To sum it up ---> Awful. My 1st triathlon was a disaster. I was in the 1st wave and it was an in water start. Knowing that I am not a fast swimmer, I got as far left as possible for the start, which helped a little but the 1st 50 yards or so was like everything I had heard and read. There was a lot of grabbing, hitting etc. going on. I had to stop a few times b/c I felt like I was getting dunked and I was swallowing a lot of water. After the 1st 50, things seemed to settle down as people distanced themselves. A quick look @ my HRM ( 160+) told me I had to relax, which I was able to do and I was even able to get into somewhat of a rythym. My bilateral breathing was working like a charm. All of this was short lived as I could hear the next wave rapidly approaching. The tumbling like you are in a washing machine started all over and this time I was ready and fended off a few people, all the while appologizing.

Then, after about 200 yards or so in, I felt like I was bit by something as I experienced sharp pains in my calf. I had never gotten a cramp while swimming before so I was confused on what to do. It was really bad and I couldn't shake it.

So, my revised plan was to fall back into survival mode and do whatever I could to get out of the water as fast as possible. For a split second, I did think about giving up but as sappy as it sounds my little yellow LAF bracelet helped me through it. I thought about 1 of my favorite quotes " Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever" and kept going. I swam every type of stroke I could think of and may have even invented 1 or 2 more while I was out there. I hit the 1/2 way point @ 13:22 (159 avg. HR).

It was nice to be heading back in. My leg would start to feel better, i would get in a few yards of freestyle and the pain would come back. A spotter on a surfer board could easily see that I was struggling. I told him about my cramp and he offered to let me hold on and catch my breath. Even though I was tempted to do so and knew that it was legal, I refused and proceeded on with my death march. The highlight for me was when I noticed that I could see the bottom and was able to stand, albeit in a lot of mud. Although it only lasted about 25 yards or so before it got deep again, I really picked up some time here as I was able to walk through the water and I was even passing swimmers (haha). Finally, the finish was near and I exited the water in 28:11. 2nd half was 14:49 (159)

Hmmm, more open water swimming. More confidence.

Ah, something I am good at. I have never been more happy than when I exited the water. I got my suit down to my waist withing seconds of exitinng. And Sue was there to snap a picture. I would have ran but my calf was still killing me, so I kinda skipped and hopped.

I found my spot ok, jumped into my foot bath and stripped out of my suit, got the helmet on, stepped into my shoes and I was off.

I was really looking forward to the run as its by far my strongest event. I had done numerous bricks during training and have always been able to run sub 8's, which is exactly what I was looking to do.

But it just wasn't to be. My legs were trashed. Normally, it takes me a good 1/2 mile or so to get my feet back but I knew after the 1st quarter mile that the pain wasn't going to go away.

I struggled to keep it under 10's.

Warm down? I was just elated to be finished. Sue was waiting for me at the finish, and I ran into Jason and Heather and hung out with them until after the awards ceremony. Heather was 1st overall female and got a neat trophy.


All in all, I am glad that I finally got my 1st race under my belt. This journey started last year and injury kept me from racing. I have learned a lot from this race and have lots of room for improvement. I am already looking forward to my next one.