I started second row in the middle slightly left. I got through the waves well and got into a good rhythm. Then a couple of people swim in front of me which I later passed during the short 100 meter swim to the first buoy. I rounded the buoy well and started down the back strait. At this point I had acclimated to cold water and had good swim rhythm. I passed several swimmers on my right and did not notice anyone on my left. This is when I realized that I either swung wide on my turn or was swimming to the left because when sight the second buoy I was far left. I had not gone beyond the lifeguards but, I defiantly swam further than necessary. I then took a diagonal strait line to the second buoy. Because of my position I did not need to turn at the second buoy. I then straitened out and used the pier to sight as I swam for shore. I noticed that I was passing several people from the previous wave as I continued to shore. I was looking back hoping to catch a wave but the surf was not that active. I was able to catch one wave for about 25 meters but it dropped me in thigh high water. I then ran out of the water and started the long 200 meter beach run to transition.

Sight the buoy before I get that far of course.

I was able to effetely control my heart rate during the swim but the 200 meter run in the sand caused my heart rate to sky rocket. I was able to get my suit down during the run and was able to remove it quickly once at the bike rack. I rinsed my feet off and put on my helmet and sunglasses. I was a little wobbly and my feet were numb from the cold sand and water which made it difficult to put on my bike shoes. The clydesdale rack was at the run out which meant the bike out was at the other end of the transition area. I sounded like an actual clydesdale as I ran down the transition area in bike shoes.

I need to buy triathlon bike shoes so that I do not have to run in bike shoes.

My heart rate was already high from the run up the beach and immediately climbing up Pier Ave. did not help lowering my heart rate. After topping Pier Ave I coasted to Valley Drive in an attempt to lower my heart rate. I also realized how cold it was going to be on the bike. I took it easy until I reached Ardmore Ave and my heart rate and PE was in acceptable levels. I then started to hammer down Ardmore. Ardmore is fast and I was screaming “on your left” as I picked off riders. The fastest part of the course was just after the Pier Ave. intersection which, is also the narrowest part of the course. I was in aero and going around 28 MPH still screaming and passing people on the left. A rider moved left which caused me to move left, I then hit a cone and yelled a profanity in front of a course marshal. I was convinced that I had just been disqualified which, ruined my performance for the next mile. I then decided that I was going to push on and let the officials work it out. The next two laps were even more crowded than the first as the female and mountain bike racers entered the course. It was so crowded that I was only able to ride aero about ten percent of the lap. I then turned onto Peir Ave. and someone yelled my race number which only furthered my suspension that I had been disqualified. I dismounted my bike fully expecting to be told that I had been disqualified which, never happened.

Not hit a cone and convince myself that I had been disqualified. If I ever have an infraction that could result in disqualification again I will not let if effect my performance.

I need to buy triathlon bike shoes so that I do not have to run in bike shoes.

I could not feel my feet for the first mile due the the cold sand, cold water and well ventilated bike shoes. They finally thawed out and I could feel my toes, not that it helped me run faster. I can only run as fast as my heart rate will allow. In fact, I ran too fast a couple of times and and had to walk in order for my heart rate recover because I could not catch my breath. However, even with the walking my overall pace was my usual run pace. I could have done without the finish line being in the sand as I was dumping sand out of my running shoes for two days after the event.

Do more run training. Run training will be my focus during the winter.

It was cold! The 200 meter run up the beach was brutal for me. The bike course was too narrow. My biggest problem is that I need to improve my overall running performance.


I am not sure if I will do this race again because of the cold and ridiculously narrow bike course.