This was my weakest part of the tri. I guess I got caught up in the "race" aspect of it, knowing that there were people behind me, and I took in a whole lungful of water in the first 10 yards. I spent the next 390 yards backfloating and coughing up water... I didn't really ever get into a freestyle stroke. I really thought that after the swim I was doomed. It was very difficult to breathe.

Spend a LOT more time doing laps before my next tri. Also, I should pace myself and remain calm.

It took forever to get my number pinned to my trisuit. I also took too much time making sure I had everything for the ride... pouring the drink into the aero bottle, putting a gel in my pocket, etc.

I'm getting a belt for the next time and setting up my drinks/gels ahead of time.

After the horrible swim, I was worried... but once I got on the saddle, I felt at home again. I spent the first mile spinning high cadence (for me, about 100) in the small chainring, and then got on the aero bars and switched to the big chainring. It had been raining on and off all night, so the roads were wet and I was staring at my wet front tire the entire time. The ride felt really good, but I hadn't been on any hills in a while, and so my average mph suffered.

I definitely need more hill training, but overall I think I did well for me. Even though I finished 111/124 overall, I finished 93/124 on the bike. That made me feel pretty good. I'm just going to keep training and get ready for the next one.

This transition went much better than the first, but I didn't have that "I almost drowned" haze to trudge through. I think I did pretty well.

I might loosen the velcro on my cycling shoes before I dismount next time, and I'll try to be more expeditious in the transition area.

I drank too much while on the bike, and when I started running, it took me about 10 minutes to feel like I wasn't sloshing. I also had to walk quite a bit (1 minute for every 8 or 9 minutes ran), but I'm new to running, so I felt pretty good about it.

Watch what I drink on the bike, and don't take the gatorade if I don't need it.

Drank a half-serving of Endurox, and then took a walk around the campus (maybe a 1/2 mile)


Almost drowning, and being clumsy/inexperienced in transitions.


This was my first tri, so I really didn't know what to expect, but I had a blast. After I finished, I felt like I had a lot more to give, but I'm not sure if that was the first-time high or real energy. I probably could have upped my run pace a bit without issue, but I was trying to finish and have fun without injury. Only 11 more weeks to Sardis Lake!