This was my first competitive open water swim and I'm not sure whether or not I should have expected to swim faster or slower in open water. I didn't have a wetsuit and most of the athletes did but I was able to stay with the second group (might have been the third by the end but it was the second for most of the race). I started outside and back and was surpirsed at how quickly the horn went off after they told us we were in the hands of the starter. I found some feet and could actually feel the draft pulling me along. I swam nice and steady throughout and felt comfortable for the whole swim. I had some trouble spotting the second buoy after the turn but as we were swimming in a paddling course I followed the buoy line towards the next turn buoy. I have been swimming 1:40 or so in the pool so I'm not sure if the switch to OW made that big a difference or if the course was a little long. I will have a better idea when I have a look at some of the other times and compare them to mine.

I need to swim more in OW to get more comfortable with sighting. That seemed to be the biggest problem that I had. Beyond that, I feel that my pace and exertion were good and I felt great at the end of the swim. I also want to look at getting a wetsuit and starting to train in that to see if it improves my performance enough to make it useful.

I was slow - the run from the swim exit to the transition area was at least 400m and by the time I got to my bike I had some difficulty standing up straight. This led to problems getting my socks and shoes on which made this transition way too long.

I need to practice more starting with my shoes on the bike and seeing if I can handle biking and running without socks. This would have probably saved me at least a minute on this transition. My goal will be to gain at least a minute in my next T1.

Within about 2km I found that my front derailler had an issue - it was rubbing on the chainring when in the middle blade. This wasn't a big deal for the first 5km as I was in the big ring and cruising fairly well. However, the second 5km with lots of climbs led to some odd gearing combinations as I couldn't use my middle blade - only the big and small ring so I was in some combos that I would normally never have used. I was able to do fairly well going out - getting passed by three riders and passing one and on the way back I was passed by two more riders. On the return trip I was very comfortable and able to use my big gear most of the way.

Double check my shifting before the race - losing one of my chainrings was definitely a hinderance to my performance.

I was a little slow here as well - I think I should be able to cut 30 seconds off this time. I knew how to get to my spot on the rack - however with the gravel in transition I didn't take my feet out of my shoes on the bike. As well, I had some trouble with the race belt which I wasn't 100% sure whether or not I had to have on as I left the transition or not.

Take my feet out of my shoes and run into transition with the bike. Put on my running shoes (need to get speed or elastic laces) and grab everything else to put on as I hit the course. My goal is to gain 30 seconds on this at the next race.

My legs felt dead for the first km or so but I was able to run just under 5:00/km for the first couple of km. There were several rolling hills which caused several pace changes throughout. I passed one athlete from my wave but was passed by a provincial team member from the second wave (15 minutes behind me - someday I want to be that fast!). I felt pretty good on the run - I should have started my kick a little earlier but I think overall the pacing was good. As I was coming in I saw the clock and realized with a little more effort I could finish in under 1:23 - so I did in 1:22:59 - just made it!

Take all the water offered and if I don't need to drink it use it to dump over my head - it was fairly warm by the end of the race and I think I would have benefited from the extra effort to stay cool. Start my kick a little earlier - maybe another 2-400m or so.

Walked and stretched for about twenty minutes. Cheered on the other racers coming in and then headed out for a shower and to get changed before the elite race.


My transitions and open water swimming. I will be working on both of these things leading up to my last sprint at the end of the month.


My goal at this race was to finish in 1:20 or under. I missed this by three minutes but know that I can make up that time in my transitions and with having all the gears working on my bike. I was very happy with this race and think that given the much more challenging course than the previous race that I performed very well and look forward to the next one!