My first OWS where I actually felt comfortable! It was great. I started off very easy because I didn't want to get too excited and loose my breathing pattern. I went a little out of my way to get to the first buoy, no big deal. Rounded it and felt surprised that I wasn't sucking water down. Stayed to the outside.

I picked up my pace a little bit and got just a bit overzealous. I started to feel that winded feeling and slowed back into my groove... I had a groove!!

Rounded the 2nd/last buoy and thought that it would be the perfect time to really push myself because I did feel strong. I started to pass several people at that point. I had to go around and in between people. That must be the feeling good swimmers have in a group start.

I look at this swim as I did my first ever 5k run. My goal has been to just go get comfortable so that I don't have to walk... or the in this case, backstroke. I did it.

I could have done better if I'd practiced more OWS.

I put on my shoes in T1. I know I loose time that way, but I just haven't practiced things the right way. I kicked my water bottle out of the holder when I mounted the bike. It was my only water bottle and I really wanted to have it, since it was only :02 seconds into the bike, I picked it up.

Practice T1 with shoes on my bike.

Something just wasn't there. Don't get me wrong, I was fast at 21mph/avg. But in retrospect I didn't drink early enough. I also forgot to Gu before the race start. I took my first drink at mile marker 7 - way too late in a 10 mile course! At that point there just wasn't time to get in the necessary 16oz that I need for the run.

I also realized on the bike that I didn't take my amino acid pre-race supp. So fueling really was a hindrance to me. I should know better. And after loosing 3rd place in my AG by less than 1:30, I won't make that mistake again.

Drink earlier. Gu earlier.

T2 was good to me today. I didn't like where I had to rack (they were assigned). In T2 I had to run back about 20 yards to get out of T2 and on to the run. Seconds, Seconds, Seconds.

I'm getting better at bike dismount. I had my shoes off well before T2, I was ready. But I am not comfortable jumping off my new bike yet.

I was disappointed because I was familiar and ready for the other course. I knew where the turn around was, where the small rolling hills were... everything.

This threw me off mental course a bit. I didn't take my Garmin (intentionally - train with it, don't race with it... right) so I wasn't sure my pace or distance, other than the mile markers on the course.

I really wanted sub 20. Again, something wasn't there, perhaps because of fueling. I should have had more water in by the run start.

Just as I was approaching the end, I heard the huffing of another runner sneaking up on me. I'm stubborn and hate being passed at the end of the race. I hammered it and pulled away. I felt like I was flying.

I should have jogged the course the night before just so I had an idea of where the turn around was and where I could have easily pick up my pace.

I should practice more interval running for training. So during races I can take some serious time off by sprinting at that sub 6 pace and then running at 7/7:30's. That would cut off some time.

Nothing much. Ate lightly (thank you RACING GREYHOUNDS for the food!!)


I'm pretty sure I could have been faster if I prefueled better and fueled/drank earlier on the bike.


I'm always critical of myself when it comes to performance, I know.

But today really was a great race! I found that I can swim well if I pace myself right.

I'm happy with today's race.