Started swim in the middle a couple rows back from the front , thinking this was an ok place not to get run over too much from everything I have heard. Did I mention this was my 1st tri and 1st OWS with a group of people? After about 20 seconds the panick set in just trying not to get run over or drowned. I'm sure if the was a boat 50 meters out I would of went for it, but no such luck. I was thinking what the hell am I doing... I pushed on trying to find a little open water and not climb up somwbody's back or have somebody climbing on mine. Stooped a couple of times but just got run over, so that did not work. Actually backstroked for a while and was keeping pace with he people around me, so that was OK. It took the entire 1st lap to get my head and HR under somewhat of a stable point, but knew at I was just trying to survive and finish. Did not really feel comfortable in the water until the final stretch on the way back able to finally get into a decent rhythm and pass a few people.

not panick, get a wet suit that fits better (was too tight slightly restricting my breathing), not panick. did I mention not to panick??? Not start in the middle of the pack.

Wetsuit got stuck on timing chip. Took a while to get off. Put gels and powerbar in back or shirt before running out of transition, but they fell out before I got to the mount line.

Get different shirt to carry stuff better or have fuel already attached to bike before race.

Starting out at a medium pace on the bike. Legs were hurting a little from the start due to not enough recovery the week of the race. I pushed on after 10 or so minutes and picked the pace up starting to pass a few people at decent pace. Reached to get some gel or power bar and could not find anything. At this point I knew the run was going to be tough on me, but pushed on. Felt good to the end with no one having passed me and passed 4 or 5 guys in my age group.

Most tapering before the race... Work out a beter fuel strategy.

Should have had shoes tied before race and just slipped them on, cost me a decent amount of time. Saw the gels and power bar entering the transition area that I had dropped the first time. Grabbed a gel and stuck it in shorts pocket (should have added another).

Tie shoes.

Legs were really tight starting the run, especially up the grassy hill directly out of the transition area, but keeping the 7:30/7:45 pace I was hoping for. After the 2 mile mark climbing back into IL legs started to give out and had to slow. Quad was trying to cramp but pushed through it and was ok. Took Gatorade at every aid station and water to dump on my head. Lack of nutrition on the bike was starting to catch up on me. Took the gel after starting the 2nd loop (which was too late at this point) and carried on having slowed not to an 8+ minute mile just trying to finish.

Better Nutrition plan.

Water, bananna, walk around a little.


Lack of Nutrition on bike, not enough tapering the week of race.


Ok for my 1st tri, goals were top 1/3rd and 2:30:00. Got the top 3rd but missed the time be a good amount. Should be better next time now knowing what to expect.