Started out okay but after we went through the sausage bouys things got a little chopppy and some of the swimmers got tossed around. By the time we got out to the yellow bouy the ladies had caught up to us and were swimming over top of us. I would prefer they started the female group before us, this is a pretty common experience since that age group seems to always out swim the clydesdales.

Well, I hadn't put on my wetsuit in 4 years (and 30 pounds) and realized that it was actually restricting my stroke motion and my shoulders were killing me afterward. I would spend a little more time in the water so that I am not intimidated in an OWS, this being my first race in 4 years it was nice to be a human cork for your first time out.

I was so worn out from the swim that I almost thought I wouldn't have the strenght to get my suit off.

My Tri bike was stolen in 2010 (further causing me to leave racing) and I threw together an old felt for this race. I would have liked to have had aero bars and I may retrofit them on this bike. There was a strong headwind heading back to the transition area once we headed back north. Being a bigger guy, head winds are really a bummer. Nothing like peddling like crazy and looking at your garmin and seeing 14mph.


Probably get fitted on this bike, the wheels are actually pretty decent but I felt some joint pain. I raced with this bike throughout 07 without any issues but like I said, I threw it together for this race.

By the time I hit the run course it was getting pretty hot. I must not have hydrated enough on the bike, I started cramping and my HR skyrocketed into the 190's. Obviously, I had to walk until my heart rate would slow down. Eventually after drinking at every station and cooling off, my heart rate finally started to settle down and I was able to run the last two miles after run/walking the first 4.

Normally, the run is the one sport I am usually in the top half of my group in. My last 10K was about 1:03 and my training held about a 10:30 pace but the wheels just came off after the bike unfortunately. All in due time I guess.

Luckily this race has fantastic support and there was plenty of hydration at every mile.

More brick workouts, better hydration on the bike. Just plain get fitter.

How people could eat pizza that day was beyond me. I live across from Old Northeast Tavern so I grabbed a few banannas, got my bike and headed to the bar for a light beer and a protien salad. For a bar, they actually have great salads/sandwiches and it was a good recovery.


Being out of the sport for four years, I could have spent more time in the water and done a better job of getting my weight down so wasn't constrained in my wetsuit.

I ran IMLKY 30 pounds lighter than I was today, I think once the weight is off I will be back on my game.


Great race, great experience. Just the kick in the butt I needed.