Pre-race routine:
Woke as normal, downed a coffee, a couple crackers, sipped on a gatorade, and took care of business.
Easy Peasy
Event warmup:
None.
Showed up, stood in line forever getting a timing chip, and then waded into the water. Took a couple strokes to fit goggles and cap, but that was it.
Swim:
Started behind a group of Auburn University swimmers. Figured I would attempt to ride their feet as long as possible and see where it gets me. But, I didn't want to go too hard too fast on this race. When the gun started, either I took of WAY slow, or everyone else was WAY fast. I was getting passed quickly. Started to speed up to stay with everyone, but I didn't. I began backing it down a little, while working to stay with a group of swimmers.
(the little dots in the middle are us...the finish is on the other shore)
At one point, I started counting strokes per bridge span to make sure my pacing was consistent, which it was. I knew that once I got to the hump, I'd be okay and I could start turning on the gas and making my moves. I reached the hump at 51'; 3mins behind my halfway goal time. At this point, I started making course corrections away from the bridge to setup the final turn into the finish line. I came up on a group of kayakers and paddle boarders shadowing some swimmers and used them for a visual as I made passes. I fell into a upbeat 3stroke/breath pace and let it go. Passed the swimmers and the paddle boarders and started working to pick off other swimmers.
(making the pass)
Here's where I realized that I had been swimming too close to the bridge and had to start making some serious course corrections to avoid having to swim extra around the boat dock. The whole swim I had been sighting left with the occasional right, but here's where I started looking forward to guage a bit more accurate. I spotted the yellow bouy (0.5mi to go) and got on track. At this point, really started picking it up to pick off the last of the folks I could. I remember making a few passes, especially of a guy doing the backstroke coming in.
(rounded the last bouy. coming home)
I got the course corrected and proceeded in. I noticed it was so shallow that I could've easily stood up and walked it in, but knew that would be much much slower. Plus, I had no need. I swam until my hands dug sand, then stood to run. Obviously, it's hard to run after swimming that long. Slightly dizzy so did a "drunk run" to the finish.
Final Standings:
Age Group 25-29: 5 out 12. Total time 1:48:53
Overall Rank: 55/228.
What would you do differently?:
Go faster, earlier.
I saw 1:21 on the watch, and knew I had a bit to go, so the pipe dream of 1:30 was out. I still thought I could reach the time of 1:38, but saw it leave as I had 0.5mi to go.
Guess I should've gone harder.
Apparently the swim times were slow by 8-10mins from last year, so something affected it, which is the difference of my estimated time...
Final thoughts:
Great race. Definitely something fun to do. Standing on the shore looking out is one thing. Being in the water and swimming it is something totally different.
