I was pretty nervous heading into the water. It was hard to wait until the 20th wave to start. I started in the back of the group and walked into the water. I can't run in the water yet because the ankle hurts when I try. Once I was about waist deep I dove in and started to swim.

It took me a little while to calm down. I was breathing pretty often. There was tons of bumping and kicking. I came to a complete stop several times to try to figure out where I could swim freely.

Over all it went as well as I hope it could. I passed a few people from the waves before mine and about 5 people from 21st wave caught me -- Dave included.



Not too much - happy with the first time tri effort. I need to continue to get comfortable in the open water and increase endurance in the open water.

This was a long run -- it started as an uphill out of the water. I had to walk this part because of the ankle. Once I got pass the sand and rocks I was able to jog up the hill and into transition.

I stripped off my wet suit top, goggles, nose plug and swim cap as I ran. I put on socks and my race belt (I never heard when we were required to have the number on).

There was a short steep hill out of transition, with bike in hand and then across the parking lot to the mount line. It seemed to take forever to get onto the bike.

I was able to hop on the bike without stopping and clip in immediately. This was important because there was a climb out of the park to the street bike course. There were some falls on the climb out.

I wore a headband today. I usually wear one when running so I automatically put it on. It was ok under the swim cap but was a problem when taking all the swim stuff off. I took it off while running to T1 and left it there. Next time, leave it at home.

The bike route was crowded. Lots of calling out "On your left!" This was a hilly challenging route, but fair. Too many people not knowing to stay to the left except when passing. This was my fastest ride of the year, but still well below par for my age group.

Get better on the bike.

This went well - shoes went on easily

learn how to get off the bike without coming to a complete stop.

Legs felt pretty good off the bike, but tired. We started in the shade and quickly went into the sun on the black top. No breeze at all, just felt hot.

I passed a lot of people, but for me this was a slow run. I jammed by ankle once on the one and only hill. I was able to move through it.

Again lots of people who don't know how to race and want to run side-by-side with their buddy.

Work on my endurance and speed again. It will come back, but I'm not there yet.

Walking, light stretching and lots of water.


Overall for me - I can't be happier with the results for my first tri. It is 4 months to the day from my fall and while I'm healing, I'm not back to the fitness level I need to be.

Next tri is in 27 days and then in 12 weeks. I plan to reset the training plan to focus on the 2nd race. I hope to build endurance and speed between now and then.

The race itself was well run, but some things were a bit lacking. Not enough SWAG for the later finishers. There was no map or walk through of the transition area. Had to figure out the ins and outs by yourself. No direction for first timers. Too many people. They need to cut the number of participants. The course can't hold the number of people they are allowing in.