Got this race literally at the last minute so didn't think about where to stand on the beach. As the gun went I realized I was in the wrong position - on the L side which would be on the inside of the buoy at the turn. In hindsight I should;ve just walked over to the R.
The only other swim I've done had very few people so the bun fight at the start took me a bit by surprise. I got stuck behind a zagger. He drifted L in front of me so I hopped around the back of him and then he corrected and chopped right across me. Very annoying. I should probably have been a bit more aggressive and moved up at the start.

Arrive at the race a little earlier which would;ve happened if traffic didn't SUCK. As it was it was a miracle I got there in time. 1 hr 45 mins from Stamford in rush hour traffic.

There was a decent run up from the beach, maybe 100-200yds. My bike was just lying on the ground as racks were full but rinsed feet and put on socks and mtb shoes. Have to try and do the no sock thing at some point.

Rack bike somewhere not tucked away but I got there late so beggars can't be choosers.

I was anaerobic coming out of the swim so was right at the limit before I got on the bike. Point of doing the race was to give the new mtb a spin which I did and it was fun if painful from the heat and the gasping.

Train. Familiarize myself with course.

Didn't get a split here but dumped stuff and put on trail shoes that have the speed laces.

Try to learn/train to do this with no socks.

The air temp was so warm - daytime highs were in the 100s - that you couldn't really feel the heat but it was near the 90s which I felt more on the run. Add that to the spastic T2 legs and the run was a shuffle. Plus I really really had to pee by this time. So I just pee'd as I ran - not a good visual I know - but my shoes drain quick and no one was a round. i think it was the world's longest pee.

Not arrive so late at the race that I have no time to pee. Work on running off the bike.

Walked over to the lake with drink. Soaked in lake for a bit - it felt good. Walked back.


lack of recent training and heat.


For a training race this is great. Well-organized, prompt timing, posted at the finish and a good casual summer vibe. A really diverse mix of folk. Knew that I'd suck fitness wise but wanted to do it to get a swim in as the Stamford Y pool is shut and I haven't found anywhere else to swim so haven't swum in a month. Also wanted to test out swimming in linerless bike shorts and Hammer crop top (they work fine) and test the new mtb (sweet!) and work on transitions (gotta lose the socks, gotta lose the socks). Took wetsuit with me but didn;t wear it as thought I;d overheat but would've liked another chance to wear/get out of that in race conditions. As it was I was so late to the race that I wouldn't have had time to put it on anyway. Heat was crazy oppressive - haven't seen official times but would think I'm bottom third. However psyched that I got a good workout/mental health session in against the odds of long workdays and long drive. Races are every week so I guess I have a chance to improve each week.