Yikes! First open water swim!! It was mass chaos. The water was like ice tea, I couldn't see a foot infront of me. I went out way too fast and got gassed very shortly after starting. Then I paniced. I took a few seconds to gain my composure and then decided to breast stroke the rest of the way. Freestyle was not happening for me. Of course my goggles fogged up so I was swimming blind. I couldn't see under the water and could see out of the water.

I need to get some open water swim practice in.

Was a little wobbly getting out of the water. There was about a 75 yard run from the water to the transition area. I tried to run it coming out of the water, but was too unsteady. So i walked so I wouldn't die. Very strange feeling getting out of the water. Totally different from a pool swim.

I felt good on the bike. Thank God I actually passed some people or I might have finished last!! NExt time I need to keep my cadance up and push a little harder.

I need to drink more while I'm on the bike. I also need to push a little harder.

First time really doing this. I guess I just need to practice a little more.

Drink my sports drink on the way out of the transition area instead of just loafing around in the transition area.

I had to walk a good deal of the course. I would run/shuffle a few minutes then walk a minute, then run/shuffle.

This is the area I need to work on the most. My run endurance. If I could have actually ran/jogged the entire course I would have saved a few extra minutes.

sports drink, then playing with my daughter on the monkey bars!!!(best cool down there is!)


1. Lack of experience with open water swimming. The panic factor in the water. Had I just relaxed and even done a full out breat stroke from the very beginning I would have done much better.
2. Run endurance. I have to get my endurance up.
3. Weight. I was probably the heaviest competator there. I have to loose weight if I'm going to improve. It's just easier to move a 200 pound mass than a 230 pound mass.


This was a very nice first race. The people were very helpful and very supportive. It was my first race ever and stll being 230+ pounds I'm OK with my results. I figured I would finish in over 1:30, so I beat my predicted time by about 10 mins. But, after actually doing the race I see what I could have done differently, and how that will translate into my future training. I also realized I'm not racing anyone else except myself. As long as I continue to imporve I will be happy! All in all it was very fun. I'm looking forward to my next race whenever or wherever that will be. My wife was proud of me for even attempting this, and my daughter kept saying "you won daddy, you won" I guess that's all that really matters in the long run. I'm happy with myself and my family is proud of me, what more can a man ask for.