First time using wetsuit, first ocean swim- Way too much waiting til wave 5 - all that anticipation ! Dizzy (cold water) on exit, some trouble finding ziper tab....
overall- this wasn't half as bad as I had envisioned- waves, current, salt water swallowing- all new - but doable-having Kathy in my wave was super , and seeing Rob emerge intace helped!

Be a competent swimmer, Have experience in the ocean and with a wetsuit....Have webbed feet and gills ??

Long way to t1- peeled suit halfway enroute- but I think I was just so THANKFUL to be out of the water I wasn't really focused on next step- or being speedy !- Surprised by a friend as coming into chute - Great surprise but stopped me in my tracks!Getting the suit off took some time- really not sure how long-kind of a blur but I don't remember any huge difficulty other than chuckling at my "balance" issues with the dizziness.

Practice this transition more to get faster at getting out of suit-

I can do better than this. Lost my water bottle early- gave it more than a thought which was a waste of time. Found myself losing focus a few times looking at the scenery...duh....not a cruise, jo- this is a race!

racked at far end since was no assigned # racks

Quicker transition, faster into clips, Don't lose waterbottle, - RACE!

I should be able to get this down more- stopped to drink because of lost bottle on bike,

experiement & practice w/ bike shoes on & off for both transitions to take less time

Again- I can go faster than this- but felt ok- concerned about hydration/cramping because ususlly drink all on the bike- but short enough that it didn't seem to matter, tweaked my ankle a bit at one spot-

(That BT hug on the way by probably cost us both a few seconds lol!)

have a functioning watch to better gauge effort/time- also I didn't see mile markers which I find helpful - especially towards the end to try & pick it up a little-

really none- met by BT Pack THANKS ALL !!!! - and friend at finish chute- didn't really stretch-= had a drink talked & then went to cheer Kathy in -


Hmm.....A pace car next to me saying GET THE LEAD OUT GIRL THIS IS A RACE!


One reason I wanted to do this race was to get over the "firsts" of an ocean swim, and using a wetsuit- BEFORE next season.Late season - lots going on so only signed up a few days before- thanks really to Rob & Kathy's plan to do the race. Didn't have lofty goals because of the need to overcome the swim stuff- but was a bit disappointed in times- BUT- Beautiful day, nice course, and end of season race with great support from BTers Had really NO idea where I was time or place wise at end so was a kick to be 1st in AG - rendezvous w/ BT crew- Life is good!