First Open Water swim race so was a little apprehensive at first but after the washing machine for the first 100 meters and finally breaking through to an open area, felt pretty good and smooth. Did take the outside around the buoys though just to stay out of the way. Will take getting used to but happy to have the wetsuit and it only slowed T-1 probably by 10-15 seconds tops.
Overall, felt happy with my first OWS and need to work on the initial sprint to get spacing, started too far in the back of the wave (now I know better)

Get a pair of tinted goggles since rounding the first buoy looked right into the sun, hard to sight so just kept an eye on the guy left and right to keep going straight (hopefully they were tracking straight too)

Call me slow in T-1 putting socks on and shoes but after passing 3 guys after the dismount line within the first 300 yards of the bike as they were messing around at 10mph trying to get the feet in the shoes on the slight uphill, I figure the net difference was about even. Plus, I had little risk of crashing myself or others, only risk is slipping while running the shoes...
Suit came off easier than I expected, body glide helped on the outside of the ankle cuff. The swim exit to the T-1 was farther than I expected.

Maybe with practice, I'd change my mind on the shoes debate but since I am not 1st in age group......Also, reading about the time it takes in T-1 for the wetsuit vs not, especially for a Sprint didn't really phase me since I was glad to have the suit for the swim, even though it added about 15 seconds to the T-1, the comfort level and "bouyancy/efficiency" gain for the 10-15 minute swim saved my legs for the bike (maybe it was mental) BodyGlide works wonders

First race in a major wave start, other races I've been in were pool swims with waves of 32 so there were definately more bikes on the course that I have been used to. That made for some interesting passing when at one point, 3 guys in what seemed like a pace line came blowing by around mile 5 (although they were spaced legally so I'm not complaining), just wishing I had more aero wheels.... Heart rate spiked around mile 4 but then settled in ok but I definately felt like I pushed harder on the uphills than during training and the overall speed was higher than I expected.

Pretty quick T-2, always easier than T-1, less stuff to worry about. Did take a swig of water from my water bottle, little did I realize (poor planning), there was a water station just as you left T-1.

Started off a little fast at low 6 pace and that quickly wore off about the half mile mark then never really recovered. At the turnaround, I had a major stomach cramp an considered walking but since the guy in front of me kept going, I figured it's only 10 more minutes...
Then with 200 yards to go, hearing the cowbells was cool and motivating to make the finish.
Overall, felt ok with the run now that I see the time on the bike, think I used up a little but a 7 minute pace run for my 5K is about right so I'm happy.

The 10-15 minute transition runs after a 60-90 minute bike ride has made a big difference in the feeling in the legs (tightness). Either it is going away or I am just getting used to it. Keep up those about every 2 weeks.

None really, just walked back to watch and cheer other racers into the finish.


My first OWS race plus the Tri-series. Definately organized with plenty of friendly volunteers.
Will be on my list of preferred races next year, great facilities, never saw a line for the bathrooms (how odd is that) and the overall vibe was pretty cool. Although there were a lot of fast times and racers, there was a great mix of first timers/newbies which kept this a fun race and overall feel.