It was a somewhat disorganized start line, but as I lined up with the other red caps, I felt like I had a pretty good line straight to the buoy. They yelled "go!" and we were off!

The first buoy was basically just past the breakers. I did just fine getting out there, and when I popped up at the buoy - Chrissy was RIGHT next to me! I tried to stay on her feet for a bit, but lost her in the crowd headed to the second buoy. The turn was crowded, but afterwards it was fairly clear heading to the next buoy. I turned towards shore, and I found myself next to a CRAZY kicker. I couldn't breathe to the right side because of the wake behind his kicks. I focused on just hanging next to him, and lost him when he hit the breakers going in. I bodysurfed a few waves, and when my hand touched sand, I got up and headed towards the shore.

I made the turn to run on the sand back to the start, and was informed I was the third woman! I looked around for Chrissy but didn't see her.

I headed back into the waves, and it felt much more difficult the second time around. After navigitaing through the breakers - which seemed bigger - I hit another swim wave. There was lots of dodging and weaving, and it seemed more crowded than the first trip out. Again, and the turn to go parallel to shore, I found myself some space. I motored to the next buoy and turned to head in.

Somehow, I got stuck next to ANOTHER crazy kicker! This time on my left. I breathed to my right, and sighted to see some monstrous looking waves. I saw one behind me that looked massive, and decided to bodysurf it in. Well, I felt the wave pick me up, and I opened my eyes to see that I was on top of it! I cruised along for a while - it felt like I was teleported most of the way in... but I knew what was coming. I got slammed down from the top of the wave and tumbled a bunch underneath it. Finally, it let me go and I came up for air and found myself in yet another wave of people.

I swam in until my hand touched, and ran up out of the ocean, feeling fairly beat up - but I had fun and I had a GREAT swim.

Tighten my goggles more, especially if I'm going to wear them under my cap.

Found Chrissy's bike still in T1 and waited for her. Handed in my timing chip, spectated, drank beer, cheered, and had fun.