The swim started out well but I had a bit of trouble settling into the swim. The first 375m was into the sun and I couldn't see anything but splashing. I kept pulling myself over to the right and I had to keep correcting my swim direction. I was breathing hard coming out of the water to run around a pilon then around and back into the water for the second loop.
I must have finally warmed up because the second loop felt faster and easier. I was even catching up to a few swimmers. I came oout of the water feeling much better than after the first loop.

I was slower than typical for me so I do need to get in the water and get used to OWS again. Work on my strength for the swim.

I wasted time with socks and for not being organized.

I need to practice my transitions. I'm sure I can save a few minutes here.

For most of the bike ride I felt I was pushing hard except for the hill climbs which slowed me down to barely faster than a walk. The hills weren't so bad in themselves. I am just terrible at climbing them.
I started seeing the same people on our two loop course and it was easy to encourage them on.

I need to get stronger on hill climbing.

T2 was relatively quick and my rack was near the exit so I was out of transition fairly quickly.

Just do everything faster.

By this time in the race the heat was on and there was no shade anywhere. We were running on hot asphalt and there was no relief from the heat anywhere Just keep going.
The first loop was hard and as I turned to run back out it was a slow run back up the hill but it didn't feel so bad and I was able to run much better than I had been. The second loop was easier and faster. I felt stronger in spite of the heat.
I passed a fellow doing his first triathlon ever and I told him I'd meet him at the finish line to congratulate him.
In the last half km I was running faster and felt like a real runner (if only I could have run like this for the whole 10K). I ran up to the finish line and felt great. I coped well with the heat and enjoyed the whole race.

I need to get stronger on the run. I was very slow on the first loop but the second loop felt so much better. I'm hoping the second loop is a glimpse of improvements that are coming.

Crossed the line feeling strong and found my wife and gave her a big hug. Then I hit the food tent for some watermelon. I love watermelon!! and had some pastries. The volunteers assured me they baked them just for me. I didn't care, they tasted real good after all the liquids.

Then I went to the finish line and waited for the new triathlete. His wife was concerned about him until we saw him coming down to the finish line. Felt pretty good to congratulate him.


Lack of warm open water swimming and then intense heat without a chance to acclimate slowed me down.


For my Age Group I won a free entry for this race in 2017 so I'm going to do it again. It is a good local race and it would be better if there were more participants. This is a very good race for beginners and experienced athletes as well.
Lots of athletes run the Olympic on Saturday then the Oliver Half on Sunday.