I didn't do much training for the swim, maybe twice in the pool... no open water training. I figured hey, I grew up in Hawaii, I can swim 400m in my sleep.

DC told me not to blow my wad in the first 100m. I thought he was being funny. But sure enough, I was gasping just before I reached the buoy! I struggled to keep swimming so that I don't get picked up by the folks in kayaks and have to take the kayak paddle of shame. After fear, shame is a great motivator.

I would train more for the swim obviously. And definitely not start out so fast. And the main thing is to relax in the water and breath. I was so hyped up, even when I tried to recover by doing breast stroke, I was stroking at 100mph and getting more tired.

After the swim I was dead tired, huffing and puffing, walking up to my transition area. I sat down for a bit getting my shirt and shoes on, telling AS how tired I was.

I then took off without my number so had to come back after about 300m biking.

First tri, it was an experience :). But I would leave my number until the run segment and put it on as I'm running.

As my first tri, I didn't push myself too hard on the bike segment. I just wanted to finish and get on with the run segment without toasting my quads. During the out-and-back, a girl in front of me took the turn too wide, hit the gravel and slid out. I was half thinking to help her, but there was a volunteer nearby and well, this was a race. Sorry ma'am, chivalry didn't win today.

Maybe train more bricks so I know I can push myself harder on the bike.

I rode my bike with my running shoes so this transition was very quick.

Running is always my strength and its only 5k so it was very manageable. I didn't have my Garmin to tell my distance so I just ran by feel. The hills were managable since I do harder hillwork in training.

DC was taking pictures so I hammed it up for the camera. It was my first tri so I was having fun. And since I took it easy on the bike I had lots of energy left for the run.

Stretch, eat muffins and drink lots of fluids.


For my first tri this was a great experience. Next time I will know better but the great unknown is what kept me playing conservative.


Great first tri, conquered the great unknown. Now I know that swimming is my great weakness and that growing up in Hawaii doesn't give me a swim waiver. I am scared straight for my next tri.