What can I say? This didn't go at all like I had planned. I expected a time in the water of about 12 minutes. I went out WAY too hard and couldn't catch my breath after the first 200 yards. I swam the last 300 yards doing the breast stroke. It was a horrible swim and I felt terrible. I blew up and it hurt me the remainder of the race.

Swim my own race and go at a reasonable pace.

I had no idea what to expect. I figured 2:30 would be pretty good for a first triathlon, so 1:56 is OK with me.

I was trying too hard to catch my breath after the death swim. I think I could do a sprint OK without socks... for sure without gloves.

I was a minute slower than I thought I would be. I expected to average 21 mph, but the first few miles were really tough after the swim.

I just didn't push hard enough on the flats and downhills. I was passed by three riders on the course, all of them going the speed of heat. I did well on the hills and probably passed 20 or more riders. I'm not unhappy with the ride, but I could have done better.

I racked the bike, took off the helmet, gloves, and glasses, and couldn't find my running shoes. WTF? I was in the wrong rack. So I had to pick everything up and move it. Again, the wet socks didn't help. I think going without socks is the ticket in shorter races.

Find the correct bike rack! Go without socks.

I expected to run at least an 8 minute pace and was thinking a 7:30 wasn't out of the question. The first mile was brutal. I made up some time in the last mile and lost some time at the end of the race slowing down to pick up a friend, but that probably only cost me 30 seconds or so. I am disappointed in my pace.

Run faster? Hell, I don't know. I did the best I could given my apparent lack of conditioning.

The swim. I never recovered from the first three minutes of the race.


This was one of the best organized events I've attended. It was my first tri, but no other race or bike event has been this well organized. Great job!!