For my second open water swim I guess this would be an improvement. Unfortunately, my right goggle started leaking. By the first turn it was full of water. Rather than stop and fix it, I decided to just close the eye.

I managed to keep one swimmer on my left after the first turn, so I didn't spend too much time navigating.

Make sure goggles are on and sealed completely.

Took a lot longer than normal because of the distance from the lake to the transition area. Walked rather than ran to make sure my heart rate was down. Probably took it too slow, but better safe than sorry.

First race with bike shoes and new socks. Just upgraded to clipless 2 weeks ago. One sock went on inside out, which cost me a few seconds. Then I took a slow walk to the mount line since I'm not quite used to running in bike shoes yet.

More experience with bike shoes will save a few seconds. Need to remember to double check socks.

For me, this was probably my smartest race. Just about my fastest. Played tag with a 21 year old girl that I finally left behind after about 10 miles. While some of the other riders were huffing and puffing in high gear and getting out of the saddle to get up the hills, I kept a nice cadence in low gear and spun right up. This is the most people I've ever passed on a bike leg. The hills were definitely my strong point.

Finished the bike leg and glanced at my watch - 1:05. My goal of breaking 1:30 was in sight after the bike.

Forgot to reset bike computer before the race, so I had to estimate my bike speed by averaging what I thought was the speed of my last ride.

Again, had to walk with bike shoes since I'm not used to them. Could have saved a few seconds there. Also missed when racking my back so that cost me a few seconds too.

Need to get used to shoes.

Forgot to take my Gu. May have cost me a little bit in the run.

Terrible run. Felt good until I had to go down the stairs of the first bridge. Then I bonked. Had to walk 4 times on first lap, which was a terribly slow 15 minutes. Managed to do the second in a little over 14. Only walked once on lap two, for about 20 seconds while climbing up the hill with loose rock. Didn't have the juice left at the end to pass the three people I was running the last straightaway with.

Take the Gu in T2 even if I feel great. Work more on bricks. Only did one all month.

Walked around a while eating a banana and drinking water. Played with my 3 year old son on the playground qhile waiting for wife to finish. Met Steve (sblack) by accident. Turns out he goes to church with my in-laws...small world.


This was only my 2nd open water swim. The first was at PlayTri. I've never practiced it, so that's a big limiter. Swim was probably a good 90 seconds slower that what I would have done in a pool. Need to find some place to practice open water.


Last year's Denison Dash was my first ever tri, so this race may always be my favorite. The bike course is fun but challenging. I hate the run course...but I love it too.

As for my performance, I missed my goal by four minutes. Easy to say that my run did me in, but that wouldn't be fair. Plenty of improvement in all areas...

Swim was poor. Need to practice open water.

Bike improved, but there's still some work to do.

Run was awful. Part of that was the course, but I just didn't have the energy to go faster.

Pretty happy with my performance even though I missed my goal. Now looking forward to a week off.