I positioned my self to the far right in the front with the thought process that i would have no one in front of me so I can get into my groove early and use the current to naturally push me back towards the turn buoy and the shoreline. This started out good as I felt really good in the water for the 1st half of the swim and then BAM! I cant explain it and it has never happened before but I lost all comfort-ability in the water. I couldn't put my face in the water and couldn't understand it since I didn't feel fatigued. I tried a few times but nothing, I swam a little with my head out of the water and then finally decided to stop and take 15-20 seconds to try and find my mental. This helped as I was able to fight through the rest of the swim but never gained the feeling I had for the 1st half

Stop earlier to regain composure instead of trying to fight through it. The effort used is not worth it

Had a hard time finding the strap of my wetsuit since I was wobbling after the swim. Then suit got stuck on timing chip

Just try to be faster

Wanted to push it faster than last year and I did that, completing the bike leg about 30 seconds faster. Watched my power numbers which helped me realize I could push it a little more or a small decline section of the course

Nothing

I really need to get another pair of quick laces as tying my shoes takes unnecessary time. went sock less

So this is why it is imperative to pay attention to the pre race meeting. I was still lingering in transition while the meeting was going on cause I figured since I did this course last year and once your been to one transition meeting you have been to them all, that is NOT the case

If I had paid attention I would have known about the stairs in the 1st half of the run due to construction that changes the course form last year. I started out the run pretty fast when I looked at my watch I was doing a 5:30 mile pace so I knew I had to real it back. I wanted to push it so I settled into a 6:20 pace. I got to a round about and noticed it was fenced off and someone was just sitting there, I stopped for about 10 seconds until the volunteer finally told me I needed to go up the flight of steps.

After that bit of confusion I continued on at a good pace.The last mile or so is on a board walk and this is where mishap number 2 would happen. I had my timing chip turned to the inside which is a no no because I am pigeon toed and through years or practice I can run with just enough clearance that I don't trip over my feet. On the run I kept on hitting the timing chip with my foot but when I got to the board walk my foot tripped on the wood then hit the timing chip and then down I went! I was able to keep my forward momentum into a semi graceful ninja roll and pop back up and keep running. though my pace slowed by about 10 seconds for the final half mile.

Pay attention in the pre race meeting and put my dang timing chip on the outside of my ankle

Went back out and cheered on my fellow club members still finishing and all the other competitors the PANCAKES


This is a race I see my self doing every year