We set off 10 minutes after the pros.
Got a good start, nice slow strokes, making good progress. Swam next to somebody so no need to sight. The water was so murky you couldn't see your hand.
Rounded the first bouy, now swimming into the sun, couldn't see a thing now either above or below water! Kept swimming next to my new friend who knew how to swim straight! More than I can.
Then.... disaster. More or less race over. One of the pro's (had to be one of the top 2 looking at times) about to finish, swam straight over the top of me, and after I gave him a bit of a kick to let him know I was there, his stroke smashed right onto the garmin. I knew instantly it was gone! I now had no idea as to how I was going to pace anything, as I do most of my training by HR. Carried on in the swim for now, just chugged on round. Was a decent swim really for me.
Last bit was a bit boring but got out, no idea of time, headed off to T1.

Not wear my garmin on the swim. Or lose it.
Wear smoky goggles
Warm up by swimming across the lake.

Wetsuit stuck again. Time for a new one!

Buy a new wettie

Didn't realise how tough this bike was until I'd got to the end of the first long strainght sand realised that the nice pace I'd been keeping up was due to a strong tailwind. The other 3 legs were all cross or headwinds, and combined with not very smooth roads, made for a tough day.
Saying that though, this was probably one of my best rides, having no Garmin and just pushing through. Eat and drank when I felt like it.
Pretty much even split both laps which is a first for me, normally I drop off on the second lap, so must finally be getting stronger.
The early start wandering round in bare feet plus the cold swim and now the wind on the bike gave me numb toes which was a shock when I started taking my feet out for the finish and could hardly feel the shoes!

Maybe not push so hard.
Not wear my garmin on the swim. Or lose it.

A great T2!!
Heard Tammie yelling at me, waved back, then saw my wife, waved at her, introduced her to Tammie, and still got in and out of T2 in 1:38! And I put socks on.
Maybe I could just go for the T2 championship if I have no socks or distractions :)

Nothing

This is where it all fell apart, and I basically gave in. The run leg is my weakest and I need the garmin to keep focused.
Half way round the first lap I had nothing in my legs, so told myself I had pushed too hard on the bike. Had a pee stop, took a gel, plenty of water and slowed right down. Unknowingly, the first lap was still, even with all this lot going on, a pretty good pace for me, but I didn't know and just gave in. Ran past Jo a couple of times, but she didn't recognise me! Hat, sunnies and lycra might have had something to do with it!
Walked, jogged the last two laps at a stupid stupid slow pace that I'm pretty embarrased about now. The gel I took went right through me, so I took no more nutrition either which didn't help.
Poor effort.

Not wear my garmin on the swim. Or lose it.

Lots of fruit, lots of ice cream.
Sat and watched the awards. Was tempted to attempt and get a rolldown for Vegas, as hardly anybody wanted it, but decided after the performance I'd just put in, I didn't deserver it. Next 70.3 I do though, I might be tempted.... :)


Not wear my garmin on the swim. Or lose it.
Head.


Stunning organisation.
Awesome vollies.
Hate 3 lap run courses, but might have to come back to get my self-respect back.
Off to race the sprint this weekend.......