At the start of the swim, I was very cold and shivering standing on the beach. The sand was soo cold and the air temp was in the 50's. I actually went into the water to warm up. The race directors closed the transition area at 6am and my wave didn't start until 6:55am. I had lots of nervous time to just sit around and wait and think about how long the swim was and how long the day was going to be. At one point it was soo bad, I almost considered not starting. It was the first time in any race I was having self doubt.

Finally, the wave before mine went off and it was time to head into the starting shoot. The cannon went off, and as I went out I could not get breathing rate under control. One of the goals I had, was to breath on the right side every fourth stroke. But I was not relaxing enough for this to work, I had to breath every second stroke. After about 200 meters my left arm started getting sore, so I switched to bilateral breathing for about 100 meters then returned to right side breathing. I had some dificulty with the sighting and got off course a little. It didn't bother me too much until I got way off course after the first right turn and found it difficult to get back. It seemed like I was getting pulled out to sea by the current, which did not help the breathing rate at all. After I rounded the second turn buoy, I was feeling a little more at ease knowing I was heading back to shore.

Exited the water thinking, YEAH I CAN DO ANOTHER LAP, BRING ON IRONMAN :D


For IMFL, I need to stay in tighter to the buoys since I don't have to worry about the waves of swimmers coming up behind me, and definetly keep a tight turn around the outer most buoys. Also, sighting a little more frequently would probably be a good idea.

Stayed with the plan of walking on the beach to T1 to get the heart rate down. Found an empty Portapotty as a preemptive step for the bike. Had a volunteer apply sunscreen, then walked the bike out of T1 staying calm and focused.

For this distance race, I would probably try to go faster and cut trans time to sub 4 minutes.

As I started out on the bike was I feeling real good. The weather was turning out to be the best you could expect for a race day in May, low humidity and low temps. I had three primary goals for the bike leg: race nutrion, race hydration, and find a race pace that would give me a good run time.

I headed out on the strip, the wind was feeling manageable. I started getting competitive real soon when a female rider went zipping past. But, I stayed in my zone took in some water and focused on spinning and getting the heart rate down. The route took us out on the strip for a few miles before it reversed course to head back to the start line then north for another out and back. I spotted Joann shortly after starting, making her way back amd gave her a shout out. It is sooo great to share the day with a loved one in a way that only they could understand by participating instead of jock straping. A few minutes later I saw Ken (Manatee Express) and shouted at him too. It took me another 20 minutes to catch up with Joann. Unfortunately, another rider was blocking me from giving her a good luck butt pat, a second shout out had to suffice. :(

I felt real good and strong going out to the turn point, I kept looking at my pacing while keeping my heart rate below 160. I was looking for a bike split of around 3:15. As I approached the half way point, I kept doing the math in my head and looking at my watch, it was not what I planned. I was on pace for a 2:35 bike split. I also started having problems with me neck when in the aero position, which was forcing me to sit up. I started backing off the pace alot. A few miles after the turn Ken passed by. Well, the competitive side took over the rationale side, and I kept on his tail as he went by. We did the cat and mouse thing until the bridge. After the bridge I decided to bring it back to the game plan and get the H.R. down and spin more to loosen the legs up for the run.

I could have gone harder on the bike and still had the same bad run splits.

Transition went smooth, took time for another pre-emtive Portapoty visit. Didn't run at all, just worked at lowering the heart rate.

Run through transition.

Well, I learned the run course for IMFL. Goal accomplish, enough said.

Chilled out, talked with Ken, drank a couple Gatoraids, ate some pizza, then got a GOOD rub down. Cheered Joann into the finish.


I never really considered this race as a goal race, but more of a learning tool for IMFL in November. It was to give us a gauge of our early season training, our race nutrition, hydration and pacing, and to learn the course.

I have the following conclusions for IMFL:
1. I can do the swim distance in the open water, probably with seas about 50-100% rougher than what we encountered without blowing up.
2. Everyone said the roads on the bike are bad. However, I ride frequently on roads MUCH worse than those on the race course.
3. Having to do the out and back run twice for IMFL just SUCKS. I would rather go 13 out and 13 back, but at least now I know what to expect.

We also realized, no matter what condition the host hotel rooms are in, it will be worth it to not have to walk to race.