When I registered for this race it was to be my first tri and it was my first with an OWS. So when I registered I put myself in the novice swim wave. When it was our turn (we were the 5th of 5 waves) I waded out to the start bouy and placed myself close to the front and towards the center. The first 200 to 250 yards were out to the turn bouy and into a head wind with the associated waves. I really struggled to get going as quite a few of the folks up front decided they would walk to start and I had to get around them. Fortunately I was fairly close to the front so this didn't take long.

I struggled sighting and getting into a rythm with my breathing as every time I would look up to sight, I would catch a wave in the face, which would throw my breathing off. I wound up breathing every stroke out to the bouy. I finally just swam with a guy to my left and trusted that he was heading the right direction. I never saw the first bouy so when I reached the second I was a bit confused if I should turn or keep going. The group was turning, so again, I had to trust the crowd.

Going in we had the wind and waves pushing so it was much easier to get into a rythm and make some time. I swam in as far as I could and when the hands started grabbing sand I got up and ran into the beach. Running in a foot of water for 25 yards is a challenge, but made it out of the water with the wetsuit almost off. I was surprised to see there was only 7 or 8 from my wave ahead of me. Connie was along the path up to transition along with some folks from work that came over to cheer me on. That was a big help.

I just need to swim more. More in the lake and more in the pool.

This was a slow transition. I got out of the suit fine, but struggled getting the socks on. I need to learn to ride without socks.

Learn to ride without socks. Learn to mount the bike with the shoes already clipped in.

I am a little dissapointed with the bike time. Earlier in the week I got the Garmin bike mount on the bike and the 2 times I used it I had no problems with where I mounted it, but during the race I apparently kept hitting the start and lap button. Subsequently, the data was out of wack.

The first half of the race is a gradual climb into a head wind, with a few minor down hill sections. I spent most of this time passing some of the earlier waves that were on mountain bikes or hybrids. The only challenge to passing was the course was on a busy state highway and at times there was no room to pass without getting into the traffic lanes and I would have to wait for an opening in traffic. After we made the first turn, it was mostly flat or downhill with a few gradual climbs. Again I was passing people quite consistanly.

I felt I was pushing hard enough to meet my 18 mph goal and leaving a little bit for the run. I think the fact that I was only passed once on the bike and not having the computer gave me a false sense of accomplishment. I think the bike course for this race is probably one of the easier courses in the area. No significant climbs and mostly flat allowing for a good pace. I would really like a "do over" for this one.

Another argument for practicing for race day was my aero drink bottle. I added this last weekend and didn't use it at all before the race. It worked great and I really think it helped me get all my planned fluids in me during the race. However, about 3/4 into the race, I started hearing funning noises from the front of my bike. All I could think about was what was coming apart? I had replaced the front tube on friday, did I leave the front skewer loose? Was I going to lose the front wheel? Did I break a spoke? I finally came to the conclusion that as the aero bottle got close to empty, the little bits of gravel were echoing off the side of the bottle and coming up through the straw.

Push harder, especially earlier in the bike. Relocate my computer mount so that I can use that instead of perception as to how well or poorly I am doing.

Just continue to improve my bike experience and fitness.

I managed to get one foot out of the bike shoe while still on the bike, I should have started this process a little earlier so I could have gotten both out of the shoes. I probably looked a little funny with one on and one off.

I got the bike racked and the running shoes on fairly quickly, or at least I thought I did until I watched the pro transitions later in the day. I did pull a dexter and forgot the race belt and number.

Remember the race number. Maybe try the yankz laces to avoid having to tie the shoes.

At the Pittsford tri, I really struggled off the bike. So, since then I made sure I got a couple of good bricks in to improve on this. Off the bike I had no issues at all with the legs. Other than remembering about a 1/4 mile from transition that I had forgotten my race belt, I was able to focus on the run and maintaining the pace. I was able to get the garmin back on track for the run so I had a good idea what the pace was.

Again I was passing people pretty regularly and for the first mile I was right at or a little below 8 min/mile. I had a goal of sub 8:30 so this was good and I was feeling strong so I kept pushing it. The BT aide station was at about 1.75 miles and again at about 2.25 miles. Its great to run through a station where some of the people know who you are and give out a cheer for you. Gave me some motivation to keep pushing both times. I started to slow some on the last mile, but not too bad. Still felt strong all the way to the finish! According to the garmin, which matched what I remember from the results posted at the race site I was about 8:20 a mile, so I was happy with that.

Just keep focusing on my running off the bike. Other than that, not too much.

Met up with Connie, drank some water and ate half a bagel. Hung around for the awards.


Experience


Well run race.