Very slow swim start. Slower swimmers in front of me prevented me from swimming "my pace", when I got to the first bouy it was ridulously slow to get around the bouy... almost a dog paddle there were so many people in such a small space. Once around the bouy the field seperated a little. I felt my swim was slowed due to slower swimmers in front of me. I was preparred to be kicked and hit in the pack, but was a little suprised at how many people were swimming breast stroke. I think I got kicked in the ribs by each and everyone of them. I am not sure what to do to avoid this, without being the first in the water. Since this was my first triathlon I was not aiming to be the "first one anywhere". I know for the future to get myself in front for the swim.

Get in front, and swim hard for the first 100, then settle into pace, hopefully in a thinned out field. I am a much faster open water swimmer than what is represented in the race... if I am disappointed about any part of the race it was the swim....disappointed just isn't the right word though...

Since this was my first triathlon I have no comparison, but the distance from the beach to the transition and the distance from the transition to the bike mount area seemed kind of far. This is not a complaint, just an observation that makes up for some of the long transition time. I ride a hybrid bike (Cannondale Comfort 5)and have pedal cages. First thing I put my run shorts on over my swim suit (Speedo Jammers) and went to work getting the remaining sand off my feet, and got my socks and running shoes on. Because of the long run from the beach to the transition area I was not dripping wet and did not have to fight myself getting my running shirt on. I had prepinned my run number to my race shirt since I do not have a race belt. Helmet and sunglasses were next, I unracked my bike and was off running with the bike to the mounting area.

I will upgrade to a actual tri suit for my next race. That will elimintae some of the steps of my first T1. I can't run without socks so I am not sure that there is a good answer with dealing with my feet and sand. Also, when an upgrade in bike happens the shoe situation will change as well.

The bike loop I could have done harder. I paid attention to my cycling computer and tried my best to stay in "my zone" but no matter how much tried my speed crept up. I imagine it had something to do with me hearing the same phase over and over and over on the bike "On Your Left". That was somewhat frustrating. Since I live locally I am absolutely used to the conditions that I was biking in and yet I was going faster than I do normally. I forced myself to back down over and over telling myself that I need to run when I am done with this.

Go a little harder.

My transition could not have been better for T2. Since my running number was already on I only had to rack my bike and change from helmet to running hat.

I have no idea...

Run was great. I took it easy off the bike. Being my first triathlon I wanted to finish the race running. Much like the bike I could have gone a little harder in the run. I am happy with the time, but it could have been better.

Go harder.

Not knowing how I would perform in race conditions I took it a liitle too easy. I know now I can push myself harder on the bike and run. I need better strategy on the swim and that will help as well.


Even though this was my first triathlon, I thought it was great. Kudos all around to those that put it on. My only suggestion to make it betteris for a louder megaphone...some of the announcement were hard to hear, otherwise perfect. I would sign up for this event now for next year if I could.