The BEST open water swim I've ever had. Really relaxed and calm 95% of the time. Rhythm good from the start. Swam wide to avoid the fray as I know I'm slower than most. Ended up swimming much too wide at times. Sighting was good, but my directional ability was failing me. Went off course too far many times...felt like I was in a cross current and being pulled away. I swear I swam 2500-3000 yds instead of the 2112.

Try to swim closer to the buoys. People don't freak me out as much as they used to, they just get in my way.

Been training injured, so I didn't run as much with the bike as I wanted to. I still had quite a few miles to go. I didn't get to practice flying mounts or dismounts with my new shoes enough, so I ran in them instead of the alternative.

Learn flying mounts and dismounts. Pick up the pace.

Fun course. Rainy this time though. A nice break and reprieve from the anticipated oven.
I managed to forget to check my odometer and started out with no registering of mileage or speed. Not good. I needed the markers for nutrition and planned stretch breaks for my knees to continue. Fixed that within first 1/2 mile.
Probably could have pushed harder, but I was concerned about jsut how "brutal" the run was going to be. Glad I saved something for the end.

Heal properly before doing a race like this. My bike times were not as good as expected.

I could have sworn I was here for 15 minutes. I literally took my time. Was worried when I noticed my feet were starting to blister from the soggy bike shoes. Then, I noticed my run shoes and socks were soaked. 13.1 miles in swampy shoes is not a good idea.

Cover my stuff up at even a hint of rain. Go faster.

I literally didn't know how I would hold up in the heat and humidity, so I didn't push as hard as I could have at first. Interspersed run and walk for a while until blisters got too annoying and heat got worse. Worked to stay cool. Saw a lot of people having problems with the heat. I highly reccomend taking 4-5 sponges at the first aid station you find and keeping them with you. Just re-wet in any ice/water you can find. I also dumped ice into the pocket of my tri jersey, down the front, and in the back. And I never knew hot and flat Coke could taste like nectar. I swear the heavens parted and angels sang. However, the last 0.5 mile was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I think the heat and electrolytes got the better of me.

Learn to tolerate heat and humidity better. Find ways to simulate training in it. Practice nutrition when exhausted in these circumstances. Things were definitely different than I anticipated.

Directly to med tent to ice knees and bandage the dozen or so blisters on my feet. I didn't even get any post-race food! Walking was difficult, and solid food after any race is hard for me. Drank 12 oz of InfinIt and some water. 60 oz of gatorade later.
Soaked in epsom salts when I returned back to hotel.


Heat and humidity hands down.


This was the best d@#! race I've been to! I had so much fun and a smile on my face the whole way. The volunteers were overwhelmingly awesome and gracious. I really felt like we were taken care of and cared about. I could not have asked for a better first HIM experience.