A couple minutes before the 7:15 start time, we were called down to enter the water. The water was nice and cool, not cold like it was on my first open water practice, and this lake was A LOT clearer. I kind of hung out in the "2nd" row because I didn't want to get trampled, but that happened anyway as the guys to my left and right squeezed me out, then the guys behind me swam up on me as I was looking around to see were I should head to get out of their way. I kept the thought of withdrawing out of my mind because of all the hard work I have put in and just kept plodding along. I eventually started putting my head back into the water and just swimming - I was getting out of breath swimming with my head up. It eventually thinned out and was only tight again at the first corner. I was actually quite calm and relaxed on the "back stretch." Coming around the last buoy (and little island in the middle of the lake) I sighted the swim exit banner and felt an incredible joyous sensation - I knew I was going to make it through the swim leg!!! I didn't wear my stopwatch, so I had no idea what my time was until the results were posted Sunday night. My goal time was 30 to 35 minutes.

Not panic when people get close to me - learn how to draft. Drink more water before the race; my mouth got a little dry near the end.

Age Group Rank: 134
After seeing Steve's 10th place T1 (2:09), my brother asked me if I took a nap in T1! :) I didn't sleep, but definately doddled. Just on the other side of the transition area, someone's wife said there was a snake swimming back and forth in from of the swim exit area. Me and a couple other guys around joked that it was most likely more scared of us than anyone was in danger of it. Pulling on my cycling jersey was pretty tough, and one of the corners of my race number tag ripped off the safety pin - I re-pinned it.

Either wear my cycling jersey under my wetsuit or wear a loose fitting t-shirt - and get a race belt.

I loved the bike ride, but mixed my HammerGel a little (well quite a bit) too strong. I have been going through a whole bottle of HammerGel and water in my 15ish mile rides, so I was planning on finishing that off and grabbing a GatorAide at the aide station, but that didn't happen. I didn't have an excellent pace, but I didn't struggle over any hills - actually passed quite a few people while spinning up the hills. My goal time was 1:15 to 1:20. I saw that I came in under 1:20, but didn't check out my pace.

Drink more. Eat more gels during practice rides - I only ate part of one while planning on eating two. I also carried a bananna and PowerBar along for the ride - I won't do that next time either; I think I packed enough food for a 50 mile ride.

Age Group Rank: 115
Again, Steve came in 10th (1:18). I thought I did pretty good, but somehow 2/3 the people in my age group beat me.

I don't know, perhaps play around with taking my feet out of my shoes while still on the bike and hopping off before coming to a complete stop?

Shortly after exiting the transition area, my left quad almost cramped up on me. Then throughout the run I kept "chasing" the cramp out of my legs. First one quad then the other, then a hammy, then quad again, and then other hammy. I never completely locked up, but I couldn't run hard at all. I walked through almost all of the aide stations to drink some GatorAide and I walked parts of three of the hills. My goal time was 45 to 50 minutes.

Not play softball four days before my "A race" - we won both games and I went 4 for 4 and 3 for 4, with an in-the-park homerun my last at bat, plus I scored from first at least 3 times - my legs felt great at the games, but NO SO at the race.

I crossed what I thought was the finish line (but I think it was just a way for the announcer to get the participants names) and was slowing down when I saw the real finish line (a huge arch of balloons!!) around the bend. Two guys tried to pass me then, but I kicked it in. Expecting my "normal" trying not to throw up at the end of a race, I was shocking surprised at how good I felt. I guess since I couldn't push it during the run, it was more like a long, slow distance run. I wasn't out of breath nor could I feel my pulse pounding in my neck and head. I didn't warm down - just grabbed some GatorAide and chatted with my family and Mike's wife and parents. I wasn't at all hungry and didn't participate in the after race activities. My little sister and I got together at my brother's house for a late lunch - all 13 cousins played around the house and yard as Steve and I kept checking for the results to be posted.


Cramping legs.


It was great to see my wife and kids cheering me on as I got out of the water and was heading to the transition area. They did an excellent job of getting to areas and picking me out to encourage me along!!

I was pretty disappointed that I couldn't run, but euphoric at my swim performance. I came in 29th out of 107 first time triathletes. I'm looking forward with great enthusiasm for the Colonial Beach Tri!