The swim was a staggered start, leaving every 15 seconds. I placed myself in the 10-12 minute range, which drew a few glances from the people behind me due to my doughy physique. I felt pretty good in the pool too, but really had to focus on not blowing out my legs by overkicking in all the excitement. I was able to pass 7 people along the way so that also made me feel pretty good. I think the only negative is I was a little disoriented when climbing out of the pool and running to transition.

I thought it went pretty well so I don't know if I would change anything other than trying to get more time in the pool so my time decreases.

I should have practiced my transitions beforehand. I probably didn't need the heart rate monitor or my Garmin 305 but I trained with them and wanted them with me. The real problem came when I put my shoes and socks on. Not only did I get grass all in my sock, but I also forgot to put on my calf sleeves (they really help my varicose veins). I then tried to put them over my shoes, debated taking my shoes back off and just gave up and biked without them. It was an ugly scene.

Practice my transitions!

I would also lay out my calf sleeves over my socks and shoes. Further, I should also try to put my socks on standing up, especially in grass since kneeling down just meant that I had no leverage to pick up my foot when the grass was getting caught in my sock. Last but not least, I should probably ditch my traditional tie shoelaces.

My little mountain bike felt pretty good and I tried to stay in the top two gears of my middle ring. The light breeze was nice compared to the gusty shoreline where I had been doing most of my riding so far.

It was a good first race ride so I would probably just do nothing, other than get some more time in the saddle and learn how to drink on my bike.

Unfortunately, because I did not put on my calf compression sleeves during T1, I had to take off my shoes and put them on. My veins have been much better lately, but I did not want to take any chances. Tieing up wet shoe laces and pulling wet shoes on and off, is not made an easier by sweaty hands.

Not screw up T1 so badly.

For a heavy guy who just started training in March, I guess the run wasn't the end of the world.

On the other hand, the competitor in me hated seeing the stream of people passing me on the left, especially since I had pretty much been middle of the pack until the run.

Not be fat. :(

Okay, once again, I just need to put more time in so I don't have to walk as often. I think it was a total of 4 times and I really lost alot of ground compared to those who just kept chugging along.

I staggered around taking in the sights and walked my bike over to the car.


Just conditioning and inexperience.


Overall, the whole day was nearly a perfect first race experience. My fiancee got a huge kick out of the announcer calling the race when he mentioned me. Even the BBQ afterwards was quite tasty and family were allowed to join in as well.

I think the only real downer during the whole day was the way that raffle prizes were handed out. Not that I was expecting one but the groups of people shouting out numbers, those the race director knew and the age group winners were miraculously the first raffle winners and then the rest of us who had stuck around were asked put our numbers in a box. It sounds like sour grapes but I am just trying to be honest because it really was the only downer on an otherwise superb first experience.