alexCpaul.com – creator of WhatPaint (now Available on the App Store)

We took the 4:10pm ferry to Liberty Island. Race start was 6:45pm. The race organizers stated in the pre-race meeting that they used an algorithm to figure out the seeding of swimmers. Average mid pack swimmers were seeded in wave 1 and 2. Then faster to slower swimmers were seeded respectively. There was a total of 10 waves, approximately 330 swimmers. I was placed in wave 1. The full distance of the course was slated at 1.2K.

I decided not to use a wetsuit in this event because I need to get use to swimming without the assistance of one especially in non triathlon events. In swim only events wetsuits are seldom used by the masses. If I aspire to be a stronger swimmer I need to swim like one.

Our wave was commissioned to a race designated ferry which would be the point where all swimmers would enter the water. Two swimmers were allowed to jump off the ferry at a time. After jumping into the Hudson we swam to the yellow buoys for our official wave start.

Off we went after the final race countdown. We first headed towards Manhattan to make our way around Liberty Island. The current was definitely stronger in that segment of the race. At times I felt like I was in an endless pool. I just relaxed and knew at some point the swim would become easier. The water was also choppier in that section. I used my tinted Aquasphere goggles, they were okay but still allowed a considerable amount of sunlight in which impaired my sighting. Sunset was still at least an hour away. I did my best to hang on to a draft to gain some “free” speed, but many of those swimmers zoomed away. Sighting was a huge issue as I kept having to stop to catch my bearing. I kept swimming and breathing after every other stroke. After 25 minutes I was swimming my way to the finish and feeling considerably strong.

This is my first only-swim event and it couldn’t have been in a better New York City venue. There was also a post race BBQ but due to the NYRR Sprint Tri in the morning we had to leave immediately after the race. There were two ferries provided to swimmers and their guest to transport us back home; 7:45 and 9:05pm. We were able to catch the 7:45 to Manhattan.

Liberty Island Swim Course

Finish Time: 25:29

158/322 finisher. Algorithm was dead on I guess.

Official Results

Cat 5 riders, that’s me! we were assigned to complete a total of 6 laps around Central Park, while the Cat 4 and  Cat 3 did 7 and 8 laps respectively. There was also a women’s clinic going on today. The CRCA clinics are great I did the Mens clinic earlier this year, highly recommended for new racers such as myself. Goal for todays race was just to remain safe and off the asphalt and do not get dropped. Both were attained while having a blast of riding fun this morning. Made sure to keep taking in nutrition (2 scoops of accelerade and carbo gain) when it was safe to do so. Legs held up great. Race ended with a sprint finish, I did not participate in this finish since my right knee is not a 100% for that amount of pressure and strain.

I am quite satisfied with my performance today at my first official bike race. The adrenaline bike racing provides is incredible. Being alert and trusting riders around you to do the right thing is critical in remaining safe.

Official Results

Lap Times (Averaged 24.2 mph)

1 0:15:17 includes additional 3/4 lap

2 0:15:26

3 0:15:27

4 0:14:59

5 0:15:07

6 0:14:15

Swim went on perfectly as far as I visualized it would be. Best and fastest open water swim so far. However having not practiced enough transitions off a hard swim effort would cost me time in transition. At my bike in T1 I was temporarily stopped by an official because of my extreme visual dizziness. He allowed me to continue after being sufficiently convinced that I was normal and okay to start the bike leg.

Again I was able to nail the bike portion of the Flat as a Pancake course. Coming into this race I was adequately prepared to handle a high threshold bike effort. I finished the bike with an average of 23.4 mph.

Transition was a bit slower here than I wanted but again my hard efforts leading to transition wiped out my legs.

My 5k running legs were absent for the better half of the race. I was able to push through and finish the run at a 6:47 pace slightly slower than predicted and last years 6:39 pace per mile.

Overall this is my personal best at Flat as a Pancake. Again better practice needs to be put into place to nail faster transitions post hard swim and bike efforts.

Video shot and edited by Anh

Overall finish time: 1:03:12

5th in my Age Group

Official Results

I was extremely happy and proud to help a fellow friend of mine run his first 4 mile race today. The race took place in Central Park, a venue widely used by the New York Road Runners for much of their races. I helped him train and get prepared for this event for the last month or so. He was able to run practically the entire 4 miles with some short walks at aid stations and at a hill close to the finish. Days like these when I’m able to share the fun of running with others is extremely satisfying.