Swim goal was 1hr...after rounding the first bouy the wind and waves picked up...I swallowed and inhaled a lot of water...really slowed me down...got very discouraged...wasn't sure I could finish the swim...no way I was going to be pulled out of the water! So I just took my time.

Get a coach/lessons...more OWS in the waves

I was so glad to be out of the water I didn't care how long I was in T1...it felt good to be on the bike, but not for long.

Nothing

This was one of the most miserable experiences I have had on a bike. It was reminiscence of the time Jeff and I got very hypothermic in Yellowstone in April a few years ago. Within 1/2hr of starting I was soaked to the bone...by the time I got to mile 50 I was shaking so bad my bike was shaking underneath me. Good thing the Paramedics didn't stop me...they probably would not have let me finish. My neck was killing me and I could not relieve the pain while on the bike. I know it had a lot to do with the tensness of shivering. I seriously thought about quitting when I got to T2.

Carry a jacket, which I had in T1 but decided not to take it. Drink more. Carry Naproxen with me or just take it before hand. I usually don't have that much trouble with my neck on long rides.

I was so cold my hands were too numb to tie my shoes. I was able to get the Naproxen out of my bag and take it. It was still raining hard. The young girl (volunteer) helping me told me she would put my bike gear in the bag for me. I told her my fingers were too numb to tie my shoes...she tied them for me...after the race my kids called her "daddy's angel". She did encourage me to go on.

Speed laces, although I'm not sure I could have worked them either.

I did warm up after a bit and it only rained for about the 1st 1/3rd of my run. I tried to keep my calories up but it was hard since I burned up so many trying to stay warm on the bike. I could have run a bit harder but at this point I didn't care much about my time.

Don't think I would have done much that would be different.

Space blanket over my shoulders. Never do feel like eating after a big event. Just wanted to find my family and go home.


Weather mostly...


I will say the event was extremely well organized and the volunteers were excellent. My hat truly goes off to them...these events could not happen without them. There were even towns people cheering us on out on the very open and sometimes barren bike course...IN THE RAIN!