Bad bad bad. Panicked after about 50 meters, wetsuit started to feel too tight around my chest, and I wasn't able to exhale under water, which meant my breathing was totally thrown off. And so I ended up flipping on my back and doing the backstroke until the first turn buoy. At one point, I thought about calling it quits, but then I saw another guy doing the backstroke in the wrong direction. I grabbed his foot, pointed him the right way, and figured at least I'm heading the right way, so might as well keep going.

Calmed down after the first turn and was able to swim at a steady pace the rest of the way.

Much worse than the 32:00 swim two years ago. But I got through it, and I wasn't last in the group.

Try and practice in open water. This was the first OWS since Columbia two years ago.

I'd say the overall swim was "Bad," but I finished.

Don't know the exact time, and I forgot to hit lap on the watch after leaving transition. Probably a bit slower than the 3:00 T1 two years ago.




Not take so long to get there from the start?

Time includes T1. So probably closer to 1:34. 15 minutes slower than two years ago.

Like the OWS, last time I rode the course was two years ago. So I knew it was going to be slow going, especially considering I've put very little time in the saddle this year.

Pushed the downhills to compensate for the slow climbing. Dropped the chain on one climb, otherwise a pretty uneventful ride.

Much slower than last time. But I expected as much. And I did pick up 11 spots. Yay for that.

More time in the saddle. Otherwise, not much else.

21 AG, 176 Overall.

This was definitely the best part of the race, even if it was the shortest, and the only time from two years ago that I improved on.

Rolling dismount, wave to Noony who was working the dismount area, off with the bike shoes, on with the running shoes, grab the race belt, and out for a painful run.

Fortunately, the pitstop in the bushes outside transition isn't counted.

Get there faster from the first transition.

The first two miles were brutal. Slow run through the first mile, and less than halfway into mile 2, my right lower leg started to tighten up, bringing me to a slow hobbled jog. Had to stop and stretch, walk for a couple minutes, and then stretch some more. After that, it loosened up, and I was able to get back to a decent pace.

The next two miles were okay, and the last two miles were probably the fastest. Passed a few age groupers who passed by me during the first two miles, so that was nice.

Came out of the trees, heard the finish line, passed by the lake, and made the final turn before the end. No end-of-the-race sprint, just a steady finish.

More proper training. 10 minutes slower than two years ago.

Got my medal, my foil blanket, some gatorade, and headed up one final hill for some post-race food. Met up with Noony, got some more food, packed up, and headed home.


Not nearly enough training. Good lesson in the importance of preparation. It's much more enjoyable when actually prepared for the race. I'll have to remember that for next year.

Bottom line though is that I showed up, swam a mile, biked 26, and ran 6.2.


Second time doing this race. Excellent race, and it's one to be happy for just finishing.