I was nervous. I wore my wetsuit as practice for future races. In the past, I had yet to feel comfortable while wearing it, was especially having trouble with the feeling of not being able to breath. This combined with my lack of skill in the swim arena and going out to fast created a phenomenon I like to call the "freak out".
I kept repeating the mantra "start out slow and easy, you can breath."
AND IT WORKED! I struggled a bit to find an opening. Had to jockey around people, but found myself pulling ahead of many of the pink caps in my wave.
I found a rhythm and despite going too far around the last buoy had a really good swim. When I glanced at my watch while running out I couldn't believe my time.

Work on sighting. I lost some time going to far past the last buoy.

I actually removed my wetsuit while on the long run to T1. I had unzipped and pulled the suit off my arms while running up the beach. Once on the trail I pulled over and grabbed a pole to steady myself while getting my legs out. It come off without a problem and off I went. Due to the heavy rain everything was soaking wet. I haven't mastered the shoes already attached to the bike thing yet so I had to run in my bike shoes.

Work on getting out of the wet suit without holding on to something.
Also, skip the socks for the bike.

At first I was breathing hard. I must have really been working in the swim. I slowed a little to regulate my breathing, then slowly began to increase speed. I found a comfortable pace. I was working, but not all out. I was afraid I would have nothing left on the run. I felt better on the second loop and was able to go bit faster. At this point I realized I hadn't had any water. Mistake. Time to drink. This is when I was cursing myself for not putting on the aero drink system that I bought and is still in the package.

Put on the aero drink bottle.
I still need to work not slowing as much on the turns etc., the whole technical aspect of riding.

Overshot my spot by at least 20 feet. So much for the bright pink bag as a good way to find my spot. Also, my shoes were on the opposite side that I was on so I had to lean way over to get them. They were still pretty wet from the rain.

Take note of what side I will be running in on and make sure shoes etc are positioned correctly.
Pay better attention while running in.

Like the bike, I started out slower and gradually built up speed. Mile 1 came faster then I realized. I made sure to drink a little at each station in the beginning. I didn't stop at the last 3. By mile 2 I realized that if I wanted to make my goal time I'd better pick up the pace. That last 1.1 mile was killer. I was working. Mile 3 - sprint to the finish! Crossed the finish line but didn't hit my watch because I felt like I was going to pass out. Did I make my time? I knew it was close.

Start a bit stronger on the run.

Walked around the food tables a few times then grabbed a water. Continued to walk for a while. Couldn't eat until until much later, just continued to drink, but felt better relatively fast.


I think the only area I could have gone faster was on the bike.


The delayed start time was a factor that couldn't be helped. Can't argue with mother nature. I like this race. Well organized, friendly people.. a nice race to begin the season.
I am pleased with my performance, especially the swim. I actually knocked over 2 minutes off my swim time from last year. Overall I dropped 7 min and 43 sec from my last year's time. My goal was to finish under 1 hr 25 min and I did 1:25:07, pretty darn close.