FIRST OWS EVER!!! and it wasn't bad at all. Jumping off the dock into the water was icky, we landed in on a soft feather-bed of slimy algae. Some people chose to stand in it verses treading water, but not me. YUCK. There was some floating broken hydrilla branches floating around. Somehow I was lined up in the front row. Horn sounded and we were off. I just put my head down and went. Was passed by lots of people starting off. Was bumped some but nothing too bad. I never freaked out or anything so I was very proud of myself. I actually liked having the people around me because I would see the yellow swim caps when I would breath and that gave me confidence that I was on course. I rounded the first buoy very close to the buoy and then the pack thinned out more. I kept my swimming consistent and ended the swim feeling just as strong as I started, so I was pleased with that. The last 200 meters were a jungle of hydrilla. I must have looked like a monster from the seaweed lagoon when I exited the water. I had it wrapped around my neck, stuck in my goggles and watch, down my top, just everywhere. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get away from it and eventually had to laugh. Here I was afraid of "slimy stuff" touching me and now I was wrapped in it!! I'm glad I could laugh and not freak out! Overall I was extremely pleased with my swim.

Not line up in the front.

There was easily a 250m run from the water to the bikes, so it made for a very long T1 time. Aside from picking seaweed off my body, my T1 went very well. One exception, there was a water misting tent set up and I made the mistake of running through it. No sooner had I stepped under it than I sank a good 3 inches into the mud. I was covered from toes to knees. Luckily I had a water bottle waiting at my station to rinse off my feet. Chose to forego the socks, no problems. Once I got to my bikes I took a quick glance to see that Doug was already out, rinsed off my feet, bike shoes on, Gu's in pocket, glasses and helmet on, and I was off.

STAY OUT OF THE MUD!!!

My bike computer showed an average of 17.0mph, so I'm going with that. I felt that I rocked on the bike. There were some tough hills at the beginning, but once you were over those it was flat and fast. I was going between 17 and 23 on the flats. Passed lots of people until the international group joined the course, but even then I was keeping them in my sights. Gear changing was very smooth. New seat helped so much, kept my knees in and heels down. Dead deer from the day before was gone (all except the smell!!!). Lots of new roadkill. Saw at least 3 people with mechanical trouble. One poor guy was changing a flat right at the mount station. Saw a guy wearing an IPod and two people flat out walking their bikes.

Not push so hard, I had nothing left for the run.

Good transition. Had the socks pre-rolled and that worked very well. Love the new zapps/zipps (or whatever they're called) quick tie laces. grabbed the race belt and put it on while I was running out.

nothing, went very well.

Okay, once again I sucked at the run. This time I can't blame it on surgery. I pushed it too hard on the bike and my upper abs were killing me. I had to run/walk the first mile just to give my heart rate time to slow down and recover from the bike. After that I was running pathetically slow.

BRICKS, BRICKS, BRICKS, BRICKS, BRICKS and maybe some bricks!!!

lots of water, watched the awards. Good time. Nice party, best post race activities I've been to.


crappy running!!!


Race started late but that was due to the rescue boats arriving late so not a big deal. Very friendly people, well organized. Good race. This most definitely was the most "bonding with nature" race I've ever done. Starting with the monster seaweed, then the abundance of roadkill, ending with the crosscountry running, I have bonded. :)