Rain began to fall as we waited for the gun!!! Started wide and at the outside rear of the pack. Shallow water for the first 30m so wading was the order of the day. Interestingly, HR was 135 after the start which is my most anxious period and the reason why I start slow. If I hit the water running and in the pack I would be anaerobic before I knew it.

By the first bouy I had caught a good third of the field and passed more on the way to the second. Even was adventurous and drafted a competitor for a while and then came in close around the second bouy. Very happy with that and with placing within the pack (34 out of 53!!!)

Close in on the first bouy - increase confidence during the off season.

Took my timing band off and didn't re-attach it!!! Stupid ##%^#%@% that I was.

Not take off my timing band!!!

Quick T2, but shoes wet from rain.

Felt very strong for first 300m, then settled into a good pace. Only three people passed me, one of whom was the Cat winner!

None


More cycling and swim training.


Good race to end the season, and I loved the fact that it was raining. Can't believe that the wind had dropped after the record gale force winds overnight. Amazingly my lack of run training didn't hamper my ability to get the top 10 finish I was after.

Can't believe that after such an effort I left timing band at T1!!!!!!!! so no official times except for swim leg - %$$@&R&$ it all. All times are estimated off my HRM and interpolating of positions from race results.