My first ocean swim. My God! I thought I was going to die. The water was so freaking cold, I could not put my face into it. And since I never practiced any other type of stroke, I ended up flipping on my back and doing a progressive recovery stroke the whole way. At the 2nd bouy, I tried to grab onto it, but it was very small and I started to sink with it... people started yelling at me. So I kept struggling along until I was finally able to touch sand... then I said many prayers, thanked God for not letting me perish out in the ocean, and walked to the transition. When I saw that I was only out there for 15+ minutes, I was amazed... it felt like at least 30 minutes.

Practice an open water swim before jumping into a 56 degree ocean for the first time. Also, I should have jumped in the water before the race began, as so many other people did. Hitting the water was a total shock to the system. I must be a glutton for punishment, because I signed up for next year's race.

First triathlon... first transition. Never practiced. Time wasn't bad considering that. I was just thankful to get out of the water alive!

Practice transitions!!!

Had a crappy mountain bike with cheap aero bars affixed. Riding South was easy... wind at the back. Riding North was a bear! Heavy winds in the face. Plus, on the 3rd lap, my recently-affixed aero bars completely fell apart. Screws and nuts and bolts flying everywhere. Good thing I didn't ditch it completely!

Affix the aero bars better on the old bike. But ultimately, get a better bike!!! Not a terrible ride considering it was the first one and considering the awful equipment I had... nowhere to go but up!!!!

I alrady had my running shoes on (my bike had regular street pedals), so transition was a snap. Jump off the bike, run it to the rack, take off my helmet and GO!

Not much I could do differently. I wish all my T2's could be 0:40!

Legs were KILLING me! I had to stop twice to stretch because my calves kept cramping up. Plus the beach run and having to jump over some of the jetties (like a steeplechase) was brutal. But I finished, so HA!

Train more... do more bricks... drink more... more nutrition during the race.

Walked around a little and then... Enormous breakfast at a diner... the best damn food I've ever eaten.


Lack of training... not knowing what to expect since it was my first tri.


Good race... great way to start the season! Will do it again!