Not really sure what went on here. Due to the cold air temp and potential cold water temp, I decided at the last minute to rent a wetsuit. I had never swam in one, so I did not know what I was in for. I started the wave in the back on the LH side (away from buoys) and just tried to site on the turn buoy. Wow, did that look like a long way out. Once the swim began, I just got in my normal rhythm rather quickly, which was about a 2:00 pace. I started coming up on people and could not hardly believe it. Before I realized where I was, I was at the first turn. Man, did that just fly by. Made the turn and then started to lose my stroke. I spent the next several minutes alternating between a breast stroke and freestyle. I did this for most of the remainder of the swim. Once I got within about 300 yards, I just sucked it up and tried my best to finish strong.

Not wear a wetsuit for the first time during your first event. Practice open water more and try to maybe slow down a little to maintain the freestyle stroke.

I don't think there was anything else I could have done differently today. I most certainly exceeded my expectations. During my practice swims of this distance, the time was around 20-22 minutes. I knocked between 5-7 minutes off that time? I have to attribute most, if not all, to the best $30 I've spent in a while - renting a wetsuit.

Not sure where to begin here, other than I need to practice these more often. Most of the time can be attributed to trying to remove the wetsuit. After that was off, the helmet, sunglasses, socks and shoes went on relatively well.

More practice in removing a wetsuit and running from the water to the transition area.

Not a whole lot here. Bike went pretty much as expected. I probably went a little hard and sure enough, paid for it on the run. When I did a practice run through a couple weeks ago, I averaged about 16 MPH, so I picked up the pace over that.

Seeing that biking is probably the one discipline that I do the easiest, I should probably try to conserve a little on the bike and keep something in the tank for the run. Also need to develop a "race pace" and keep to it.

Another somewhat botched transition. Everything was going good. Bike on the rack, shoes off, running shoes on. Then it went to hell. I put on my race belt and as soon as I did, the number popped off one side. Spent several seconds trying to get that side back in. As soon as I did, the other side popped out. WTF!!!!! Now, I'm pretty frustrated. Ended up having to take the belt off and put the number back on and then put the belt back on. Grabbed some more gel and finally made it out of T2.

Next race, I'm going to not only use the attach points on the belt, but I'm going to baby pin the number on as well.

This run went pretty much as I expected. Mix in some running and walking and just get to the finish. Grabbed some water and Gatorade at all the stations. I meant to bring my own hydration belt and drink some HEED, but forgot it in the car. As I was approaching all 3 aid stations, I took some gel out of the squeeze bottle and washed it down with some water. Ended up running the final mile or so with CraigT and didn't even know it. Sorry Craig, I guess we should have properly introduced each other at the finish line. While coming through the transition area to the finish line, we decided to pick up the pace. With about 200 yards or so to go, I picked it up to as much of a sprint as I could muster to the finish.

Try to limit or adjust my pacing to include more running and less walking. Get in better shape and lose some more weight.

Walked around for a few minutes after. Received congrats from my wife, family and friends. Went to the nutrition tent and got some water and fruit. Stretched out while cheering on some of the triathletes coming in.


The biggest area would be to improve on my transition times. With even decent T times, I could have finished with a sub 2:05. Not that I'm complaining about finishing in 2:08, when my goal was 1. To finish and 2. have a time under 2:30.