Egads. was it the cold water? the choppy water? I could not swim. every time I put my face in the water I froze, couldn't breathe, brain lock... so I spent the first 1/3 of the distance just paddling along, back floating, progressing but certainly not swimming. On the back stretch I was able to get my face in the water without freezing up and starting picking off the slow swimmers one by one. It was nice to finally have the brain to swim and to pass slower women...I CAN swim when the brain works...

Dunno what would have helped. warmer water?

zip zip. quick as usual.

Garmin says the bike was 10.33, not 11. The winds were noticeable, but not agonizing besides brief gusts, certainly it wasn't intolerable. I passed some of my wave, some of the prior wave, but was also picked off by the leaders of the following wave, not surprising given my poor swim time. Witnessed an almost-accident as a truck pulling a boat drove into the coned-off bike lane and nearly sideswiped some racers. I think he knew what he was doing and was "making a statement" - lovely.

find a place to hide from wind :)

zip zip, fly'n.

Again, my goal of running the whole thing (with permission to walk hills if needed) was met. I did run some of the hills, but others did in my calves before the top. The mild temperature made running pleasant, if slow. I only glanced at my pace once and was appalled at the slow pace (13:26!)... so picked it up a bit but there was only a mile left then. ah well. finished strong, head up, happy. swim mostly forgotten.

check pace and move it out sooner? Normally I start the run too fast and get worn out, might have taken it too slowly this time!

sports drink, cantaloupe, sweet muffins. sunshine.


I'll be back!