Best OWS to date! I was worried a bit and didn't know how this would go. It was pretty chaotic at first and full contact for sure, but I stayed relaxed and didn't panic and had an awesome swim! I even swam pretty straight. I'm just really, really pleased with this swim.

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Wanted to be under 2 min. Legs were a bit wobbly after the swim, but got the wetsuit off and helmet on, bike shoes on, race belt on, camel back on, and got out of there.

I thought about wearing socks since I had blisters but decided I didn't want to waste more time. Just need to practice getting out of the wetsuit a little faster.

I rode with a camel bak this year. It made a huge difference. I took a little more time in transition, but the hydration helped a lot. I lost my water bottle of gatorade jumping over a waterbar in the road on the way down. I ate a gel right before the big climb back up.

I stayed steady and felt like I had a good ride. I kept thinking I could have pushed more on the single track. I was behind a couple guys that were going slower than I wanted to go, but I decided to try to stay steady and save a little for the run. I knew the run was going to be hard, plus the climb up the hill is hard too.

I would have passed the guys in front of me on the single track and tried to cut some time off.

Got into transition and didn't see many bikes, that made me feel good. Got my shoes off and thought about putting socks on because of my blisters, but didn't want to waste any time, so I just put the shoes on barefoot and tookoff.

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I hit the run pretty good. Made it up the first hill and then was climbing over some logs getting onto the trail section and Ryan Ignatz passed me. He was flying. I ran well, but some of the uphill parts, I had to walk for a minute. It was just tough. Then I stubbed my toe on a rock and almost took a header into the trees. Made it to the waterfall and down the side of it without any problems. I got to the aid station and needed water. Grabbed two cups and they were both gatorade. I needed water. Oh well. Hit the road at the bottom and tried to pick up the pace. Got passed by a guy in made group. Couldn't keep up with him. Then got passed again. I stayed with this guy until right before the finish. I couldn't out kick him. He beat me by 4 seconds.

Just do more trail running to get used to the uneven terrain and the altitude.

Walked around. Got some food and water.


Need more mountain biking and trail running experience.


This is my 3rd triathlon ever. I'm really pleased with my results. I conquered the fear I have of Open water mass swimming and had a great swim. Last year the swim was shortened quite a bit due to water temp below 60 degrees. My run was 4.5 min faster this year. My bike was 5 min faster. If I calc my swim pace from last year, my swim was about 3 min faster. So, I was a good 12.5 min faster than last year for the same distance. I'm really happy with that result. Top 10 in my age group makes me very happy.