For some reason I was super relaxed for this race so actually had a hard time picking the pace up for the swim as there wasn't much adrenaline - well as much as I can ever pick the pace up! First OWS of the year and I was really using this tri as a tune up for NYC so despite slow pace I was pleased with the swim as nav was great.

Go faster!

I tried to put helmet on while stepping out of wetsuit, however I hadn't pulled it far enough down so ended up doing some strange dance while neither getting helmet on or wetsuit off. Probably added 10 secs to transition. Otherwise went pretty well, went straight to bike, etc.

Get wetsuit closer to ankles before trying to step out

Bike is my strongest part but for some reason this felt like hard work. First lap felt really good, and managed to hold 24-25mph on the straights. However, HR was high throughout and I really felt I blew up for the first time on the bike and by the end I was struggling to hold 22-23mph

Maybe I just haven't been out the bike enough this year and have lost some fitness. Bike more (please let it stop raining so much!)

Not much to report, OK transition, could have been faster, but pretty happy.

I chose not to take my Garmin with me on the run, but actually I think I would have benefited for checking my pace on the run

Felt like my left calf was going to cramp during the first few minutes of the run. Never had this before and had been drinking well on the bike so maybe dehydrated before the race. Pace felt comfortable, but as always I should have pushed harder.

Push harder on the run, particularly on sprints

Pancakes!


First time I had done this race and I was really impressed by the organization. I would thoroughly recommend this to people who have never competed in a tri before. The RD was really good about explaining things to the beginners. The swim is very close to shore the entire race and there were plenty of kayakers / lifeguards, etc which is great for nervous swimmers. The bike leg, has very clearly explained lanes which stop beginners / slow riders getting in dangerous positions with fast cyclists. Overall fun race.