Started in last (elite) wave. This was great because you didn't need to sight, you could just pick off the slower swimmers ahead of you. No bouys, just head for GW bridge (but you couldn't see it for the fog).
First 1/2 hr -Drafting with overall male winner from previous two years, so knew I was in good shape. Felt relaxed. The strong current was AWESOME!!!
Second 1/2 hr -could now see bridge, lost drafting buddy but was continuing to pick off swimmers in previous heats...see lead boat about 500 yards ahead.
Last 1/2 hr -Still see Bridge, see waste treatment facility...take mental note to veer away slightly...don't want to get sucked in! Yuck. Lead boat about 20 yards ahead...see two caps. Slowly close on one cap, other stays equally in front of me (my previous drafting partner). Shoulders feel great...fingers are stiff, lower back aches. See Little Red Lighthouse (under bridge), can't see finish area but sure leader and lead boat know where they are going...wonder why we arn't starting to swim to shore. Get too close to lighthouse...know I have passed finish (as does lead boat and lead swimmer). Have to swim against current for last 10 min or so back to finish line. Finish with first wave of men (i'm pissed because I know I swam faster than them...but poor guy who should have finished first (draft buddy) ended up behind me!). Happy to be top female.

Don't trust swimmers ahead of me (or boats). Even if they should know what they are doing, trust my instinct not someone elses.

Water, cliff bar, shower to get Hudson river water off me. Then omlette and beers at local pub with family and friends.


Could have gone out faster but thought the race would take a lot longer than it did. Most importantly, sighting the finish.


Because the race course was faster than expected (thought first people would be done in 2 hours) found out that when I and the other fellow swam by the finish it was not fully set up yet (no bouys out). The race directors did apologize for this and promised it would not happen again.