2:10:46

When I first signed up for Saturday's triathlon my goal was simply to finish the race upright under my own power. Then, as time passed and training miles increased I set a more ambitious target of finishing in 2 hours. I fell somewhere in between those goals when it was all over, crossing the line in 2:10:46.

In the end I was totally unprepared for how much the swim portion would take out of me. Easily my weakest segment, the swim was far harder and more draining than I could have imagined. Though I met my goal of completing the 750-meter open-water swim in under 30 minutes, I paid the price. The water was hot, registering 86F at the start, and murky. I couldn't get my bearings and panicked when I put my face in the water and couldn't see anything. Getting kicked and elbowed during the first 10 minutes until the field thinned, and cramps in my left leg didn't help, either. I slowly made my way and staggered out of the water in 28:03.

I needed to collect myself in the transition area if I was going to finish the race, so I took my time and slowly dried off and prepared for the bike segment. The distance from the lake to the transition area was about 200 yards, so by the time I made it to my bike, toweled off, sucked down some tri-berry gu and gatorade, and got my shoes, shirt and helmet on, I was looking at a T1 time of 5:16.

The effects of the swim were apparent when I jumped on the bike. I couldn't get comfortable in the saddle until I hit the 7-mile mark, and spun much more slowly than usual until I found my legs. Once I was able to shake the swim from my system and regain some composure I did okay, gaining confidence with each person I passed along the 30K route through the hills of Mecklenburg County and Davidson College. The slow start resulted in missing my 55-minute goal, and I jumped off my bicycle after 1:00:13.

I felt good in the second transition after the bike, despite the 93F temps and 90% humidity. A quick shoe change and drink and I was off and running after 3:24.

The run was unbelievably hot. For the first time all day I felt the heat. My feet were practically melting on the asphalt, and it seemed like I was sucking wet air through a straw every time I tried to draw a deep breath. I slow-shuffled my way through 5 kilometers in 33:52, slowing to a crawl at each of the three water stations. Again I missed my goal of a 30-minute run time, but considering the conditions I wasn't too disappointed. My finish time was almost exactly the same as the time I clocked at my first training race, the Ridgewood Run 5K in May.

Looking back I could have shaved a couple minutes off my transition times, and I could have been better prepared for the swim, but I am happy with my performance.

The three Bishop Moore triathlon amigos: Lynne, Chris, and RNS, before the race.

After the race you can see that the look of apprehension has left our faces, replaced by relief. Lynne and Chris finished the swim in half the time it took me, transitioned in half the time, and were well-rested as they waited for me at the finish line.

The post-race party at Chris' house was epic. Here I spend some quality time with my new best friend, Lynne's son Canyon.

Chris' parents drove up from Florida for the race. Always a fun party guest, Chris' Dad and I had a chance to catch up over some Margaritas and Guinness.

This is the most deceiving picture of the night, as Chris is somehow holding a non-alcoholic beverage.