First open water swim race ever. I was simply trying to not get in people's way. I felt it was average speed. Got cut off a number of times in the first 200 yards and bumped bodies for the first 300 yards. Got good separation from pack on the final turn buoy. Strayed a bit on the way in and pulled up 3-4 times to a breast stroke to catch my breath and find the correct line. Felt really good passing a few people from teh wave in front of me but was very tired coming out of the water. Oddest part was the thick hydrilla along the course that hit my face and got caught in my hands on a lot of strokes. Very eerie.

Trust my line more and swim until the finish.

Long run to T1. Was so tired from swim I was passed by at least 8 people on the way to bike. Took another Clif shot, drank some Propel and got gear on. Socks got stuck on wet feet but no big deal. Total blur.

Dry feet better. Eat and drink on bike. Push to get to T1 area.

So tired from swim and T1 that the uphill start wore me down. Did not settle into rhythm until mile 3 or 4. Was passed on hills by people with much cooler bikes and bigger calves than me, so I was not too discouraged. I did try to push a little at the end and passed 2 people in the last 4 miles. I did not take advantage of the downhills to offset the uphills. Cadance was bad uphill as well.

Have a better strategy. I was just trying not to exhaust myself and save something for the run, so I guess I accomplished that. In future races, I will find stretches to make a move. Did not manage course very well.

Went to wrong rack. Strange how #290 looks like #190 at this point of the race. Put running shoes on and realized my sock was not aligned correctly on my foot. Had to undo and redo shoe. Took a shot and went on my way. Waved to kids and thanked them for coming out.

Go to the right rack for openers....

On initial uphill I could barely move my legs enough to justify running. Was passed rapidly by about 1/2 dozen "real" runners then settled into a good group. After opening climb my legs came back and I tried to pick up pace. Passed a few people and made the turn around excited for a finish and some doenhill terrain. After mile 2 got in a pack with two others, which was a nice diversion. We were all rookies and pretty damn tired. Soon we heard cowbells and announcers and pressed for the finish. Great last 1/4 mile going over a bridge and by the swim (which seemed to have happened weeks before) and the to the end. WOOHOO!

Better hill preparation.

Stopped. Drank as much as I could and ate a bunch of fruit and pizza.


Hills were my main downfall.


Good support overall. WOuld have liked more mile markers on the bike course. Weed-whack the Potomac!