The swim was awful. I felt like I went into shock when I hit the water since I was acclimated and it was freezing. I also drank about a gallon of water (that's what it felt like) during the first 100 m. Everytime I turned my head to breath I got a mouthful of water. The waves were 6 inch ripples and at the exact wrong height. I should have looked back more to get a better breathing zone. I tried to breath on the other side, stop swimming to get oriented, breath every stroke, etc., but couldn't get into a rhythm. It turns out I was going pretty fast.

Get in the water before the race to get my body acclimated
Breath by looking back so I can get a pocket to breath in
Slow down and get in a groove
Make sure my goggles are tight so they don't leak

I put my shoes on before the transition and had to run up a muddy hill. It took a couple tries to get them to clip in, but it finally worked. Overall, it wasn't too bad.

Long-term, consider whether I could try without socks and whether I could leave my shoes attached to my bike.

I felt strong on the bike and only one person passed me (30 year old), but I passed him back on the last hill as he was getting on his bike after his pedal fell off.

Nothing.

I felt OK on the run (better than I thought I would). I didn't drink anything and just tried to keep a reasonable pace. No one passed me and I didn't pass anyone. I finished hard.

Maybe push a little harder earlier in the run and start my hard finish earlier as I had a little energy at the finish line.

None.


Swim - see above