This did not go well. I felt ok about the swim, wasn't nervous and felt good about the distance etc but as soon as I started I was fighting panic. The swim was in a lake and it was very, very dark and it just freaked me out not being able to see anything.
I swam for a few minutes trying to calm myself down and flipped onto my back and was ok doing that but everytime I had to put my face in the water and saw how black it was I freaked.
I hung onto the kayak for a minute to gather myself and started off again but it just kept happening so after about 600m the boat pulled me out.
I thought that was the end of my day but when they got me off the boat they said I could still do the bike / run legs if I waited till everyone had cleared the transition area so even though I REALLY, REALLY wanted to go home (as I had in my head already) I toughed it out and got on the bike.

Lots of practice. I had this experience the last time I attempted this but got over it with the help of one of the tri club guys babysitting me. That lake wasn't as dark though.

Had all the time in the world as I had to wait for all the swimmers to come and go!

This was a tough course with the hills and the wind.

Get outside more - I know the time in the saddle wasn't a problem but add wind and add hills and it showed up my lack of real bike fitness.

Nice and quick

Nothing.

Felt good, felt pretty happy to be off the bike to be honest.

Have a better swim and bike :)

Does sulking count?


Training on the bike.


I set out last and was last the whole race. Mentally this was a major challenge and I pretty much wanted to quit from the minute I got into the boat.
To see people packing up behind me was humbling to say the least.
I later found out they pulled a few people out of the water but they didn't attempt to finish so I guess I feel good about the fact I gutted it out even though I really didn't want to be there and I was really embarrassed.
Some of the guys from the tri squad waited for me which was really nice and I got some lovely comments like "You have more courage than I've got" and a big cheer when I went across the finish line (I was hoping to sneak in without anyone watching!).
When I finished I looked across to the transition area and EVERY SINGLE THING was gone except for a little bit of rack and my bike!! So I saw the humour in that and took some photo's - much to the amusement of some people close by. I left pretty quickly because I was really embarrassed but in the end I am glad I did it.
I said to one of the tri squad guys "I'm still not a triathlete because I didn't finish the swim" and he said "yes you are, you did all the hard bits" so I guess I'll take that!