There wasn't much room to line up for the swim start. I didn't get a very good spot - back of the pack and no chance to submerge in the water to get the shock of the cold over with. At the outset I ended up doing a lot of breaststroke and tarzan swimming - both to try and catch my breath and to avoid all the congestion. By the 100m mark I had found a little bit of clear space and finally got into a nice rhythm. After rounding the bouy I really felt comfy and even managed to swim a fairly straight line.

Be more aggresive about getting a good spot for the start. Get some OWS practice.

This was my first ever OWS so I feel really good about how things went. No panic and I sighted fairly well.

I was a little slow in transition. I had a hard time getting feet dry enough for putting socks on. Once I got to the mount area I had some trouble getting clipped in.

This was my first race using the clipless pedals. I've only been using them for two weeks so I'm still not completely comfortable. I need to practice transitions. I think some swim/bike bricks will be on the training schedule in the future. I also want to experiment with going sockless.

It started to rain just as I was getting started on the bike. First part of the course was fairly quick with the wind at our backs. After the first turn we had a crosswind that was really pelting us with rain. It felt almost like bits of hail stinging the skin. Next turn put us in a headwind. Rain really was starting to pick up and the road was starting to get a little slick. At one point I shifted my feet in a way that made piles of water run into my shoes. By the final turn to head back to the start I was over the rain. I just wanted off the bike and on to the run. I glanced at my watch and knew I needed to keep cranking if I wanted to make my time goal so I just put my head down and suffered the rain as best I could.

I'm still slow on the bike. I just need more time in the saddle. Pedaling efficiency drills probably wouldn't hurt either. I'm sure I'm not taking full advantage of having my feet attached to my bike.

I decided to keep the bike shoes on rather than to try and get my feet out of my shoes while still moving. It was wet and I just didn't feel comfortable taking my attention off the road.

I really just need more practice on transitions.

I had a little trouble settling in on the run but by the end of the first mile I had found a comfortable pace. The rain was still falling and I was starting to feel a little pruney. I really just wanted to be done and into some dry clothes.

Completely happy with my run. This is the only leg where i remember to hit the lap button. If my timekeeping skills are to be trusted, this is my fastest 5K to date.

Walk, stretch, eat, chat.


I think time in the saddle is my biggest limiter. Maybe by this time next year I'll be fast on the bike. Just have to keep riding.


Well organized race. Lots of great volunteers who stood in the rain to make sure we all made it safely to the finish.

Only bummer is that they only recorded final times. No chips so no transition or split times. I forget to hit the lap button for all but the run start so I only recorded one split. I did glance at the clock as I came out of the water so I have a fairly decent idea of my times for the swim and bike.