Probably my best open water swim ever. My time doesn't look all that great but I had never swam with waves before. This was something new and I enjoyed it. There were times I would be putting my arm in the water just as a wave would hit me and it would slice right through nice and smooth, it felt very cool. No sidestroke for the first time in the past 4 races so hopefully that mental block of needing to rest, keep my head up or whatever is satisfied. I took it hard but controlled, if I felt like I was going to need to rest (sidestroke) I would just slow down.

Going out at the start was a bit difficult going into the waves but the way in was fast with them. My biggest problem with this lake is that you have to run/walk the last 50 yards in because it is so shallow. This easily added 1 min + to my time. Swimming in with the waves would of been so much quicker.

Other than get more laps in the pool and drill work, nothing. I am not a fast swimmer but feeling good coming out of the water sure helps the rest of the race. I felt good.

I am quicker than last year with the same swim exit and bike start so that is a plus. I could of been quicker but not by much.

Just move quicker.

I didn't know what to expect but I knew I had a 5K coming up that was suppossed to be hilly on the first half. My thinking then was to push the first part of the bike hard. I knew the first hill from last year and passed several going up and down. After that it was one hill after another and I kept looking for the first wave riders coming back. It seemed like a long while. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. On one side it could mean I am close to catching some of the first waves or I had a lot farther to go then I wanted. I saw them just as I was turning off to make the circle to head back in. The roads were wet and had some sand in a few places to make you have to think when cornering. I felt pretty good throughout but I was definately feeling it in my legs and concerning me a little about the run.

Just more miles and hill work. Training has been lacking this spring with a lot of other time committments but through it all I am happy with my effort.

Took way too much time here. I left with my sunglasses and returned to my bike to leave them. I wasn't going to need them and with running on the golf course I wanted to be able to see the roots and stuff. It wasn't sunny anyway.

Just leave. Get in and get out. Last year this was 48 sec's.

Very hilly golf course with constant up and downs but I was able to manage. I tried to keep the pace up and didn't walk at all except at the last water station when I asked the guy if this was two miles. He said I had a mile and a half to go...I was at 18 min's and thinking you have got to be kidding me. I drank the water on a walk and took back off. Well I get about 150 yrds from the water station and some guy says just around the corner you are almost done. I actually had about 3/4 mile and not 1.5. I wouldn't of walked or taken water and actually would of put in a kick sooner. I wish they would mark the miles. The course is very easy to follow. They spray paint a line to follow in the grass for the entire course..they should be able to paint a number 1,2 or 3 on the ground. Either way I was happy with my time under 8 min's with my training lately and after a hard bike. Better run than Martinsville.

Train more and speed drill/work

Walk around and get something to drink. With the overcast skies and rain is wasn't too bad out.


Probably my whole weekend with the wedding and getting no sleep and sleeping on the floor ect...obviously training consistantly but I am pleased with the race.


I really like this race and will keep doing it. It is only in its second year and is still having growing pains. They really need chip timing as they had my time off by 8 min's. They had me in the Open catagory and not in the age groupers and my wave went of 8 min's afterwards. I wasn't the only one. It was very hectic at the end but they did a great job getting everything straight and were very patient as were the athletes. Not sure why they have an open catagory for the overall. If an age grouper finishes first overall he still only gets his age group trophy not the overall that goes to the open catagory. Very wierd. I got 3rd in my age group last year and missed first by one minute. I thought I had a chance to get a place this year. This years course was a lot more difficult than last years and I was 2 min's quicker. I got 4th and was 4 min's behind third who was 5 min's behind 1st and 2nd who were both under 1 hr.