this is one of the worst swims in a race I have ever done. Everyone seemed to miss the start there was alot of confusion out there and it was offputting. the water was cold but not overly cold. I found the first 100m's incredibly difficult. I couldn't breathe and I could not settle my breathing no matter how hard I tried. I felt really really constricted. (I realise no it was the wetsuit not fitting correctly)
the swell and chop were quite big wich didn't help matters. i tried my hardest to settle my breathing into a steady pace but could not do it and I wasn't panicking but I was close to it. I considered putting my hand up to be pulled out of the race. (never ever had any problems like this ever before in a race)

I did a few breaststokes and sucked in as much air as I could and just kept going. rounded the first buoy and was looking right into the sun. so it was difficult to site the second buoy. Unforunately with the current and the sun everyone headed the wrong direction off course a good bit. excellent just what I needed making a difficult swim longer.

I did settle into some form of pace by the second lap but it wasn't comfortable and it was with breathing difficulties the whole way.

I am quite confident that I'm never going to drown, I've def got the ability to calm myself down and rely on the fact that if you're wearing a wetsuit (even if it constricts your breathing) you will float no matter what.

wear a diff wetsuit (more on that later)

I had a pretty good transition. it was a long run from the swim to the transition which I didn't run all that fast. I have trouble running without my shoes on my feet just complain too much. so I took it easy.
got the wetsuit off and helmet on and off I went.

focus

After a disaster swim, I focussed on the fact that this was a training ride. and I attempted to keep the cadence high and spin. It was really windy on one half of the loop and you could fly back on the other part of the loop. I just tried to keep a steady pace and drank to get rid of the salt water.
It was quite tough into the wind, but I wasn't pushing it and I was quite happy with my 28k average.

Push it harder if it wasn't a training race.

I had a rubbish transition, racked the bike with difficulty I just couldn't get it under the rack with the bottles on with all the other bikes in the rack. I was convinced I was coming last at this stage which was a bit demoralising.

I'd put toggles on my laces and stupidhead didn't check ti make sure I could get my feet into the shoes with the toggles on. duh. I couldn't ended up ditching the toggles and tying up my laces which obviously meant I was slow in transition.

not do something diff on race day. check the toggles are gonna work. duh.

This is where I really started to think I was going to come last. thats a scary thought. the first lap was hard work and things were hurting, my shins especially. the second lap I'd warmed up. (it took 5 k's to warm up the legs for running) defintely sure the second lap I negatively split by alot but didn't time it.

I just felt dead slow with no pace.

Probably not do an olympic race after a 3hr run 2 days earlier :)

I wandered around chatting feeling a bit low about how slow I was. I was really hoping for a faster race! But I have since realised I was running on very tired legs. I had a rubbish swim and I'm just overall tired in the lead up to Ironman. I'm glad I've got a race under my belt esp figuring out how bad that wetsuit was (again more on that later keep on reading ;) )


my lack of speed!


This race was great the organisers were great, its really nice to do some of the smaller club races out of Perth. a real community event. I enjoyed it.

We headed over for the presentations and they had some fabulous spot prizes. i was just chatting to a friend about how these things never seem all that random when they called my name up for a spot prize!!! I'm still extremley excited about this fabulous spot prize!! I won a $500 2XU voucher! SOO all that trouble I had with the borrowed wetsuit I will hopefully be able to rectify with a nice brand new super duper top of the line 2XU wetsuit!! and they are pink!

so a rubbish race for me turned into one of hte best races I've ever done! I also won a 2XU cap which I was looking at in the shops the other day for the Ironman. I normally wear a visor but was wanting a cap to cover my head for Ironman so I don't get a burnt noggin. I looked at them but couldn't justify $40 for a hat! I got one for free. Very happy turtle!

my dad was pleased with himself too he came 2nd in his age group and he was happy with his time.