This was a rough water swim. Started out with Dan and Shelly, saw Shelly next to me at least until we exited the marina. Once we got past the breakwaters you had to start really paying attention and trying to find the buoys and stay on course. Waves were generally coming from right to left so breathing to the left was easier. Sighting was tough as a lot of the times you popped your head up there was just a wall of water there, so you had to hope you sighted when you were at the crest of a wave. I was wide on the first half of the course. Definitely to the outside of a lot of the swimmers. I tried a few times to get over there but figured it wasn't worth that much effort as we all seemed to be headed in the right general direction. Once we made the turn for the bridge sighting was easier as that was a big enough landmark to see no matter how big the waves were. Once past the bridge I sighted better to the buoys. I also tried kicking up the pace as I knew I was in the latter half of the course. I had a hard time finding the finishing boat ramp as it wasn't marked and I was pretty confused as to where we were going. Just sort of passed the seawall and saw it off to my left so I turned in and that was it. There was supposed to be a current pushing us along, but I think the wind nullified that.

Try to sight better, check out the finishing area before the race. I felt like i handled the waves and chop pretty well in terms of staying in a rhythm and keeping my wits about me. In the past (once in a race, several times in OW training), conditions like this have put me into survival mode, but I felt comfortable enough in those conditions to stay strong and keep a positive mindset.

Met up with Dan who was out before most, and then we kept a look out for Shelly to come in. Then we watched a lot of the swimmers come in and transition. Ate a few snacks and had some gatorade. Took our time to cool off/change and went for a run. Then watched the racers come through special needs.


This was a fun race to do. Didn't specifically train for it.


CTA does a great job, there wasn't much to be done for the swim. Wish they had some more buoys out there to sight to.