I finished about 2 minutes faster than last year, so I was glad for that. My start wasn't really very good (everyone in the race starts at once so it's very crowded), but the race went pretty well overall.

They had us swim counterclockwise this year; I'm thinking that is because sighting into the sun was such a problem last year. Luckily, it was overcast this time anyway, so sighting was much easier overall.

From the start to the first buoy was mainly jockeying for position. From the first to the second was pretty uneventful, since I seemed to be the only one swimming my particular line. That meant that I couldn't find anyone to draft off of, as much as I tried. Second to third buoy was the choppiest part of the swim. I took on water a couple times but was able to breathe left well enough to avoid inhaling too much. I apparently don't sight as well breathing to the left though, and was doing some zig-zagging.

It was a straight shot from the third to fourth buoy (end of race), so I concentrated on swimming the straightest line I could and trying to keep my energy up. I was swimming right with this guy as we rounded the third buoy so I made it a goal to drop him. Shortly after the the buoy though, we entered Water Weedville, and I was having a terrible time getting into a good rhythm because I just hate weeds so much. So I gave myself the "Kelly, get a grip! They are only weeds!" talk and managed to finally find a decent rhythm and drop the guy.

Unfortunatly at the end, my goggles really started to leak and as I approached shore, my entire left goggle was full of water. I closed that eye and sighted with just my right eye, which was pretty hard. I ended up standing and running a lot sooner than I normally would have since I just wanted to get those goggles off. That probably slowed me down some since I don't run in water very well.

Eat a better breakfast. Get a better position at the start.

As an aside I think there needs to be more than 4 buoys on the course. When I rounded one, I couldn't even see the next one for a while, so I was just kind of following the pack at times. When I was off on my own a bit, I wandered a bit of course a couple times since I couldn't really see the buoys. Oh well.

Had some water and a banana, hung out on the beach watching for Autumn. We stayed a little while hoping to see birkierunner come out of the water, but unfortunately I had to get on the road.


Inadequate breakfast, leaky goggles, irrational and ridiculous fear of weeds


I really like this race--very low key, everyone is friendly, and it's nice to throw in some racing variety sometimes. Autumn and I are *definitely* doing the 2-mile next year (for real this time!).

Edited to add: Apparently I got 3rd in the 30-39 age group (combined men and women). Cool. The Y called and said I have to go and pick up my medal. :)