You had to jump in and then swim a ways to line up for the start. I started underneath the bridge just on the other side of the wall and had open space around me.

I really had no issues with the swim till the turning point and it was major congestion and fighting for position. Once you got by both buoys of, it was smooth sailing. In fact at one point I thought I was majorly off course as I didn't sense anyone around me. Even though I had pretty much open space around me, the water was extremely choppy and I tended to take in more water then normal at least that was what I thought but I don't remember swallowing any.

It was also near the end that I was beginning to feel cold and my left leg was beginning to cramp. I took my time on the steps making sure I had my legs underneath me before I had the volunteers pull me up.

Learn to not take in water during choppy waters.

Had a hard time getting the suit off my arms, so I had to have the strippers help me with that and then I had to get on the ground and they helped me get the water socks off too. Due to the Garmin watch and timing chip, it was hard to get the suit off without also ripping those off. I know I lost a few minutes because of that.

They must had just cut the grass before IM set up as there was grass everywhere. I couldn't get my feet dry and clean before putting on socks.

The first part of the road I thought was rough, once you got onto the Beeline highway the road smoothed out. There was LOTS of flats, not sure what that was all about. There was drafting everywhere, it was like the refs ignored the lead pack of age groupers. Then again at times it was hard not to draft with so many of us on the road at one time.

Shortly after getting on the bike I realized that my stomach wasn't feeling up to par. I was belching a lot and next thing I know I was throwing up. Yes, that was me throwing up on the bike, thank goodness it wasn't much but it was enough to tell me that I did indeed take in too much water during the swim. Not only was I vomiting but I had to use the port a johns a lot, as I never had to go as much on the bike as I did on race day.

The first lap seemed to take forever as I didn't know the route, the 2nd loop was okay now know where the turn around it like lets get to it, and the 3rd, was yes, I am done!

Don't drink the lake water to have an upset stomach.

Because I wasn't feeling well and was vomiting I made more of an effort to drink more.

After reaching the mount line I took my time getting off the bike as I wanted to make sure I had legs. Did a full outfit change and off I went.

After running a bit, I started to feel better but I was behind in my nutrient and just lacked the energy to keep running. At one point I thought I could go sub 14 hours but I couldn't get enough food in me to get that energy back. Overall my body felt good on the run and I know I could have done it, only if I started to feel better earlier.

Lost count on the number of port of john stops I made. Once again it was way more then normal.