed aero and kept cadence >95 throughout. Coming out of lead-out from park there was a sharp right turn onto the course. Was a little too aggressive, took the turn too tight and clipped my pedal. Violently disengaged from both pedals but managed to stay upright, quickly clip in and get up to speed. Fortunately I've had this happen on a few rides so had "practice" dealing with scenario. Did make me a little more tentative on the turnaround. After completing first loop realized how my kids occupied the 1 1/2 hour wait for the race start. They had snuck poster board in the car and colored a "Go Dad" sign for me. Way cool!

Try to work on getting more efficient aero position.

Couldn't have gone any better. Had practiced jumping off moving bike and it worked like a charm. Was able to run to transition, pull bike shoes off, slide running shoes on (Yankz are great) and was off. Surprised my family with how fast I got through T2 and only picture my wife was able to capture was of my backside.

nothing

Was able to run right out of T2 and while legs felt somewhat heavy was glad I had done the bricks and transition runs in the weeks prior to this. After a few minutes felt like had legs back and settled into run. Overall felt good except for a little GI twinges I suspect was from the ocean water I swallowed on swim. Didn't drink anything on run figuring tank was full from what I drank on bike and anything I would drink on run would likely kick in after I crossed the finish. Again watch hadn't started so had no idea how fast I was running. Was extremely happy to see how fast I ran. Haven't run this fast over the last 4 years.

More bricks. Have never been a particularly strong runner (susceptible to injuries - stress fractures) and have always focussed on long, slow, easy runs. Perhaps time to introduce some speedwork

Found family, hugs and kisses from supportive wife and kids. Went back out on run course with my son to cheer on finishers and find my training partners who were competing. Later grabbed a bagel, walked around. In retrospect wished I had stretched more afterward.


For my first tri I exceeded all expectations regarding how I would perform. Validated all the hours of training I've put in since last October when I decided I want to complete a triathlon. Gave everything I had. Now time to increase volume of riding, work to improve running speed further. Weight: I've dropped 20 pounds since starting training and hope to drop another 5-10 before next tri in ~1 mnth.


Race caters to the beginner triathlete and is certainly a great race to cut teeth on. Tough weather conditions only increased the sense of accomplishment my friends and I felt.

Biggest downside is the condition of the beach with rocks and broken shells. Race director, volunteers tried to clear the beach but simply too much to remove all. Everyone I know left with cuts on feet.