Yes, you swas that correctly. Over 15 minutes to swim 400 yards. Sigh.

I'm not even sure where to begin. From beginning to end it was a sad, overwhelming, and scary experience.

From the moment I started swimming, it was difficult to catch my breath. I was hit in every direction from other swimmers. I just was never able to get into a rhythm. My sighting was miserable at best.

I struggled to get to the first bouy. I saw a kayake and swam towards the kayake and held on to rest. I saw a couple of other people doing the same thing. At least I wasn't alone. The guy in the kayake asked me if I was o.k. and I said, "i think so." He than asked me if I wanted to continue on. I said, "yes". Once most of the swimmers had gone by, I decided to make my way to the second bouy.

This is where it was scary. As I feebily tried to sight, I kept going off course!! Every time I would look up, no bouy. I would turn and it was waay over there. A couple of times, some guy yelled, "your going in the wrong direction!" Crap! I was getting so frustrated and tired. Tired being the key word. I rolled onto my back to rest. In tears, I really thought I wasnt' going to make it. I composed myself, and decided to try and make it to the second bouy where there was another kayake. I swam as best I could and finally made it to the second bouy. I got to the kayake, and rested.

The guy in the kayake asked if I wanted to stop. I felt so humbled and defeated. But than I was Pi$$ed too. No freakin' way was I going to stop now. I was nearly there. I wanted to finish this god awful, crappy swim!!! I told him no, and I took off and headed for the beach. As soon as I felt the ground, I got up and ran towards the beach never looking back.

EVERYTHING!

If anyone is reading this who hasn't swam open water, PLEASE, PLEASE, take this advice:

Practice OWS. You will not believe the difference it feels compared to a pool.

Learn how to properly do a second stroke, preferably breaststroke. You can't rely on only one stroke to get you through swimming. You need a back-up stroke. JMO.

Learn how to sight. And practice!

Wear a wetsuit if you can.

Never give up!!

At this point, it was pouring rain. I fumbled around to get my helmet and shoes on. Uneventful really. Thank God.

Well, I could always be faster.

This was a nice course with scenic veiws, rolling hills, and little traffic. I enjoyed this. Until.....

I got a two minute penalty for not staying on the right of the road. Crap!!


Pay more attention to staying to the right.

I spent way to much time fumbling around putting my bike back on the rack.

Not fumble around lookin' like Jerry Lewis.

This was a hilly course. It was an out and back, so you could see the other runners heading back. It was nice because everyone said "good job" and "keep it up". I got to pass a few people and that was a nice feeling. The run was pretty good today.

Not much in this department.

Walked around and ate post-race food.


OWS!!!!!!!!!!


Overall this is a nice race. The people are friendly and supportive. This was a very small race...for the sprint distance that is.

I was truely humbled and overwhelmed in the swim today. I will never underestimate OWS. Will I give up on triathlon? No.

I'm a little bruised and battered today, but tomorrow, I will dust myself off, and begin again. :)