The start seemed more congested than usual. Had a lot of contact with the people around me, but nothing violent. The chop was a bit more than usual. For some reason I had a strong tendency to drift too far right today. I kept correcting, but it never seemed enough. On the 2nd lap I even started sighting off the wrong buoy accidentally and got herded back to the group by a safety boater. I still had a decent time (for me), but the water level was lower and this was a slightly shorter course.

More swim practice and emphasize sighting skills.

I could tell I was running into the transition area faster than usual, but once there I had trouble getting my wetsuit off. For the first time, it got stuck on my heels and I had to use my hands to take it off (I usually step out of it).

I put my right shoe on and the insole immediately got bunched, and suddenly I felt a little dizzy, like my balance was off. I sat down, took off the shoe, and took a few more seconds to put it back on without bunching up the insole. The left shoe went on ok.

Despite my troubles, I still had a decent transition time of 1:18.

Geez, I really should figure out a different system that doesn't cause my insoles to bunch up! Also, I think if I pull my wetsuit legs up just a little higher they will be less likely to get stuck.

I felt much better on the run this time. Tried to pace well from the start and get negative splits. The first mile went in 6:57. Mile 2 took 6:50, and the last 1.1 miles to the finish went at a 6:23 pace.

I was really hurting over the last quarter mile, but had a strong kick. Probably too strong. Still, I was very psyched at my time. I ran three 5k's earlier this year, and this was faster than two of them. And this one followed a swim, of course.

I was happy to negative split each mile, but looking at my times I could have evened out the pace a little better and probably gone even faster.

Tried not to keel over.


The swim.


Tonight was pizza night, and they had so much extra that the race director said anyone could take a box with them when they left.