Felt VERY uncomfortable for the first half of the swim. I wasn't panicking but I wasn't relaxed either; breathing was labored, stroke wasn't smooth, and I couldn't avoid contact with other competitors. Water was cold, but I am not sure that was 100% of the problem.

Switched to breast stroke for about five minutes, wasn't moving as fast but I was starting to relax. Switched back to crawl, and really focussed on swim mechanics (long and smooth in the water exhaling in between breaths). With three buoys to go, I was finally feeling good so I picked up the pace. When I started hitting the bottom with my stroke, got up and ran the rest of the way in.

One good thing about this swim, nagigation was excellent. Never drifted off course.


Done at least one open water swim before this race and possibly do a short swim warmup.

As soon as I crossed the timing mat, I was able to put the swim behind me and focus on the rest of the race. Very smooth transition, no wasted energy; dropped the cap and goggles, wiped the feet off, slapped on the shoes, socks, and helmet, grabbed my nutrition and headed out. Jumped on the bike and was clipped in and upto speed within 15 seconds of transition.

In the run up from the beach, saw five people in front of me. Beat them all out of transition.

Nothing, this was a good transition for me.

Goal for the bike was to ride 'comfortably hard'. Right out of the transition, I passed several other riders. Heart rate was a little high at the beginning, so took it a little easy for about a half mile. Got stuck behind a car that being overly catious as I left the park, so that helped me get the heart rate under control.

After exiting the park, started picking up the pace. I was actually passing some other riders (a rarity for me, normally I just hold my own on the bike). A guy from my age group passed me, but he was a bigger rider and mashing pretty hard. Let him go since I thought he would fry his legs and I could take him on the run.

Minor incident about half way through. Was coming up on a turn, and saw a women in front of me who was not riding a very straight line. Didn't want to pass her on the corner so I slowed down a bit. She had exited the turn as I was entering it. Announced that I was on her left (as the RD asked us to in the course meeting). Of course, she looked over her left shoulder and began drifting left. I then screamed, "I'm on your left", she screamed, "I know" (while still drifting into me). Ended up going into the other lane to avoid the accident (thank goodness there was no oncoming traffic)--I probably could have been DQ'd since crossing the center line on an open course is an absolute no-no, but I didn't want to crash either.

Calmed down from that, and rode the last 1/3 strong; picked up the pace a little more since the legs were feeling good and there was hardly any wind. As we entered the park again, saw the guy from my age group that had passed me. He had fried his legs and was hurting pretty bad (chaulk one up in the good decision category).

With about a half mile to go, dropped down a few gears and started spinning to get the legs ready to run. Unvelcroed my shoes and prepared for a smoooth transition.

Very little. This was one of my better bikes. In retrospect, might have been able to push a little harder.

Another good transition. Stepped out of the cycling shoes, put the running shoes on, grabbed the race belt and started running.

Nothing, another good transition. I could be a little faster here if I could find a quick lace system that could get my shoes tight enough around the toes.

Had full intentions of rocking the run. Wanted to start a little slower and build throughout. Did the first mile in about 8:00 minutes. Grabbed a gel and water at this aid station. Started picking up the pace here and did the next mile in 7:30. Was still feeling really good so I picked up the pace some more and did the last 1.8 in 12:35 (about a 7:00/mile pace). Drank a little something at each aid station.

This was a great run for me. Passed bunches of people (including two guys from my age group) and only got passed once.

Push a little harder early on. I don't think I was even close to red-lining during the run.

Grabbed some gatorade and found my family. After a little bit, ate some cookies and drank some more gatorade. Cheered on the remaining sprint competitors and then watched the half-ironmen make the transition from bike to run. Grabbed some more food and then headed home.


Not doing any open water swimming this year. This was a 'B' for me, so I was not fully tapered. I still had a good ride, and one of the strongest runs I have had during a tri.


Great race for a great cause (Racing for Recovery). Last time they had a race at this venue it was pretty bad. They corrected most of the problems and it was an awesome experience. Great post race food and plenty of aid stations out on the course.