Started standing about waist/chest deep in water. When the horn went off, most in my wave started swimming but I kept wading for about another 40 yards. I was moving just as fast as the swimmers, so I just kept going until the bottom dropped off.

Being my first OWS in a tri, I stayed to the outside but still tried to draft. Sighting was OK but my normal bilateral, 3-count breathing went out the window within the first 20 yards. Started breathing to the left, away from the chop and tried to settle in. Had to stop and do breaststroke a couple times.

Overall, the swim went about as good as I think I could have expected. I caught several people from the previous wave and stayed with the bulk of my wave. I just wanted to be in under 17 - 18 minutes and I did that. Just slightly longer than my average in the pool of my last tri.

Train more. Train more in open water.

Super long run from swim exit to transition area; out of the river and through the woods... across a field, up a small hill, across another field and into T1. Shoes on good, used water bottle to clean feet, glasses/helmet on good and ran bike out of T1 good. Mounted quickly and cleanly.

Nothing really. Most of time was spent running from water to bike.

Super crowded bike course. Very common to see 3 or 4 bikers wide across the lane. Most of the time it was just during passing but several times it was a crit-style log jam that wouldn't move. Passed a few people on the right because they wouldn't get over.

Mostly stayed with a group of 1 female and 2 male riders. We kept passing each other and pushed each other well. I passed a lot more folks than passed me.

I think their measurement of the course was off by at least a half mile, if not more. I had 12.4 miles on my computer with 3/4 of a mile left to go. I spoke with a few other racers and they agreed. According to the mapping software on BT, it was 13.11 But I digress...

Much better on hydrating this time. Tried to drink at least every 1/2 mile and that seemed to be a good number for me. Drank almost 2 whole bottles while on the bike (about 40 oz). Watered down Gatorade is my new go-to drink on the bike.

Although the packs I was stuck in seemed to move along pretty well, I could have been more agressive with passing and getting away from them. I either need to get an aerobottle or get better taking the bottle out of the left side of my saddle rack, while in aero.

Remembered to stretch my calves and hips on the ride up to the dismount line. Ran in well and found rack easily. Took up some time getting my insoles out of the bike shoes and into the running shoes.

Not forget my running insoles. With only 7 seconds between me and the 2nd place racer in T2, I definitely could have gotten 2nd. Didn't make any difference overall, but...

Wasn't too confident in my PF ladden feet with the old insoles as I started the run. Ankles and lower legs stiff and sore for the first mile. First water station was just out of T2 and I completely missed it. I was able to pass several people and tried to push the pace as much as I could.

There must have been some sort of walking event on the path too, as there were tons of walkers all wearing name tags. They didn't really get in the way so it wasn't a big deal, just a little distracting. However, this run course was the second choice after a bridge on the first course was hit by a boat. Anyway, one older lady was cheering us all on as she walked. That helped me a lot.

Still, PR'd... shaved a minute off my last run leg.

I tried to drink water but they had it in styrofoam cups which don't cooperate too well to the squeeze techique. Plus I still have trouble drinking while running. It always goes up my nose.

Maybe push harder. I'm still trying to learn how I feel towards the end of a leg and when to push harder.

Cold towel, water, Gatorade... walked around. Cheered for meh as she came into T1.

As I was checking the results, just before we were going to leave, I noticed I was second in the Clyde division. So, we decided to stick around for the awards. And sure enough... I got some hardware!


Lack of training... my gut.


The confusion with the swim start was almost a big SNAFU. Luckily we figured it out with enough time to get to the correct location. Some signage would have been helpful. Especially since the swim direction changed 3 times before race day. Another water station at the run turnaround would have been very helpful. And, again, their bike distance was off. Oh, and greasy pizza afterwards was not appetizing. The fruit was good but the pizza was gross.

Other than that, there were plenty of volunteers and police. I'll be back next year.