Coldest water I've ever swam in before even with the wetsuit. It was pretty choppy since the wind picked up just before the start so I definitely took in a few gulps of lake water. There is no way this course was anywhere close to the listed length. I know I don't swim that fast and I certainly didn't swim that fast given the mass start and the chop.

Get in a swim with a wetsuit before doing it in a race after not doing it for a year.

Went pretty well, still need to work on a flying mount but other than that no trouble at all.

Did great on the bike. Could have maybe pushed just a tad bit harder, but I'm very happy with the fastest split for my AG and 11 overall for the race. The ride was a bit longer than the 13 miles listed on the course description according to the Garmin.

Push a tad bit harder on the back stretch.

Fumbled a bit trying to get the helmet off and shoes on but still a fast transition.

Well I decided to run without socks to save time in transition. In hindsight this was a terrible idea since I ended up with a nasty open wound/blood blister combination on my right big toe by the end of the race. I'm pretty happy with my pace but feel I may have been able to push and get down into the 7:30's. Either way in hindsight skipping the socks in transition wasn't worth the time savings since the guy behind me was six minutes back.

Do more training runs without socks to build up the feet, or just go ahead and put socks on in transition.

Had a beer and sandwich and waited for results then awards.


Blister open wound on my foot for the run.


Overall it was a great race very well put on and a bit on the small side. The guy in our AG who originally got first was disqualified, by the times it doesn't look like he did the whole run course, or he should become a professional track athlete with a 14 minute 5k. I'd do this race again next year even if the water was still this cold. Overall great way to start off the season.