Was surprised that I seemed to sight well despite the fact that we were swimming into the sun for the first 1/4 mile. Had to take 2 strokes to sight the buoys but was always pretty close to pointing to them with an occasional drift R. Hard to tuck my chin and lift my head to sight!! Was also surprised that it was hard (out of breath) work the whole way. Water was cedar brown. Goggles were fogging up on the last 200m or so - made the R turn at the last buoy and looked up to sight the beach and couldn't see anything due to fog. I knew it was a 90 deg turn so just kept swimming and came out just right.

Do more swim training to keep form. Realise that I will never have this much room, calm water or luxury in a real race.

Suit was down below hips on the 100 yd run to the TA only problem was getting it over the feet but I just heaved them off with my thumb.

Should've brought trail shoes with speed laces but didn't want to bring too much stuff on vacation so just had road running shoes so had to tie shoes. I also put socks on which Bob said took an age (~:30??). Plenty of space in TA!

Legs were still spazzy - amazes me that the brain says "run" and the legs say "er, what?". Would've liked to have caught the guy ahead of me but plodded along - missed the downhills from the SBR race that got my legs turning over. Was thinking that the bike after the swim is easier because body weight is supported.

More bricks.

small jog but really not much. changed clothes in showers in the bathrooms.


Training otherwise pretty happy with it all. First OWS in maybe 5, 10? years and dispelled some of my anxieties. Still don't like deep dark water and wouldn't necessarily like to swim out there by myself.


It's a training race series so it's definitely no frills - you race, you take your own times although there is a clock out for the out of T1 and the run. No awards, no prizes but lots of chances to practise a lot of things. For me it was all about trying out the wetsuit for the first time and getting in an OWS.