Really happy with the open water swim. This time I had goggles with corrective lenses and I could actually see the buoys..wow what a difference.
I was swimming straight, so all the pool work over the winter time had paid off. For some reason I had trouble breathing bilateral, but I was still going straight even after 20-25 strokes of almost all unilateral breathing. Really happy. Lost the cap early on, and I wasted probably 10 secs trying to recover it. Also had trouble locating the last red buoy (apparently so did other people). At first it threw me for a loop, but then I just followed the other swimmers. This time I was passing people, felt nice for a change.

The first 200-300 yards sucked. I wouldn't say I was freaked out, but I certainly was little on edge and had to calm myself down and find my groove. I just need to remember that and expect it the next time.

Overall ok, I had the wetsuit down to my hips by time I was at my bike. Had a little trouble pulling it off the heels.

Need to practice wet suit removal, also need an old 5 gal bucket to sit on.
Need to practice running mount/dismount (haven't done that yet), but I don't think I lost that much time by running with my bike shoes.

Really happy with the bike ride.

It took me about 2-3 miles to get my bike legs. I guess I need to practice more swim/bike transitions. I probably could have gone a little harder, but I didn't want my legs to be completely shot.

Didn't get out of my shoes before dismount. I hadn't practiced that enough, so no experiments. I had to spend a little bit of extra time to put my socks on, because I still had a healing blister on right heel.

Really happy with the run. This time I was passing people. It took my legs about 1.5-2 miles to "feel" normal, but then I was able to to go. 8min30secs is good pace for me anyday, esp. after biking, so no complaints.

More bike/run bricks to shorten the time my legs feel like jelly.

Walk around


Very nice race.