I was swimming fairly well. I positioned myself toward the front of the swim pack, and held onto a pair of pretty fast feet for the first quarter of the swim or so... Then my goggles fogged up. So badly that I lost the feet in front of me, and ultimately had to stop, tread water, and wipe them out. This stop/tread/wipe routine occured about 3 times in total. I actually had to REMOVE the goggles from my eyes at one point to get a better look at where I was going. I was BLIND. I am open to suggestions in regard to a better pair of goggles. The ones I used **SUCKED**.

Had I not had the goggle issues, I probably would have been out of the water in 37-39 ish, which was more in line with what I was aiming for.

Fix this goggle issue. I have problems nearly every time I swim. BLAH! Or perhaps I should try to invent something. Necessity is the mother of invention.

I swallowed some salt water and this made me feel all salty in the stomach. My first foray into saltwater... I needed to continually remind myself to keep my mouth CLOSED. I drank some water in T1 to try to flush some of that out.

I also rinsed myself off pretty well so I didn't sweat saltwater into my eyes on the bike.

Forgot my socks... but I'd been meaning to try riding without socks for a while...so this was the day. (!!!!)

I sometimes lose track of time in transition. Stay more focused and on task. Stop lollygagging!

Awful awful headwind all the way out... but a beautiful tailwind all the way back. I kept my head down and just forged forward into the wind, bargaining with myself that I'd haul A$$ all the way back as a reward. The tailwind would be my reward.

I saw Dumpster as I was riding with the wind... he was on the opposite side riding into the wind....I was going about 22-23 mph when I saw him... I knew he'd try to catch me, so I stepped on the gas and picked it up to 24 mph with the wind. Awesome. He never caught me. Phew. I felt like I was being chased.

My aerobars came loose around mile 30. They were really swively and I had to fight to keep them straight. I didn't WANT to stop at the SAG Mavic tent, but I did, as I wanted to finish strong with the wind, and I didn't think it would be safe to ride that fast with floppy aerobars. So I wasted about a minute or two at the Mavic tent.

One tactical error I made... not bringing my own water onto the bike. I brought 2 Gatorades but no water. I considered water, but decided against it, figuring I'd pick some up on the course, but the first aid station wasn't til mile 10. I'd already eaten a Clif bar by then (solid food @ 15 minutes!) and had to wash it down with Gatorade. EEEEEEW. I did pick up a water bottle, and I shoved it down the back of my shorts. I rode 46 miles with a liter of Aquafina down the back of my shorts. Sort of resting on my butt crack. Glamorous.

Check my equipment better the day before. We assembled our bikes on Friday with the intention of test riding them on Saturday, but we didn't get to due to the standing rainwater.... and bring my own dang water.

Sort of stood around in transition for a moment, holding my bike... until I saw a little booth in the corner labeled "Aquabike Finish"... so I started running again... over to the booth with my bike and I practically accosted the woman at the booth exclaiming "Is THIS the Aquabike finish?" She explained that my time was recorded at the timing mat, but I was to give my chip to her, and collect my finishers medal and complimentary water bottle and towel.

So I got my stuff and stood around some more. I was stuck in transition. The only way out was through the "Run Out" which lead to the the run course.

I wound up climbing over some fences and dodging some runners in order to get to the finisher's tent and the food. Got myself a little leg massage and wandered around. Met up with Chris and Bill.


Defective goggles and a nasty headwind. (!!)

I was concerned about my knee, but it seemed to do just fine. It didn't swell and it's not sore. And that's after 56 miles of ripping my own legs off.


A really nicely organized race. Had a great time, and I was glad to meet all the BT people there... What a cool concept. A beach house full of triathletes. (!!) Sounds like a reality show.

I'd definitely like to do this race again next year. Maybe the quarter or the full Half... not just the Aquabike.