OMG, that was an experience!
First off, I'm glad to say that overall I had a great day out there.
The conditions were tough for everyone, but since I particularly don't thrive in the cold am very happy with my race.
The water felt like an ice bath. After about 500-600m, or roughly halfway...the swim ended up being about 1k or 1.1k...the water started to get pretty choppy. Apparently it progressed throughout the event because someone told me the 40+ male categories got their race turned into a duathlon since boats couldnt even control themselves and were hitting swimmers.
I have never been so overjoyed to reach land!!! I fumbled a little on the shore being numb from my knees down. On the bike, it was actually quite pleasant; the trees all around blocked any wind so I was able to get my body temp up to a comfortable place. I felt great on the bike and made up a lot of time from coming out of the water in the middle pack...especially on the flat sections and downhills, man I love riding downhill into corners :) Onto the run...toes were numb for about 2k. It was 3 loops and I was feeling stronger each time. My legs felt like they hadn't just biked. The lead girls were flying and i knew some of them from natl's and collegiate nat's (at least the USA ones) so their runs + awesome swim times, had me standing no chance of making up positions over a 10k. I did want to pee pretty bad (sorry for being so blunt but it's triathlon so yea hehe) but obviously stopping to use the portapotty in an oly takes a lot from your race vs in an ironman or half were the time spent is worth it to feel good for running; so that was kind of annoying. Anyway, I had a great race, and gave all that was in me. Unfortunately the splits aren't up yet as I'm eager to see where I lost the most time. Back to work when I get home, keeping on the focus of progressing the swim the most, secondly the run, and maintaining my bike speed for now.
After the race i changed quickly and had brunch at the best place i have ever eaten in my life bar none- the Fish House. I'd be happy to sit there all my life waiting for the next meal to come haha ;)
Now I'm back at the hotel so thought I'd post a quick report before I take the biggest nap of my life.
Congrats to everyone who not only finished the race, but even started it!
Paying the Piper. Big Run post Big Party
22 hours ago