Totally the worst part of the race for me. I used to think I was comfortable in the water. So that's why people say to do an open water swim before their first tri. And that's why you are supposed to practice in the wetsuit. All my training pattern went to hell on the swim. I only found my rhythm after turning the last bouy. I was completely out of sorts for the first leg. I had a lifeguard tap me and say "it's that way" on the second leg. I wanted the black line at the bottom of the pool back. I was soooooo happy to get out of the water.

1. Get in the water before the start on race day.
2. Do an openwater swim and not just pool training
3. Swim in a wetsuit before the race

I did take the time to puto n my gloves. Some think it's crazy, but my hands are my career. I also put on my Garmin. All that helped contribute to my crappy transition time. I also had a bike position really far from the bike out. They had us rack by wave, so I couldn't really improve my position.

Don't fumble the sock.

Really nice pace for me. I felt great on the bike, which is so ironic since I came into this whole tri thing not even knowing how to ride. I loved getting to say "on your left!" I'm so happy I had the speedfil on my bike and I got to hydrate. It was also good to get rid of the salt water taste each time I burped up some more of the sea water I swallowed on the swim.

Push even harder and go even faster

Ok transition I guess.

Go even faster. Get the helmet off while running with the bike.

Crappy pace. Legs felt espeially tight. I felt like I could go faster, but my legs felt otherwise. In my head I was yelling at myself "Don't walk b***ch! If you walk it's all over!" At least I think it was in my head. So I did run/shuffle the whole thing. I'm happy about that.

I'm not sure what I would do differently other than train harder so I can be more comfortable running and go faster.

Ran across the finish with a smile. I can't say I did a formal warm-down, but I can say that I wasn't that tired. I met up with my friend who came down from LA. He took most of the pics.


Mostly anxiety on the swim slowed me down. First transition was also especially slow and could have been better. Run also has lots of room for improvement.


Great first race! There were some die-hards there who were intimidating, bit overall an super nice crowd that apolgized when they kicked you on the swim.