I spoke with an older fellow as I was looking at the swim course, as it turns out he was the fellow who sets the buoys out. He was telling me that the water level was very high this year and as a result the current was stronger than usual. He gave me some great advice on what to sight as I swim. THANK YOU old guy!! I was a sighting machine...every time I would look I was bang on course. I had people criss crossing in front of me all over the place.

My swim was awesome. I was relaxed. I entered the water behind everyone. I was actually passing people at my slow relaxed pace! I tried to stay by myself so that I would not get kicked. The opening leg was against the current...so in hindsight if I had attempted to draft I may have been quicker. ALTHOUGH...quick was not my goal for my first OWS tri. Oh ya and I was not the last one out of the water!!!!!

I am really proud of the fact that I did not panic...I have read a lot of stories etc where people freak out when they are in open water. I just kept plodding along...and no resuce boats needed to hover over me!!;)

Maybe try to draft? But overall I was very happy with this swim.

I was really wobbly when I finished the swim...something I hope I'll get used to!!

I took my time and enjoyed the experience of a T1 striping out of a wet suit for the first time. I had no troubles at all.

There was a pretty good head wind for the first 10K...I just kept my leg turnover comfortable and stayed on the aero bars. I passed about 10 people on the way out. At the turn there was a nice little tailwind and I put the "jets" on. I caught a couple of other people on the way back. Good ride for me. I drank 1 bottle of gatorade.

Not much, I feel this was a good ride.

I used my new Mizuno shoes and I did not double knot the laces. I would have to stop briefly after about 1.5K to retie them.

I put socks on for the run, that went very well. (thanks to a tip from one of the BT videos on transitions!!)

Hurry a little more! ;)

Started out at a comfortable pace and watched all the "elite" runners blow by me as they usually do! I had to pause to retie my shoes after about 1.5K. Enjoyed waving and saying "HI" to some of the locals who were sitting on their front steps with coffee watching the fitness freaks run by!

I sped up on the last KM and "sprinted" to the finish...it was a sprint distance race after all!!

Tie my shoes better...I did not have to double knot my old shoes and I have tried the bungy laces...didn't like them.

A little walk around. Collected all my stuff from the transition area loaded the van.

Ate my meal (hot dog and a burger with a little potato salad) looked at the silent auction stuff...then left!


The grand piano I strapped to my ass! I consider myself in the category of Triathlete that inspires couch potatoes...I am not fast, I'm not gifted with talent...but I have endurance and I give everyone on course a smile and when ever required a hi 5! I make those who don't tri think that if that guy could do it...so could I...and that is great!

I am uber proud of my accomplishments in this sport in the short time I've been into it. I have many people to thank, mostly from the BT community...you guys know who you are!!!


I had fun and will be back next year!