I hadn't done any open water swims in almost 2 years so I started near the back of the wave and off to the right side. I really couldn't sight at all in the first leg so I just tried to make sure I was near people. I seemed to be passing a fair number and caught some of the previous wave before the first turn. I never tried to swim hard, just maintained an easy effort throughout. My wetsuit felt a little snug due to having put on about 5-10 pounds since the last time I wore it. Swim time includes running from the beach to the transition area about 100 yards and I was struggling to remove my arms from the wetsuit and not running very fast.

More open water swims and starting closer to the front.

I got through decently and had a good spot near the bike out. At the mount line some guy in front of me fell over and crashed so I ran my bike about 50 yards past the mount line before I jumped on.

Lube up my arms and legs a bit more to get the wetsuit off faster.

In the initial climb out of transition I could feel my legs were sore from the previous day's 10K. I wasn't getting a strong pedal stroke. After a couple mile I started to loosen up and was passing bunches of people along 36. A mile before Neva I came up behind a large group who appeared to be drafting. I stayed well off the back and had to slow down. I didn't think I would be able to pass the entire group. It turned out this group was just a bunch of people from Boulder who were out riding as they headed straight at the turn for Neva. It cost me a little time riding behind them. At the water bottle station a bike about 2 bikes up from me moved over to get a bottle. It looked like the front wheel turned and the bike flipped over. The person in front of me swerved and avoided the crash and I swerved to avoid that person. After that things were smooth until I had to get past several non-racing bikers along 63rd. I stayed aero probably 95%.

Not run a hard 10K the day prior. Bike a bit more in training.

Got through smoothly. Rack was on the other side from run out so it took a little longer to get out.

Nothing

I started off OK, but by about 3/4 mile my legs were not letting me run strong due to being sore from the 10K. I had to slow some, but was able to pick it up a bit in the last mile.

Not run a 10K the day before.

Grabbed a bottle of water and walked around a bit. Headed over to the beer tent when I cooled down and met up with some tri-club members.


This was my first tri in about 2 years and I was a bit rusty. I need to ride more as the bike was kinda disappointing for me. Running the 10K the day before made everything more difficult, but that race was part of a series and I couldn't miss it.


Good race. Long lines getting into transition and for the breakfast after the race. They may want to rethink cooking at the race site.