Have I mentioned that this race wasn't wetsuit legal? Well, it wasn't. I know I can swim 1000 yards without a wetsuit since I just did it in the pool, so fitness wasn't the issue. This was my first open water swim, and that played a far bigger part in my swim.

Started near the back so I wouldn't get caught up in the washing machine start. Swam ok towards the first buoy for a bit. I kept swimming up on a couple of guys, and rather than swimming over them, I tended to pull up and start breast stroking. Had a few guys swimming into me from all kinds of different angles as well. I just kinda let everybody go by so that I could swim. That's when I realized that sighting just isn't something you learn in a pool. I never got all that far off course, but I had to stop and breast stroke occasionally to get my bearings again. It wasn't until the last several hundred yards that I got a good sighting and breathing rhythm down. Probably breast stroked a good third of the entire swim. Got tangled up in the seaweed/Spanish moss a couple of times.

I'm not disappointed in my swim, although it's a good five minutes more than it should have taken me. I just chalk it up to inexperience. I actually feel good that I'd learned to sight and breathe comfortably by the end of it. I'll get better at this.

Practice open water swimming ahead of time.

Took my time here since the swim took a lot out of me. I haven't practiced riding without shoes, so I struggled to throw on some socks. Had the only gel of the whole day here as well.

Not much. I may learn to ride and run sockless someday to speed things up.

Er, sorta fell down getting on my bike. That couldn't have helped my time. The mount area is in the grass and quickly followed by a turn on gravel. That wasn't their best idea for the race. I got on my bike, clipped in my left foot and pushed to get some speed (of course I barely moved), then tried to clip in my right. My Look pedal (which I love SOOO dearly) was flipped over to the "sheet of ice" side instead of the right side, so I just slipped when I hit it and down I went. I wasn't particularly embarassed, but I was pissed that I spilled 3/4th's of my water. Got back up and off I went.

I didn't go out particularly fast, but I kept up a decent pace with not too difficult of an effort. I think part of the reason I held back was knowing that I wasn't going to have water for the last part of the bike. I didn't. The rest of the bike was kinda fun. We don't have many hills here in New Orleans, so it was a nice change. My bike computer's speed sensor went out about a quarter of the way through as well, so I really just had to go by effort.

Looked for Laurie on the way back in. She apparently saw me, but I missed her for some reason. I was looking. I might have been admiring the bikes going past me.

Um...not bust my ass?

I felt really good coming off the bike. Still took my time. Drank some water. Waved to my in-law's on the way out.

Nothing.

My pace was actually better than I thought considering this ended up being a run/walk for me. I'd planned on running the whole thing, but it was obvious that my fitness level isn't where it needs to be for that yet. Talked to a few folks who were passing me by or walking. Lots of nice people out there today.

Saw Laurie on the way in and realized that I didn't have a chance in hell of winning the bet (don't ask). ;) Saw Chris (rugbykid) on the way in as well. Yelled something to him, but I'm not sure if he heard me with his Ipod on.

My goal for the race was simple. Don't get last in my age group. In the last mile of the run, I saw a guy ahead of me in my AG. It was then and there that I realized that my goal was in sight. I ran him down and hung onto to him for about half a mile before I had to walk. At this point I was kinda dejected not knowing if that was my only chance of not getting last. Turns out that it was. The good thing is that he started to walk about 10 seconds after I did. That was it. The "chase him" part of my personality kicked in, and I blew by him and never looked back. I'm sure I was running a very speed sub 10 minute mile at that point. :)

Run more before the race. Jet packs in my shoes. Violence towards other competitors.

Water in my commemorative pint glass. Waited for Laurie to finish, and then watched Chris finish too.

What I have to keep reminding myself is that, although I've been around this sport for a year now, this is only my second race. The only one I'd done before today was waaaay shorter than this one. I didn't feel like I was going to die after the race, but I know I have a lot more in me. I will get better at this.


Lack of open water swimming experience and lack of overall fitness.


We'd heard good things about this event prior to competing in it. It certainly didn't disappoint. Lots of enthusiastic volunteers. Well marked course. Even a smartass announcer who I thought was funny. I'd do this one again if we were staying in the area.