“Fifteen seconds to start,” the race director called through the bullhorn.
What the heck?
Only 15 seconds before he made this announcement, he had just let us enter the water. Now, about 100 of us had to make our way to the in-water start line, which was about 100 yards from the shoreline. Note to RD: It takes more than 30 seconds to line up 100 athletes at an in-water start.
I tucked my head into the clear water and gave a few fast strokes to get to the buoy line. John was right in front of me. We wound up being in the same wave together because the women and the aquabike competitors were starting together. John and I are NEVER in sight of each other during the swim. At an Ironman, he’s on the front line, and I’m not anywhere near the maul-fest of the front line of swimmers.
My coach had directed me to start right at the buoy line in the front row. Well, John took that position. So, I got right behind him. With just moments to go until the Bassman half iron started, I fantasized about staying on his feet and having the best swim of my life. Team Crazy had the swim hot corner all locked up!
I prepared my mind to swim hard, and not let the rush of the line up get me flustered. The old me would be panic stricken by now. The new me took it in stride.
» Read more: Season Opener: Bassman Race Report


When I started this blog several years ago, my concept was that I would write about my training and racing, and all of the lessons I learned from it. Hence, my tagline: Learning about life while pushing the limits of the body. 







