[FYI: An aquathon is a swim followed directly by a run.]
This was the last of the series, but my first. A new thing for this summer, I hoped to do more, but these always seemed to fall on weeks directly prior to races, or I was out of town. Like all races this year, I was undertrained. The only thing I had going for me was my run fitness, up a bit because of my Chicago Half-Marathon training. My swimming; not so much. The race was laid back. Just walk up and set your stuff down. I got body-marked (number 6!) and went on a short warm up jog, and then got my wetsuit on and eaves-dropped on some conversations. There were quite a few people there that had just finished Ironman Wisconsin and hadn't run since. Some might call them crazy, I call these people die-hards.
Swim
The water was a bit chilly but calm. I paddled around a bit and called myself warmed up. Then things were delayed waiting for a few folks. A couple of quick announcements and the gun went off. I take off running to the water to the right of the counter-clockwise triangle course with the lead group. That was all I could hope for. But I veer constantly. I don't seem to be able to hold a straight line without a big black row of tiles under me. I swim like I'm drunk. I finally settle in and try to find a groove. I'm next two a guy I recognize from the Nat and we're stroke for stroke behind two leaders, one of which is on a relay "for fun." But I can't seem to find a groove. My stroke never lengths and I can't seem to stop sprinting. I guess I'm doing this one all out. I continue on my wayward path veering this way and that and finish strong, fourth out of the water.
Run
I struggled to get my socks on over my wet, sandy feet, then grabbed my shirt and headed out on the run. By the first turn, I lost my swimming partner. Unfamiliar with the course, I thought I missed a turn but it turned out I was okay. My run started out really short and choppy, but lengthened as I got warmed up. I got passed a few times, but held of a couple of people, too. That actually felt good. I did get passed by the first female, but that was right at the end and she won the entire series, so I wasn't too upset about it. I hoped my time would've reflected the hard effort, but the intervals the night before left nothing in the tanks.
Overall, a nice time with some really nice people. I hope to compete more in next year's series.
Swim (1000m): 11:05 (4th OA)
Run: (5K): 23:30 7:23 pace (21st OA)
Total: 35:23, (8th OA, 7th AG)
