Not real sure to start with this swim. I was a tad bit nervous before the start, but nothing out of the ordinary. I'd felt strong in the water the day before, so I wasn't too worried. Started in the front of my AG on the right side, my plan was to just get out there and go for it. When the gun sounded, I went out a bit and dove in to start swimming. Felt pretty good until I noticed I was WAY off course. It's hard for me to say how far away from the pack I was, but it felt like miles. The first boy seemed like 300 yards away- across, not ahead. For a split second, I thought OMG, I'm just going to DNF...I'll never make it back over there. I just started swimming towards the group again. I'm not sure if I was the only 'lost' one, but I definitely felt alone. Just kept working my way to the first buoy. After what seemed like eternity, I finally caught up to everyone. I was actually shocked to see that I was now with the AG that started in front of me. Still not sure how this happened, but whatever! Continued on..being carefully to sight often. It was hard b/c the waves were tall enough to cover the buoys. Just tried to follow yellow swim caps. Finally made it to the first turn, and felt a lot better...like I'd actually make it! Still had a hard time swimming straight, but didn't get as far off course. Made the last turn to head back to shore and tried to take advantage of riding in the waves. Sighting was easier since I could use the tall buildings and the flags at the finish. Made it to shore in what I really thought would be close to 1:00...I was shocked to see that I was so close to one of my goal times for the swim. Ran up the beach towards transition, happy that I didn't drown.

I'm not sure. I would definitely try to sight better, but I hope it's something that I'll improve on with more practice...and I don't get much ocean OWS practice. Lakes are WAY different. I think I'd also start on the far left of my wave, close to the buoys. Continue to stay positive when the situation doesn't go as expected.

As soon as I got off the sand onto the walkway, I stopped to take off my wetsuit, but we think that was before the timing mat. Felt like a slow transition, but it was a bit of a run from the swim to t-area. My rack was pretty close to where we ran into transition, so I felt lucky there. I was also the first person on my rack to get to my bike- YEAH! Decided to drink a 5-hr Energy in transition instead of when I was on the bike..that took maybe :20.
AG- 31/67

Not much looking back at it. But I know this time could be improved as I do this distance more.

I feel great about my bike! Started out feeling super, my legs didn't feel jelly-like like they did after the swim at John Tanner. I just felt happy to be out there. I'd drank a 5-hr Energy in T1 and planned to wait till I got on the bike to chase it with water. Well I quickly figured out that I'd forgotten to put my 1 bottle of water on my bike. OOPS! Luckily I had the 2 bottles of Accelerade, so I wasn't in too much trouble. I had to wait 10 miles till I got to the first water stop, but it wasn't a big deal. Spent the first 30 miles of the bike in a great mood, enjoying going fast. I wasn't watching my AVG MPH, but I was somewhere between 20-22/mph for the first 30 miles. I saw a lot of people drafting and a few people get penalties. It was kinda funny to watch it happen from behind. I was psyched. Then I hit the turnaround just past halfway. WIND. IT SUCKED! Instantly slowed down to between 16-18, it was tough!! I just kept doing the best I could and tried to keep my AVG as high as possible. Made it back to the bridge and knew I didn't have too far to go. The winds died a bit maybe the last 20:00 or so. I worked on picking up my speed again. The last 5:00 were a bit frustrating b/c there was a little bit of traffic on the bike route. I just made sure to watch out for the clueless cars that had no idea there was a race going on. Made it to transition and was excited that I had a lot bigger cushion than I'd expected!

Overall, great bike(about 1:00 faster than my A goal for bike), nutrition felt good(2x240 cal. Accelerade, 2-Gu's, 2-3 Shot Bloks, 1-2 Fig Newtons) , kept positive mentally.

Don't forget my only bottle with water. Continue to stay positive, a good mental attitude is everything. Continue to do bike intervals in training.

Not a bad T2, but could have been better. I decided on the bike that I had too much sand in my socks, so I rinsed feet, hastily applied Body Glide to feet, and changed socks. I had to grab extra socks from my T-bag since I didn't think I wanted them laid out. Didn't take too much time.
AG- 39/67

Rinse feet better in T1. Leave socks out just in case I want them. APPLY SUNSCREEN in T2, I've got permanent tri top tn and it's only May!

This is where my race went downhill. Overall, I'm satisfied with the run, but I KNOW I could do better. Started out seeing the NAMC tent- YEAH, this was awesome seeing everyone yelling and cowbelling!! Ran for maybe the first mile or so and decided to walk to adjust my Fuel Belt and race belt. Around this time, my quads were cramping bad. I was a little worried, but they felt fine once I had some Gatorade. I'm assuming I needed some electrolytes. Ran again for the first 3-4 miles except at aid stations and a pee break at mile 2 or so. It started getting noticeably hot. I guess somewhere between miles 2-3, I was running beside and a guy who started telling me jokes. It was awesome, but I think I was running too slow and he eventually continued on. It was a nice little boost. Kept on pushing myself to keep running as much as possible and walk at the aid stations. Made it to the park and probably had the hardest time in there. It was getting really hot and I walked a lot. I was starting to see my 2:30 cushion tick away. Just tried to hold on and run as much as I could by now. Drank water and Gatorade at every aid station, took sponges, those were awesome. As tired as I was, the miles really seemed to pass pretty quickly. I tried to stay positive and really before I knew it I was at mile 11, then 12, then I could hear the finish. Got to the last turn and knew that the NAMC tent was coming up. I really wanted to walk some more, but Iran so I didn't look like a big slacker. Ran past the tent and the finish. Glad to be done, but very happy about the race.

I doubt I'll wear a Fuel Belt anymore. It wasn't too bad, but it did make my low back hurt towards the end of the run. Carry electrolytes, or take some on the bike. Continue to work on my run in general.

Walked down to the tent to cheer for other club members. Drank a few waters before switching to beer.


The rough water on the swim, the wind on the bike and the heat on the run.


I thought this was a GREAT race! The course was challenging but fast, good race events and the run aid stations were awesome!! The local residents seemed to really get into the race, especially on the run. It was awesome! Overall, I feel really good about my race, especially since I was nervous about the flats. But I'm happy with the outcome and it was a good challenge. This was the hardest race I've done and the most challenging conditions. But, it was well worth it and we will definitely do this race next year!