This was my first triathlon with open water swimming, so it was my first experience with the washing machine effect. Overall, I was very happy with the swim. The water was cold this morning because some thunderstorms rolled through the area overnight. Another guy told me that I looked very cold before we started. I was one of a few without a wetsuit.

The first 200 meters was rough, trying to not swim over others while also not trying to be swam over. I had to breast stroke a little becuase I didn't feel like I had enough room to freestyle. After the first turn buoy, The water opened up a little bit and I finally started to get into a rhythm. The 2nd wave started to catch up to me at the end of the 1st lap, but by then, it was spread out enough to where it didn't bother me too much. I just kept telling myself to keep swimming, one arm in front of the other.

A wetsuit would have been nice.

T1 went very well. I took my time and just tried to make sure that everything went smoothly and I didn't forget anything. I got my socks and shoes on, my heart rate monitor, my shirt, sunglasses and helmet pretty quickly, took my 2nd GU, unracked my bike, and took off running towards the line

nothing. I was very pleased with my first transition.

I was again very pleased with my bike. The coure was hillier than I thought it would be, but I accomplished my two main goals. I wanted to stay in aero for most of the ride and negative split my laps. The only times I got out of areo was to drink and some when I was climbing the hills. I was excited to pass 6 other bikers on the route, so I knew I wasn't the slowest person out there.

pedal faster. I also need to practice hills more.

T2 once again went very smoothly. I got my bike racked, my helmet off, and I took my 3rd GU.

nothing

The run for me was just average, a little slower than what I was hoping for. It was hot, and my calves started to cramp about a mile into the run. I was hoping to run 5 minutes, walk 1, but I ended up running about 3 minutes and walking 1. I took lots of gatorade and water at each aid station and just tried to power through. At the start of the 2nd lap, my legs were starting to feel better, but they were still tired. I still negative split my run, with my 2nd lap being about 3-4 minutes faster than the first.

run more

Once I finished, I grabbed a bottle of water and had to sit down for a minute. I went to the bathroom and found out that I hydrated very well during the race. I packed up my transition stuff, loaded up the car, checked my time and headed home satified that I did my best. I got home and found out that I only lost about half a pound, so I was very pleased with my food/liquid intake for the whole race.


genetics. I will never be better better than a MOP triathlete, but I feel like I did my best today and had a very good race overall.


I wish there was more post race activities. Once I finished, there was only snack food and hot dogs to eat, and I was hoping for something else, since I don't like hot dogs very much. I didn't hang around very long after the race, but for such a cheap race, I guess they had to cut back somewhere.