Interesting race since this was my first tri and first open water swim with a wetsuit. I almost gave up immediately after the practice swim. I could not control my swim due to the wetsuit. Weird sensation. But I stuck with it and thank god I complete the entire swim without major incidents. I doggy paddled to the first bouy as everyone in my group was trying to position themselves and swam entirely too fast for the early leg of the swim course. Once passed the first bouy, I resume swimming -- breaststroke, all the way! I caught up with most of my wave group and some from early waves. It's fun to pass others -- a good motivator. I was cautious on all turns as I am "blind" without my glasses. The lake was not too bad, I can still see my hands underwater -- cool and calm swim. It's great to finally touch the beach and run to my first even transition area!!! A little wobbly but great feeling.

I would start more to the left of the bouy and stay away from the wave. This allows me to establish swim pace faster instead of trying to avoid legs in front of me.

No T1 time available. I don't have clip-on shoes yet therefore I don't have to deal with it. Getting off the wetsuit was a challenge. I basically strip down my wetsuit to my waist as I ran to my transition area -- fun times.

Take time to hydrate more before I take off!!

Tough ride! Too hilly for a novice. The hills come to soon in the ride and it doesn't seem to end. It was a challenge. Dropped my water bottle in mile 4 -- NOT GOOD. I was dehydrated mostly the entire course. I think this contributed to my slow ride ..who knows! It was also interesting to not draft in the ride -- makes me think while I ride -- :)

Get more water bottle backups!!

Smooth

Dismount better!!

Too slow. Unsure of my stamina anymore. I was too concern of overly dehydrated due to my biking incident. So I run conservatively. Bonked about mile 1 -- worried but had to keep going until the water stand!! Thank god for hydration. I picked up running pace too late. I knew I have the legs for it but just was not aggressive enough.

Be more aggressive! Looks like running is my best area -- I know if I run close to others I will run a better time. I love to chase down anyone within my sight! BE AGGRESSIVE!

Hydration!!Hydration!!


Experience. I need more race in my belt in order to gauge my personal endurance and pacing.


A good race course. Organization need to be improved. I would do it again. The swim course is fun. Most challenging was the bike course. This year this race was the South Carolina State Sprint Chanmpionship -- and I think this is why the times are fast!.. Good times! Extra note: Need better parking control!! Very haphazard parking issue -- need volunteers to control traffic flow.