I started fast trying to get out of traffic, but quickly went into a full-on panic attack. The water was cold and choppy and I hadn't swam in the ocean since last fall, and I think it was a complete shock. I started hyperventilating and my wetsuit felt like it was crushing my chest. After the first few hundred yards I couldn't swim freestyle for more than a few strokes without stopping to catch my breath. About 2/3 through I finally started to calm down a little but the swim was a bust. The only positive was that it was a straight point-to-point course so I had no navigational issues.

ALWAYS get in the water and swim before the race, especially in the ocean. Start slow and ease into it rather than going like a bat out of hell.

It was a long run from the swim exit to my bike and I walked the first few feet while a regained my composure from the swim. I can't pinpoint anything that went really wrong but this wasn't a great time based on the results of those around me.

Learn to clip my shoes in before and put them on after I mount.

I knew I had a lot of work to do to make up for the swim so I pushed hard on the bike. I felt good and stayed aero pretty much the whole time. I fell in with two roadies who were strong riders. They would drop me on the climbs but I'd pass them back on the flats and downhills. I burned a few matches trying to stay with them but it was fun and helped me push hard on the bike. My BMC felt awesome with a fresh tuneup. The only down side of the bike was that the last half mile coming back over the bridge to transition was single file on a wood plank surface. Slow and tedious.

Continue to work on bike fitness so a hard ride doesn't kill my run.

I fumbled around a little bit, especially with one of the speed laces on my shoe. Probably lost a few seconds there and finally just left it loose. Grabbed a squirt of Tailwind and headed out, put my watch on while I was running out of transition.

Make sure I know how the speed laces work

I could tell as soon as I got off the bike that my calves would be in rough shape. Had to take the first 1/4 mile slow to get them stretched out. After that I was able to push pretty hard and I caught quite a few people on the run (including the two roadies from the bike). I felt like I emptied the tank on the run despite my slower-than-normal pace. I guess that's what happens when you push really hard on the bike.

Try to stretch my calves on the bike before I get into T2.

Got some Gatorade, stretched a little and walked out to see Charlie finish.


Panic attack during the swim, mediocre transitions.


Fun and well-organized race. The logistics are unique with the transition area being on a barrier beach 1/2 mile from the mainland. This allows for a straight point-to-point swim but I also found it to be a detriment to the bike. Overall very good event.