This was my 2nd open water swim ever, and my first salt water swim. The wetsuit made all the difference. Had tried it out in pool before which gave me much more confidence.

Water was very rocky. The had tried to clear away rocks, but I'm sure the tide carried them back. I stepped on several rocks and sliced the ball of my right foot open in about 4 different places, plus a couple puncture wounds on other parts of my foot. Stung like hell.

I started way in the back and to the right for the swim, which caused me to veer off course several times. The first 10 minutes were very hard for me--I couldn't find my rhythm and was doubting my ability to swim normally. Tried to breast stroke a bit, but that wasn't working so hot. Once I resigned myself to just swimming, I did well and didn't panic at all. I breathed every 2 instead of 3, and sighted about every 10-12 strokes. I got an awful charley horse about 300 M from the finish and just let me legs drag. Felt like a softball in my calf.

Just swim! I'm just happy to have finished this one--my first long open water swim!

I'm not sure of transition times, because they were lumped with swim and bike times. Wasn't so hot at hitting my lap button on my watch, either.

T1 was several hundred yards from the beach, which felt nice on my foot.

Had to come to full stop and straddle to clip in, then still took several attempts to catch. Guess just because of race nerves.

Practice getting on the bike faster. Consider getting some tri shoes and learning how to put shoes on while on bike.

I haven't been on my bike much yet this year and really felt it. I felt like I was sucking wind most of the way out. I wasn't drinking enough because I had constant pressure from behind and didn't want to slow my pace. Stupid, especially considering the lack of water on the run course. I struggled with speed on the way out because of the wind, but was able to stay >20 mph on whole way back. My foot was killing me from the cut during the swim. From my rank, it looks like I was able to make up some time, though--sure didn't feel like it.

Um, not cut my foot? Get on the bike more.

Again, don't know T2 times. I need to practice taking the shoes off on the bike. Again, had to come to complete stop. I didn't spend much time here--no drinking--I thought water would be right outside T2--wrong!

Drink.

The run was awful for me. I have been doing the most running in my training and was very dissappointed here. My foot was bleeding and killing me plus my calf was still crampy. I never allowed myself to walk, but I was getting passed all over the place. Only managed to pass about 3 people during the run. My HR was telling me I could run much harder, but my body just wouldn't respond. Only 2 aid stations had water--the rest had run out of water! Unbelievable. Especially considering it was very hot and no shade.

Again, try not to get injured.

NO water at finish line. They were fishing out ice from the bottom of cooler, only thing they had left. There was some cantelope and bananas, which I ate a couple of. I don't know if they were giving out finisher medals, I never saw one if they did.

I ended up the ER for my foot. Had to get it cleaned out, a tetanus shot, and prescription for 10 days of antibiotics.


Hydration, the foot getting cut, limited training on bike.


This race was really poorly put on, which is a shame, because it's such a nice venue. I really hope things improve because I'd like to go back next year.