This was my first open water swim, first mass start swim and first swim with a wet suit. So, I was very nervous about this part of the race. When I saw the course, I relaxed some as there was very little chop and the water was warm. The warm up also helped as I got a feel for swimming in a wet suit. Between the wet suit and the salt water, I felt very bouyant and fast. At the start, I tried to stay to the back and outside but I pull to the right when I swim which kept pulling me into the pack of swimmers. The swim went a lot faster than I expected even with spending most of the race getting hit or running up on people. I even managed to catch a few people from the first wave (3 wave race), although I did get passed from the people in the 3rd wave. Another reason for the fast pace was the longest leg was down river which helped considerably. Also during this leg I was able to find some open water and got into a good pace. Overall I was very happy with the swim and was glad when it was done.

I got caught up in the race near the end of the swim and swam the last 100m too fast, so I was out of breath going into the transition

I thought my transition was slow but I was trying to get my heart rate down before the bike. This was also the first time taking a wetsuit off during a race. It's amazing how easy it comes off when you have on 5lbs of bodyglide. It was also at least a 70 yard run from the water to the transition area.

Try to slow down at the end of the swim, so I'm not out of breath

I thought this would be a strength but I sucked on the bike today. It started with still having my heart rate too high and ended up with cramps at the 20 mile mark. It took me the first 3 miles to get comfortable and every time I got on the aero bars I felt horrible. I got over the first big hill in good shape and started to pick up the pace. Then at the turn around, I felt the first twinges in my calfs. I tried to stretch on the bike but any time I tried to push a big gear they would tweak. So, I kept it in a lower gear and tried to spin through the cramps. At the 20 mile mark I had to stop and get off and stretch. I couldn't get my left leg through a whole revolution. I stretched for at least a minute and drank some water. I was able to spin and made it back to the transition area. Obviously, I was wondering if I would be able to run.

I'm not sure if it was just a lack of stetching before the race, lack of water, not enough training but I need to change something before my next race. I've had this problem for the last year with my calfs.

I got changed quickly and then drank about half a bottle of gatorade. I stretched for the cramps and started the run.

Not drink so much gatorade. Felt like I was going to hurl for the first mile of the run.

The first 1 mile was difficult as I drank too much gatorade and I was worried about cramps. Anyway I basically did what they call in the Army the "airborne shuffle" the first half mile. After that I started feeling better and picked up the pace. I didn't get splits but I know I ran the second 5k faster than the first. I felt I could have run farther if I had too but I'm not sure I could have run a faster pace at the beginning. I was pretty happy with the time considering it was my first "long" triathlon.

At each of the water stops, I poured water on my head and ended up with wet shoes. Next time I'll be more carefull with my shoes

I walked around and got my wet shoes off. Then drank some water.


Cramps on the bike. I need to work on stretching and nutrition.


This was my first "International distance" triathlon, so I was happy with the results, even with the bad bike time. I was amazed at the jump in the level of competition. There were very few beginners, lots of expensive bikes and well used equipment. I need to get a lot faster on the bike and I'm happy to have that first open water swim out of the way. I glad I had been training in the heat, as it got pretty hot on the run. This was a great race for a first tri longer than a sprint. The course was not that hard, it's relatively small and it's well organized.